The University of British Columbia
OP-13: Cleaning Products Purchasing

UBC Building Operations has a Green Cleaning Program (http://www.buildingoperations.ubc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Green-Cleaning-Program1.pdf) that encompasses a number of comprehensive green cleaning/housekeeping initiatives that all of our staff are trained in. These initiatives are being implemented and incorporated into the everyday operations of custodial services to reduce the environmental impact of cleaning products.

UBC Custodial has implemented an appropriate staffing plan that is adequate to meet the cleanliness requirements set by the UBC Building Operations Custodial Green Cleaning Policy. Training for the cleaning staff at UBC Custodial must address the use, maintenance, disposal and recycling of their cleaning chemicals, dispensing equipment and packaging. UBC Custodial has developed a Building Service Worker Training Manual which provides details on UBC’s vision for a clean environment, policies and practices for cleaning staff, health and safety issues, information about equipment and supplies and standard cleaning and operating procedures (including low environmental impact practices and products). Full procedures are outlined at: http://www.buildingoperations.ubc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Green-Cleaning-Program1.pdf.

UBC Building Operations’ Green Cleaning Program (http://www.buildingoperations.ubc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Green-Cleaning-Program1.pdf) encompasses a number of comprehensive green cleaning/housekeeping initiatives that all of our staff are trained in. These initiatives are being implemented and incorporated into the everyday operations of custodial services to reduce the environmental impact of cleaning products. These initiatives include switching to: • Non-toxic Eco Logo certified cleaning products (or approved alternates) in all spaces to ensure a healthy indoor environment for staff and visitors, and a safe working environment for staff, faculty and students. Current Eco Logo and/or eco-friendly cleaning products used on campus include: neutral general purpose cleaner, disinfectant, cream cleaning for porcelain cleaning, mild acid toilet bowl cleaner, heavy duty degreaser • Portion controlled Green Seal certified chemical dispensing units which are mounted to the custodial room walls in approximately 98% of academic buildings on campus. This helps reduce the amount of chemicals used by ensuring proper dilution. • Value plus-degradable garbage bags • 100% recycled paper products in efficient jumbo size rolls, which reduces the time taken to replenish the paper dispensing units • Ergonomically designed equipment and tools that are lighter and easier to use, and also reduce the amount of stretching, bending and lifting required of staff • Micro fibre cleaning cloths that are color coded to eliminate cross contamination issues. These cloths have been proven to pick up twice the bacteria and dirt as common hand wipes. Cloths used in washrooms are never used in any other areas of the facility • A wet mopping system that also uses this color coded system to reduce or eliminate the risk of cross-contamination • A dry mopping system that uses an electrostatic charge to magnetically attract dust and dirt. As these mops actually attract dust, it allows us to clean more surface area than any other disposal, dry dusting system • A wax applicator system that has reduced the amount of floor finish usage around campus. Any conventional floor finish can be used in this system thus removing the need for a mop and bucket combination and eliminating the wastage and disposal of unused floor finish • Autoscrubbers that are designed to reduce detergent and water waste and operate well below the requirements for sound levels set by LEED-EB and GS-42, these models have received NFSI certification for reducing the possibility of slip and fall accidents

UBC Custodial is dedicated to using low environmental impact cleaning systems in all buildings. This includes: chemical dilution systems, cleaning materials, cleaning products, hand soaps, cleaning equipment, and floor maintenance activities. UBC Custodial has committed to using Green Seal or Ecologo cleaning products. UBC Custodial trains their staff in these areas to ensure the proper implementation of all systems. Purchasing criteria are outlined at: http://www.buildingoperations.ubc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Green-Cleaning-Program1.pdf. The following criteria are adhered to at UBC Custodial with respect to disposable janitorial paper products and trash bags: • U.S. EPA Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines for Janitorial Paper and Plastic Trash Can Liners. • Green Seal GS-09 for Paper Towels and Napkins. • Green Seal GS-01 for Tissue Paper. • EcoLogo/ Environmental Choice CCD-082 for Toilet Tissue. • EcoLogo/Environmental Choice CCD-086 for Hand Towels. • Janitorial paper products derived from rapidly renewable resources or made from tree-free fibers. All cleaning products conform to one or more of the following standards or criteria: Cleaning products: • Green Seal GS-37 for General-Purpose, Bathroom, Glass, and Carpet Cleaners used for Industrial and Institutional Purposes. • EcoLogo/Environmental Choice CCD-110 for Cleaning and Degreasing Compounds. • EcoLogo/Environmental Choice CCD-146 for Hard Surface Cleaners. • EcoLogo/Environmental Choice CCD-148 for Carpet and Upholstery Care.