GREEN CHEMICAL SOLUTIONS GREEN CLEANING FOR HEALTH.

GREEN CHEMICAL SOLUTIONS GREEN CLEANING FOR HEALTH.

It s the cornerstone of everything we do. Many cleaning products contain carcinogens (known to cause cancer), asthmagens, and substances associated with reproductive organ damage, birth defects, kidney damage, neurological impacts and other serious health effects. Janitorial workers also experience very high rates of occupational asthma 625 cases per million workers in one study, or more than twice the rate for any other occupation. The focus of this guide is to help you implement a comprehensive green cleaning program. Going green is about more than using certain products or equipment! For information on green cleaning product specifications and certification, or for tips on contracting for green cleaning with outside cleaning services see our website at www.greenchemicalsolutions.com or call our green certified experts at 610.825.1060. Why Green Cleaners? There is a connection between cleaning and improved health outcomes. The janitorial industry has recognized that disinfecting, cleaning and preventing germs, dirt and grime, does not have to be harmful to the environment. Armed with a wide array of effective and economical products and processes, Green Chemical Solutions is leading the way to green cleaning - cleaning for health. New, less toxic cleaning products, are becoming an integral component of a greener environment by: 1. reducing stress on the building s occupants, 2. improving safety and, 3. contributing to improved ecological health. Cleaning products are a major contributor to indoor air quality issues in closed environments. Many contain high levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which can give rise to respiratory irritation, headaches and other symptoms in workers and building occupants. An estimated 35% of conventional cleaning products can cause blindness, severe skin damage or damage to organs through the skin. A review of Washington State workers compensation data indicated that the average reported injury costs companies $625 in lost time and medical expenses. Green Chemical Solutions is leading the way to a safer, healthier clean. Some ingredients in cleaning products are associated with eutrophication of streams and toxicity to aquatic organisms. VOCs released from cleaning products contribute to smog formation, and VOC content is regulated in some jurisdictions for this reason. Other ingredients, such as alkylphenol ethoxylate surfactants, persist in the environment (don t break down completely) and may interfere with the hormonal system of exposed organisms, which can cause a wide variety of health issues. Why Green Cleaning? Green Cleaning offers better environmental performance and improved worker health and safety, while retaining the same sanitation quality as traditional, more chemical-intensive methods. When correctly employed, no cleaning power is sacrificed through green cleaning practices. Janitorial products can cause harm to the environment during their use, if they are poured down drains, circulated through building ventilation systems, or disposed of outdoors. Environmental damage can also occur during the development, manufacture, and transport of these products. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, however, no epidemiologic evidence supports over-disinfection. Microorganisms are a normal contaminant of walls, floors, and other housekeeping surfaces, and are rarely associated with direct transmission of infection to patients or personnel. To adequately clean facilities and maintain low rates of infection, we need to distinguish between actual efficacy and assumptions based on customary practice.

This Guide outlines a simple 6-Step approach to implementing a comprehensive green cleaning program. It is designed for busy staff people in environmental services or housekeeping who don t have a lot of time to spend reading background material. Follow these six steps to help you make the green cleaning transition. 1. 2. 3. Inspect Your Facilities A comprehensive inspection of each facility helps document and identify areas where green cleaning practices should be adopted. The Green Building Survey serves as an inspection guide that you can use. See Building Survey Form Switch to Green Cleaning Products: Audit current products, then work with your distributor to identify green alternatives. A cleaning chemical audit form and green chemical evaluation can be downloaded for your use and convenience. See Chemical Audit Form Introduce Green Equipment 4. Green Cleaning Program Implementation and Supplies. Review all supplies including liners and paper products. Identify opportunities to use paper products containing recycled content. Review and inventory present equipment. Develop a policy for future equipment procurement that takes into account sustainable cleaning practices. Adopt Green Cleaning Procedures. There are 10 green cleaning practices that must be adopted as part of your green cleaning program. These are referred to as Green Cleaning Focal Points and are further 6. explained below. Develop a written Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for each focal point. 5. Employee training is critical for successful implementation of a green cleaning program. Each employee should be trained on the procedures developed around each Green Cleaning Focal Point. This training should also be supplemented with OSHA mandated training. Follow this link to the ISSA/ OSHA Safety and Health Portal Ongoing Improvement. Adopting green cleaning in any facility is one of transition and continuous improvement. Communication at all stages of the process is important. Publicizing the importance of the green cleaning program and its benefits is highly recommended. Measuring successes helps reinforce the benefits. Measurement can include reduced chemical usage, elimination of aerosols, solid waste reduction and more. The Easy Guide to Green This operations guide lays out our 6 step process to make the transition to green cleaning more straightforward. Who should use this guide? Distributors and their customers will find this guide useful. How should this guide be used? We recommend using the basic guidelines along with the more detailed information found on our educational website at www.greenchemicalsolutions.com. What about LEED? The LEED-EB program has an entire section on Indoor Environmental Quality. It is now a prerequisite for LEED-EB certification to have a green cleaning policy in place. Following the six step Your Easy Guide to Green will help fulfill these requirements. Will Green cleaning break my budget? Many think that implementing a green cleaning program is a costly investment. We advocate that Green Cleaning is a cost neutral proposition. Some increases in cost of training, documentation, chemicals, equipment, and supplies will be offset by gains in productivity. Most certainly the largest benefit is simply a cleaner and healthier facility for employees, students, customers, patients, and employees. When is a good time to start green cleaning? Why wait. At Green Chemical Solutions, we believe there is a better way to clean. Let s us help you green clean - clean for health.

