Green Clean Schls Healthy Cleaning fr Students, Staff and the Envirnment Green Cleaning in Schl Fd Service Prgrams GreenCleanSchls.rg GreenCleanSchls.rg Healthy Schls Campaign Green Cleaning in Schl Fd Service Prgrams
Green Cleaning in Schl Fd Service Prgrams In fd service, as in all areas f a schl, meeting stringent public health and sanitatin requirements is a tp pririty. Health and safety shuld never be cmprmised. Enacting a green cleaning prgram means using envirnmentally preferable prducts and prcedures t achieve that gal. It als means prtecting health withut harming the envirnment. The fllwing guidelines address specific green cleaning cnsideratins related t fd service in schls. Remember that transitining t green cleaning fr fd service is nt an all-r-nthing prcess. A few small changes in incremental steps can prduce significant benefits. Step One: Get Started Sme schls may find that the best way t start is t simply phase in green cleaning prducts. Other schls may decide t enact a cleaning plan and frmal plicy. Whichever way yu chse t begin, yu ll want t ensure that yur prcedure changes are cnsistent with lcal health regulatins first. Reach ut t yur lcal department f health if yu have any questins. Wh s In Charge? A green cleaning prgram in fd service starts with establishing wh is respnsible. That means designating a leading party in either the kitchen crew r the custdial staff. In sme schls, cks are respnsible fr cleaning their wn statins and custdial crews nly clean the flrs at the end f the day. N matter hw respnsibilities are divided, it s a gd idea t have written dcumentatin in a chart that utlines wh is cleaning each area f the kitchen. Training Matters Only prfessinally trained staff shuld be invlved in cleaning. Yu will need t educate all staff abut the reasns fr green cleaning in additin t specific training prcedures fr prducts and equipment. One f the mst imprtant lessns fr yur fd service staff is hand hygiene best practices. Find ur guide t Green Cleaning and Hand Hygiene here: http://greencleanschls.rg/wp- cntent/uplads/hsc-green-cleaning-guide- Hand-Hygiene.pdf. Make sure that service staff members are using all prducts and equipment as intended by the manufacturers. SDSs shuld be made available and reviewed with all staff members. In many states, OSHA guidelines must als be fllwed. Prducts and prcedures shuld be utlined n a chart near wrk statins and clr cded fr ease f use. Fr example, instructins n stainless steel washing culd be in a green fnt and bttles fr the apprpriate chemical culd use a green label. Dn t hesitate t cntact yur prduct vendrs, which shuld have training materials and instructins fr use. Step Tw: Use Green Cleaning Prducts The fllwing recmmended prduct guidelines fall int tw categries: prducts fr nn-fd cntact areas and prducts fr fd cntact areas. A general rule fr purchasing green prducts in any f the fllwing categries is t chse cncentrates ver ready-t-use prducts and t select thse with the least amunt f packaging. General Cleaners fr Nn-Fd Cntact Areas Prducts fr nn-fd cntact areas in the fd service department are generally n different than thse used in ther parts f the schls. The best green prducts reduce health risks and have limited envirnmental impact withut cmprmising effectiveness. GreenCleanSchls.rg Healthy Schls Campaign Green Cleaning in Schl Fd Service Prgrams
Third Party Certificatins Prducts that are certified by respected third parties such as Green Seal, EcLg r Design fr the Envirnment are recmmended fr cleaning hard surfaces, glass, flrs and ther general purpse cleaning. These certificatins are a great place t start when lking fr greener chices. Mst imprtantly, they help yu weed ut prducts that simply claim t be green frm thse prducts that actually are green. When Certificatins Aren t Available Sme prduct categries are nt subject t third party certificatins. Fr the fllwing prduct categries, we recmmend lking at prduct attributes rather than specific certificatins. Stainless Steel Cleaners Stainless steel is a surface that must be cleaned regularly t prevent bacterial grwth. Cnventinal stainless steel cleaners and plishes leave a shiny appearance, but they als leave an ily residue that attracts dirt. Sme f these cnventinal cleaners are aersls that cntribute t pr indr air quality. It is best t clean stainless steel surfaces with a third-party certified all-purpse cleaner r glass cleaner. Using an all-purpse r glass cleaner rather than a specific plishing agent will simplify purchasing and reduce yur verall chemical inventry. Micrfiber prducts are an effective green ptin fr cleaning stainless steel. Lime and Scale Remvers Lime and scale remvers require acid t remve mineral depsits frm sinks. Sme ice machines may als require cleaning with lime remvers if the water is hard with minerals. Prducts with a neutral ph (clse t 7) are recmmended ver thse with an extreme ph (clse t 1 r 14). Cleaners fr Fd-Cntact and Preparatin Areas When cleaning areas that cme int cntact with fd, sanitizatin becmes a key cnsideratin. Be mindful that lcal health rules determine what cunts as a fd cntact surface area. In sme districts, any place where fd culd theretically tuch, such as tables and trays, shuld be sanitized. Remember that nly fully trained prfessinals shuld be invlved in sanitizatin. Sanitizers and Disinfectants Smetimes these tw terms are used interchangeably, but