Pomona College
IN-4: Innovation 4

Toxins reduction

Pomona’s innovative green cleaning program, fertilizer reduction efforts, and furnishing purchases have together significantly reduced the campus’ use of hazardous and toxic materials. The College’s Housekeeping, Grounds, Maintenance, and Capital Planning Departments have worked for several years to transform the use of chemicals on campus.

Since 2008, Pomona’s Housekeeping Department has engaged in the purchase of green-certified cleaning chemicals and supplies, including 100% recycled toilet paper and paper towels, the use of reusable micro-fiber cloths washed in a high-efficiency EnergyStar washing machine, a reduction of the use of aerosols on campus, and an entirely Green Seal or EcoLogo certified stock of cleaning chemicals (excepting floor finishes). In 2010, the Department acquired 53 Activeion Ionator chemical-free cleaning units, which use ordinary tap water as a replacement for general surface cleaner and a selection of other cleaning chemicals. These units are used across campus and six units are made available to students for personal cleaning at the Resident Advisor desks.

In the past three years, the Grounds Department has almost entirely eliminated the use of synthetic fertilizers on campus (including an 86 percent reduction from 2008-09 to 2009-10) and has practiced Integrated Pest Management techniques across campus, which drastically reduces the use of toxic pesticides and herbicides across campus. Fertilizers are used only on athletic turf surfaces, and only as frequently as necessary. Organic fertilizers are used whenever possible, and fertilizers are used only during times of plant uptake and not when heavy rain is expected.

In designing new facilities and renovating others, the Maintenance and Capital Planning staff have committed to carpets, furniture, paints, sealants, and other items with low incidences of volatile organic compound off-gassing (low-VOC). While these are common choices to make in new LEED-certified facilities, Pomona’s Facilities and Campus Services Department has committed to making these choices for all renovation, retrofit, and remodeling work done on campus. The campus has 1.4 million square-feet of built area in 63 buildings, including 12 residence halls.

Together, these programs and commitments not only represent a reduction of toxins released into the environment, but also a significant improvement in indoor environmental quality and in the environmental working conditions of campus staff and contractors. Pomona includes “Increased environmental health for all members of the community” as one of its sustainability-related goals, and each of these programs follow in suit as part of the campus’ commitment to reducing campus toxins.