| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 53.85 |
| Liaison | Ruairi O'Mahony |
| Submission Date | May 1, 2015 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Massachusetts Lowell
OP-13: Cleaning Products Purchasing
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.25 / 1.00 |
Michael
Vayda Provost & Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs Office of the Provost |
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indicates that no data was submitted for this field
None
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:
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None
The green cleaning product purchasing policy, directive, or guidelines:
UMass Lowell uses a third party vendor for part of their housekeeping services, while the remaining services are done with UMass Lowell staff. The requirement to use exclusively Green Seal products is identified specifically in the third party vendor package.
The bid package states the following:
Chemical Products - All products must be Green Seal Certified, UL, EPA, USDA rated and OSHA approved, where applicable. Vendor should furnish applicable test data and descriptive literature for all products. Vendor must be certified by chemical manufacturer as an authorized distributor.
The Green Housekeeping Policy states the following:
Section C: Cleaning Equipment
• All equipment meets the requirements of the GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified program.
• Vacuum cleaners meet the requirements of the Carpet & Rug Institute “Green Label” Testing Program- Vacuum Cleaner Criteria and are capable of capturing 96% of particulates 0.3 microns in size and operate with a sound level less than 70dBA.
• Hot water extraction equipment for deep cleaning carpets is capable of removing sufficient moisture such that carpets can dry in less than 24 hours.
• Powered maintenance equipment including floor buffers, burnishers and automatic scrubbers is equipped with vacuums, guards and/or other devices for capturing fine particulates, and shall operate with a sound level less than 70dBA.
• Automated scrubbing machines are equipped with variable-speed feed pumps to optimize the use of cleaning fluids.
• Battery-powered equipment is equipped with environmentally preferable gel batteries.
• Where appropriate, active micro fiber technology is used to reduce cleaning chemical consumption and prolong life of disposable scrubbing pads.
• Powered equipment is ergonomically designed to minimize vibration, noise and user fatigue.
• Equipment has rubber bumpers to reduce potential damage to building surfaces.
• Records will be kept for all powered housekeeping equipment to document the date of equipment purchase and all repair and maintenance activities and include vendor cut sheets for each type of equipment in use.
Section D: Cleaning Products and Materials
Sustainable purchasing for cleaning materials and products, disposable janitorial paper products and trash bags is required. Cleaning product and material purchases include building purchases for use by in house staff or used by outsourced service providers. Products and materials must meet one of the following sustainability criteria:
• Cleaning products that meet the requirements of the GREENGUARD Indoor Air Quality Certified program.
• Cleaning products that meet the Green Seal GS-37 standard if applicable, OR if GS-37 is not applicable (e.g., for products such as carpet cleaners, floor finishes or strippers), use products that comply with the California Code of Regulations maximum allowable VOC levels.
• Disposable janitorial paper products and trash bags that meet the minimum requirements of U.S. EPA's Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines.
UMass Lowell also has a Green Housekeeping Policy. The intent of the policy is to "Reduce exposure of building occupants and maintenance personnel to potentially hazardous chemical, biological and particle contaminants, which adversely impact air quality, health, building finishes, building systems, and the environment. Also, reduce the environmental impacts of cleaning products, disposable janitorial paper products and trash bags."
None
A brief description of steps the institution has taken to ensure that the purchasing policy, directives, or guidelines are followed:
The use of sustainable cleaning systems and cleaning products is a requirement under the purchasing policy. UML also includes the use of sustainable cleaning products in its bid packages for outsourced cleaning contracts.
None
Does the institution wish to pursue Part 2 of this credit (expenditures on cleaning and janitorial products)?:
No
None
Expenditures on Green Seal and/or UL Environment (EcoLogo) certified cleaning and janitorial products:
791,000
US/Canadian $
None
Total expenditures on cleaning and janitorial products:
671,420.01
US/Canadian $
None
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?:
No
None
A brief description of the institution’s low-impact, ecological cleaning program:
NA
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:
NA
None
The website URL where information about the institution’s green cleaning initiatives is available:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
UMass Lowell's green cleaning is not available on-line. The bid package is located in the Purchasing Department.
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.