they are technically, and legally, different. The actual legal definitins f these terms are: Disinfectant A prduct that cmpletely destrys all specific test rganisms in 10 minutes under cnditins f the AOAC Dilutin Test. Sanitizer A prduct that destrys 99.999 percent f specified test bacteria within 30 secnds under cnditins f the Official Detergent Sanitizer Test, als knwn as the Weber and Black Test. As a general rule, disinfectants are used in settings like hspitals that need 100 percent certainty, and sanitizers are used fr effective safety that takes real-wrld time requirements int accunt. Always check with yur lcal department f health t find ut the regulatins yu shuld fllw and which type f prduct yu shuld be using in yur fdservice area. Drain Cleaners Cnventinal drain cleaners are highly acidic r highly alkaline chemicals used t cut the il and grease caught by kitchen drains and grease traps. These crrsive cleaners, at the extreme end f the ph scale, can seriusly burn eyes and skin. Envirnmentally preferable drain cleaners are bi-based, using nn-pathgenic micrbes less harmful t human health and the envirnment. Hwever, drain and grease trap maintenance using these cleaners is nly ne cmpnent f a healthy, nging maintenance prgram. Autmatic injectin systems emit healthy bacteria at timed intervals t ensure clear drains. If stppages ccur, trained maintenance persnnel shuld use mechanical remval when apprpriate. Cleaning slutins that rely n GreenCleanSchls.rg Healthy Schls Campaign Green Cleaning in Schl Fd Service Prgrams
bilgical agents shuld be applied at the end f a shift. Flr Care in Fd Preparatin Areas Flrs in fd preparatin areas tend t be prus, unglazed tiles. These tiles prevent slipping when wet. Prducts used t clean this type f flr must be capable f remving grease and debris trapped in the pres and grut. Althugh there are nt many certified prducts fr this type f flr care, recmmended flr care prducts use enzymer perxide-based frmulas that effectively rid prus surfaces f dirt and grease. Certified degreasers r all purpse cleaners can be used effectively. Fr intermittent cleaning, certified degreasers r all-purpse cleaners are effective. Steam vapr cleaning systems may als wrk well n these surfaces. Warewashing Detergent There are currently n bradly recgnized green certificatins fr ware washing. When chsing warewashing detergent, cnsult yur vendr fr guidance n which prducts are cmpatible with yur machine. Recmmended ware washing detergents are nn-caustic and are phsphate-free. Phsphates are discuraged because they tend t seep int water systems and cause algae blms that verwhelm natural ecsystems. Phsphates are nw banned fr use in cleaning prducts by nearly half f ur states. Regardless f the prduct selected, prtin cntrl, either thrugh metering devices r prepackaged units, plays an imprtant rle in minimizing prduct and water waste. Manual Detergents fr Use in Three- Cmpartment Sinks Recmmended detergents specific t manual cleaning in three-cmpartment sinks have a neutral ph and n flash pint. They leave little residue, are nn-caustic and als are bidegradable. Cntrlled dispensing systems r packaged units fr prtin and dilutin cntrl are als recmmended. Fllw wash, rinse, sanitize" prcedures when manually washing dishes. Wash with water that is as ht as can be withstd. Then rinse in clean water and, finally, sanitize. Dishes shuld air dry befre they are put away; use f drying rags can lead t cntaminatin. If yur schl des nt have a triple sink, fllw lcal bard f health regulatins. Fr the sanitizing cmpartment, there are a limited number f ptins. While bleach is an effective sanitizer, it is very caustic and can erde stainless steel surfaces as well as burn the skin and eyes. Quaternary Ammnia Cmpunds may be less caustic, but still carry their wn health risks, including being an asthmagen and being a respiratry sensitizer. S when wrking with these cmpunds, emplyees shuld clsely fllw manufacturer directins, use n mre prduct than necessary, and use persnal prtective equipment when necessary. Fd Service Sanitizers Sanitizers are critical t reducing bacterial cntaminatin risk in sinks r machines. All such sanitizers must be registered with the U.S. Envirnmental Prtectin Agency (EPA). Sanitizers allwed fr cleaning fd service areas are listed in the EPA s 40 C.F.R. 180.940 (available at http://edcket.access.gp.gv/ cfr_2004/julqtr/pdf/40cfr180.940.pdf.) As a general rule fr selecting envirnmentally preferable sanitizers, cnsider ph levels, which refer t hw acidic r alkaline a prduct is. Thse with a neutral ph (clse t 7) are recmmended ver thse with an extreme ph (clser t 1 r 14). Remember, using cleaning prducts prperly and with the crrect dilutin is just as imprtant as buying the right prducts. Always check the manufacturer s specificatins and testing parameters. Be sure t keep SDS sheets n hand fr all prducts. Step Three: Intrduce Green Equipment & Supplies Green equipment and supplies save energy and reduce harmful chemicals and water usage. T extend the life f equipment and supplies, fd service staff shuld always be trained in prper maintenance and care. Here are a few envirnmentally preferable ptins t cnsider. GreenCleanSchls.rg Healthy Schls Campaign Green Cleaning in Schl Fd Service Prgrams
