Northwestern University
OP-13: Cleaning Products Purchasing

Wherever feasible, cleaning products and materials, including hard floor and carpet care products, used inside and outside Northwestern University facilities shall meet the requirements of LEED® 2009 for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance™ IEQ Credit 3.3: Green Cleaning, Purchase of Sustainable Cleaning Products and Materials as described below. Product types subject to these requirements include, but are not limited to, bio-enzymatic cleaners, hard floor cleaners, carpet cleaners, general purpose cleaners, specialty cleaners, odor control, disinfectants, disposable janitorial paper products and trash bags, and hand soaps.

To ensure the success of the Building Specific Cleaning Plan, the Aramark front‐line staff must have a communications strategy with regard to cleaning personnel and facility managers. The communications plan shall be developed in conjunction with building owners, facility managers, and building occupants. The Office of Sustainability and Residential Services are jointly responsible for ensuring the implementation of and compliance with our Green Cleaning Policy, by working with Aramark and conducting annual program audits.

We incorporated green seal product chemicals, certified equipment, and green cleaning supplies in our green cleaning program when we began providing Aramark custodial services in 2012. Over the last two years we've transitioned to a Blue Cleaning® program. There are three elements of a Blue Cleaning® program: Technology, Training and Touch. We use multiple “Technologies” that reduce chemicals. Our “Training” is a key component and requires a unique cultural change approach with our staff and campus community. There is a greater need for “Touch” by providing engagement and awareness opportunities to our faculty, staff and students by communicating our policies' impact on their health, wellness and safety. Our Blue Cleaning® program strategy is to continue to eliminate chemicals and create the most environmentally responsible approach to cleaning. We currently generate Electrically Activated Water (EAW) on site for cleaning, sanitizing and disinfecting. This allows us to reduce the use of harsh chemicals, which reduces the impact on waste disposal and chemical odors. Used on surfaces and floors, EAW provides an effective, environmentally friendly cleaning solution for the campus while protecting staff from handling and storing harsh chemicals. The program has implemented the use of EAW for cleaning on 30-40% of the square footage on campus. Our auto-scrubber equipment for floor and carpet care is equipped with EcH2O Technology, an EAW technology utilized for daily floor maintenance. Microfiber towels and mops are used throughout the campus to improve quality and reduce the amount of chemicals and water used in traditional mop and bucket programs. Scrub brushes are used on equipment when at all possible to reduce the use of floor pads. 100% recycled material paper and liners are utilized for disposable supplies. A green certified hand soap is used in all restrooms.

The following language is included in our ITB (invitation to bid) template: “When applicable, products and services offered should be of superior environmental performance based on energy use, manufacturing, and end of use disposal – Examples include Energy Star for appliances and electronics and Energy Star and/or EPEAT for computers, GreenSeal certified products for cleaning supplies, and other products which have undergone third-party certification for superior environmental performance.” “Environmental performance of the supplier and/or producer will also be considered. This includes internal processes such as waste prevention, waste reduction, pollution prevention, clean air and water programs, re-use of materials, minimization of scrap material, low-emission delivery vehicles and other green factory initiatives. NU takes into account a vendor’s commitment to sustainability.”