| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 65.35 |
| Liaison | Christa Rieck |
| Submission Date | Nov. 23, 2015 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Houston
OP-13: Cleaning Products Purchasing
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.27 / 1.00 |
Does the institution have an institution-wide stated preference to purchase third party certified cleaning and janitorial products?:
A copy of the green cleaning product purchasing policy, directive, or guidelines:
The green cleaning product purchasing policy, directive, or guidelines:
Facilities Management has expanded its research to identify additional preferred (green) products and materials for cleaning use. An FM staff member is designated to manage materials research, including petitioning input from architects contracted with UH.
This person also analyzes the wisdom for FM of establishing a purchasing preference for Green Seal© or EcoLogo© products. He is responsible for developing a system for tracking FM experiences with preferred materials and their prices.
A brief description of steps the institution has taken to ensure that the purchasing policy, directives, or guidelines are followed:
In the University of Houston-Facilities Management Profile- Material Management has been listed as one of 10 priorities of the department for FY 14 & 15. “Material Management- Select and use materials to reduce hazard risk without compromising desired level of quality of service.”
In the fall of 2013, the University of Houston hired a company to do an assessment of the Custodial Service Program. This assessment also included recommendations for the standardizing of cleaning chemicals. One of the criteria that was used to determine the vendor for our cleaning supplies was “Comprehensive Sustainability Solutions and Support".
Does the institution wish to pursue Part 2 of this credit (expenditures on cleaning and janitorial products)?:
Expenditures on Green Seal and/or UL Environment (EcoLogo) certified cleaning and janitorial products:
Total expenditures on cleaning and janitorial products:
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?:
A brief description of the institution’s low-impact, ecological cleaning program:
Although none of the providers of Custodial Services have been certified by a third party, all adhere to standards laid out by these agencies and products: Buckeye (handsoap), Ecolab (Low Maintenance and Phazer Floor Finish, peroxide glass and surface cleaner, bathroom cleaners, floor cleaners), Compact (tissue), Green Seal Certified Low Odor Floor Finish, Revitalize Carpet PreSpray and Extraction Green Seal Certified, EcoLogo towels and tissues.
A copy of the sections of the cleaning contract(s) that reference certified green products:
The sections of the cleaning contract(s) that reference certified green products:
See attachment entitled -RFP- Green Cleaning products (section 1.3.4.11). This is a standard clause in our RFP for Custodial Services
The website URL where information about the institution’s green cleaning initiatives is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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.