| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 78.48 |
| Liaison | Patrick McKee |
| Submission Date | June 20, 2016 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Connecticut
OP-13: Cleaning Products Purchasing
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.85 / 1.00 |
Eric
Grulke Sustainability Coordinator Office of Environmental Policy |
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indicates that no data was submitted for this field
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Does the institution have an institution-wide stated preference to purchase third party certified cleaning and janitorial products?:
Yes
None
A copy of the green cleaning product purchasing policy, directive, or guidelines:
None
The green cleaning product purchasing policy, directive, or guidelines:
Substitute House Bill No. 6396
Public Act No. 07-100
AN ACT CONCERNING THE USE OF CLEANING PRODUCTS IN STATE BUILDINGS.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:
Section 1. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2007) On or after October 1, 2007, no person shall use a cleaning product inside a building owned by the state unless such cleaning product meets guidelines or environmental standards set by a national or international environmental certification program approved by the Department of Administrative Services, in consultation with the Commissioner of Environmental Protection. Such cleaning product shall, to the maximum extent possible, minimize the potential harmful impact on human health and the environment. For purposes of this section, "cleaning product" does not include any disinfectant, disinfecting cleaner, sanitizer or any other antimicrobial product regulated by the federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, 7 USC 136 et seq.
Approved June 11, 2007
http://www.cga.ct.gov/2007/ACT/PA/2007PA-00100-R00HB-06396-PA.htm
In compliance with the Governor’s Executive Order No. 14 and Connecticut Public Act No. 07-100, on October 1, 2007, UConn was mandated to switch to Green Seal certified cleaning products whenever available through vendors. We encourage offices to comply with these laws when buying small items like desktop cleaners. Central Stores stocks green cleaning products and if you are going to purchase items outside the UConn system, look for products that are Green Seal Certified. It used to be that these cleaners were more expensive than conventional cleaners, but this does not hold true anymore.
http://ecohusky.uconn.edu/docs/progress/guidelines%202014.pdf
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A brief description of steps the institution has taken to ensure that the purchasing policy, directives, or guidelines are followed:
The University uses green cleaning products, in compliance with Govenor Jodi Rell's Executive Order 14 in 2006 and CT Public Act 07-100 from 2007.
An assessment of cleaning supplies was conducted in 2007 and numerous items were phased out in compliance with the above directives. Where available, Green Seal products were selected.
The Office of Environmental Policy created a “How-To.” The How-To enlightens the University community on how to be a green cleaner, how to purchase green cleaning products, and how to make green cleaning products that are biodegradable, low in toxicity levels, and low in their volume of packaging. The How-To ensures that the University’s purchasing policy, directives, and guidelines on Green Cleaning are followed campus-wide.
None
Does the institution wish to pursue Part 2 of this credit (expenditures on cleaning and janitorial products)?:
Yes
None
Expenditures on Green Seal and/or UL Environment (EcoLogo) certified cleaning and janitorial products:
1,118,931
US/Canadian $
None
Total expenditures on cleaning and janitorial products:
1,405,396
US/Canadian $
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Has the institution's main cleaning or housekeeping department(s) and/or contractor(s) adopted a Green Seal or ISSA certified low-impact, ecological (“green”) cleaning program?:
Yes
None
A brief description of the institution’s low-impact, ecological cleaning program:
The University of Connecticut is committed to improving air quality and reducing hazard related to cleaning products at its campuses. These products must be low toxicity, biodegradable, have a low life cycle energy use, contain low volatile organic compound (VOC) content, and come in reduced packaging.
None
A copy of the sections of the cleaning contract(s) that reference certified green products:
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None
The sections of the cleaning contract(s) that reference certified green products:
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None
The website URL where information about the institution’s green cleaning initiatives is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
The University of Connecticut Sustainability Progress Report features a section on Green Purchasing. The University only purchases cleaning products with low impacts on the environment and on indoor air quality.
http://ecohusky.uconn.edu/docs/about/2014%20Sustainability%20Progress%20Report.pdf
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.