Cntrlled dispensing and mnitring systems, r pre-measured packs, can track efficient prduct usage and machine maintenance. Clr-cded cleaning systems help prevent waste, imprper prduct usage and crss-cntaminatin. Micrfiber clths reduce chemical use, clean and plish effectively and rinse clean fr easy reuse. Micrfiber may be mre expensive per clth, but higher quality and greater durability make it mre cst effective lng-term. Spray and vac cleaning systems autmatically dilute and apply a degreasing slutin t remve grease frm varius surfaces. The built-in vacuum then efficiently remves and hlds the emulsified sils while leaving flr surfaces dry t prevent slipping. The greatest envirnmental impact frm warewashing and laundry machines is the energy used fr heating water. Mnitring and managing this energy use can save time and mney while benefitting the envirnment. Be sure that wash rags are cleaned r dispsed f regularly. ffer a mre envirnmentally beneficial chice t traditinal petrleum-based wares. Bibased fd service wares are made frm varius renewable resurces, such as crn, sy, sugar cane waste and perennial grasses. Nt all bibased prducts are equally preferable. Prducts created with sustainable attributes in mind will have a smaller impact n the envirnment. Infrmatin n chsing paper twels, napkins, janitrial wipes and trash can liners can be fund in the Intrduce Green Equipment and Supplies sectin f Five Steps t Green Cleaning in Schls: http://greencleanschls.rg/resurces/5- steps-t-green-cleaning-in-schls. Step Fur: Adpt Green Cleaning Prcedures When we talk abut prcedures, we mean hw yur staff is cleaning the schl. This culd include the way they perate machinery, the methd they use t scrub flrs and wipe surfaces, hw ften they disinfect and they manage recycling and waste. When it cmes t fd service, green cleaning prcedures shuld include: Fd Service Ware Reusable ware is always the best, greenest and healthiest ptin. Reusable fd service ware requires far fewer material resurces, uses much less energy, and generates much lwer levels f air and water pllutants and less slid waste in its prductin, use, and dispsal than dispsable prducts. The use f fssil fuelbased plastic fd ware has serius envirnmental and public health ramificatins that make it undesirable fr a green cleaning prgram that has the gal f prmting health. Bi-based dispsables, made frm crnstarch, ptat starch r wheat, have emerged as an alternative t traditinal prducts. These prducts als have an envirnmental advantage if they are cmpsted; hwever, they may require special cmpsting facilities. While reusable wares are the best chice fr the envirnment, bi-based cnsumable wares Training staff in disinfectin, sanitizatin and cleaning Wearing glves during cleaning. Labelling r clr-cding glves can help prevent cnfusin. Using disinfectants and/r sanitizers required by lcal and federal regulatins fr fd cntact surfaces. Cleaning and sanitizing tuch pints (e.g., faucet handles, drinking funtains) at least daily, mre frequently if needed. Frequently mnitring chemical dilutin and handling equipment. Prper dilutin and handling limits expsure t chemicals, prevents waste and saves mney. Increasing cleaning if the use f the fd service area increases. Scheduling regular equipment cleaning and maintenance t minimize cstly repairs. Remving residual fd in emptied waste cntainers, lading dcks and all ther areas t avid pests. GreenCleanSchls.rg Healthy Schls Campaign Green Cleaning in Schl Fd Service Prgrams
Sharing the respnsibility fr managing waste by encurage students, teachers and staff t rinse fd and drink cntainers befre placing in recycling receptacles. Cvering all fd waste cntainers, emptying cntainers daily (r mre frequently if necessary), alng with daily cleaning and sanitizing f cntainers. Asking prduct vendrs fr instructins and training n hw t prperly clean specialty areas like prtin scales, ice machines, vens, hds, slicers and freezers. Taking care f ice machines, because ice is a fd! cmpstable. Schls with gardens can take advantage f vegetable and fruit scraps t start a cmpsting prgram, r, if near a farming cmmunity, schls can arrange a fd cmpsting prgram with lcal farmers. Remember, fd safety is the number ne pririty. Green cleaning prcedures are intended t help hard-wrking fd service staff prtect the health f all staff, students and teachers. Step Five: Share the Respnsibility Sharing the respnsibility is ne f best ways t ensure the success f yur green cleaning prgram. And in n ther area f the schl d students have a mre bvius rle in cleaning up after themselves than in the fd service area. That makes fd service ne f the easiest places share the green cleaning respnsibility with students in a tangible and effective way. In additin, teachers have a rle in educating students abut respnsible behavirs. While students shuld never be expected t wipe dwn a surface, they d have great cntrl when it cmes t hand washing as well as waste management and recycling. It is yur staff s rle t encurage students t clean up after themselves and teach them hw they can prmte a healthy cafeteria envirnment. This can be dne with signage, annuncements and ther creative prmtins. Waste-Free Lunch Waste-free lunch prgrams are an excellent way t get the entire schl invlved. Many schls have adpted waste-free lunch days, in which students are challenged t bring in lunches that are cmpletely recyclable, reusable r GreenCleanSchls.rg Healthy Schls Campaign Green Cleaning in Schl Fd Service Prgrams