The Green truth. The definition for green cleaning is simple and concise. However, the prospect of implementing green cleaning practices has not been as simple for many facilities. Those responsible for cleaning and maintaining commercial facilities have been left with confusing information about what to do and how to do it when it comes to green cleaning. Green cleaning is about much more than using certain products. Green cleaning is process driven, resulting in effectively combining products, tools, equipment with sustainable cleaning practices. The goal is a healthier facility for building occupants to learn, work and play while having the least environmental impact. The Easy Guide to Green Step 1: Inspect Your Facility You cannot get started on a green cleaning program without determining where you are at now. A Green Building Survey is a 15 point inspection process that looks at current facility operations and maintenance from a human health and environmental impact perspective. Once the Green Building Survey is complete, it serves as a blueprint for implementing green cleaning practices. 15 Point Green Building Survey 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Outside: Identify conditions outside that may impact the environment indoors. *Entrances: Review building entrances and how they are maintained. Public Areas: Examine public areas and determine cleanliness conditions. Basements and Crawl Spaces: Inspect these hiding places for pests and mold. Mechanical Rooms: Review HVAC maintenance and any storage of chemicals. 6. 7. 8. 9. Garages and Loading Docks: Look for sources of exhaust fumes. Storage Areas: Review storage of all hazardous materials / chemicals. Stairs and Elevators: Review stair cleaning from a safety perspective. Office and Work Areas: Examine how these areas are cleaned. Food Areas: Inspect and review pro- 10. cedures for handling food waste. 11. Restrooms: Review procedures and frequency of restroom cleaning. 12. *Cleaning Closets: Inspect closets to insure proper storage and venting to outside. 13. Roof Area: Inspect to identify defects that could impact the indoor environment. 14. *Cleaning Chemicals: Review the currently used cleaning chemicals. 15. *Cleaning Equipment and Supplies: Review equipment and current supplies. Green Chemical Solutions Green experts can come on site to help you with an evaluation at no charge. Save your green, bring in the green experts and soon your buildings will be green! * LEED-EB Required Resources credited to this great, green implementation guide: H2E.com Every Green Cleaning Program should address each of these critical focal points with a documented procedure and training program. Efficient Use of Chemicals: Every employee that would be responsible for dispensing concentrated chemicals must be given a means to measure the chemical in accordance with product instructions. Dilution Control Systems, pumps, or other measuring devices are suitable examples. Solid Waste Reduction: Means of reducing solid waste through re-using containers, recycling containers, or purchasing products that utilize less packaging. Entryways: Recognition that must of the contaminants enter a building through the front door is important. Entryways are addressed through appropriate walk off matting, maintaining the matting, and procedures for maintaining the areas directly outside of building entrances. Hard Floor Care Program: A hard floor care program that puts the focus on scheduled routine and preventive maintenance. Carpet Care Program: A carpet floor care program that puts the focus on scheduled routine and interim maintenance. Disinfection Strategy: A strategy that uses disinfectants regularly for cleaning frequently touched surfaces only. Part of the strategy should also focus of eliminating the use of disinfectants where they are not needed such as on many types of flooring. Restroom Care: A thorough and effective restroom care program that schedules cleaning frequencies and methods. Use of efficient methods such as special restroom cleaning machines is encouraged. Cafeterias and Kitchens: Special attention is given to properly clean and maintain food handling areas as this can be an area that attracts pests. Trash Collection and Recycling: Trash storage and collection is important to limit the spread of bacteria, and pest infestations. A formal recycling program that identifies what is to be recycled and how it is collected is mandatory. Vulnerable Populations: Proactive procedures with individuals that may be sensitive to cleaning products or certain cleaning operations is necessary.

Step 2: Switch to Green Products To begin the process of transitioning toward green cleaning chemical products, you first have to determine what you are currently using. The best way to do this is to conduct an inventory of your current janitor closets referred to as a Cleaning Chemical Audit. What are you looking for with current product usage? Product Name Function: What is it used for? Type: Is the product a concentrate, ready to use or aerosol? Required Documentation: Is an MSDS on file for this product? After completing the Cleaning Chemical Audit, you will need to identify viable alternatives products that are safer for people and the environment. A Green Chemical Evaluation form is an extension of the audit that offers alternatives to the existing product and briefly explains the benefit of using the product. Current Chemical Product (from audit above) Recommended Alternative Product Primary Benefit of alternative product This is the point where it is critical to involve a Green Chemical Solutions green expert to recommend the best and most appropriate products. Step 3: Introduce Green Equipment & Supplies Implement a program for the use of janitorial equipment that reduces building contaminates and minimizes environmental impact. The cleaning equipment program may require the following: Vacuum cleaners are certified by the Carpet and Rug Institute Green Label Testing Program for vacuum cleaners and operate with a sound level of less than 70dBA. Carpet extraction equipment used for restorative deep cleaning is certified by the Carpet and Rug Institute s Seal of Approval Testing Program for deep-cleaning extractors. Powered floor maintenance equipment, including electric and battery-powered floor buffers and burnishers, is equipped with vacuums, guards and/or other devices for capturing fine particulates and operates with a sound level of less than 70dBA. Automated scrubbing machines are equipped with environmentally preferable gel batteries. Powered equipment is ergonomically designed to minimize vibration, noise, and user fatigue. Equipment is designed with safeguards, such as rollers or rubber bumpers, to reduce potential damage to building surfaces. Keep a log for all powered cleaning equipment to document the date of equipment purchase and all repair and maintenance activities or each type of equipment in use. Disposable Supplies Guidelines US EPA Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines for Janitorial Paper and Plastic Can Liners. Green Seal GS-09, for paper towels and napkins. Green Seal GS-01, for tissue paper. Equipment Procurement Policy You do not have to scrap your existing equipment. However, a new equipment procurement policy should be in place that specifies the purchase of green equipment. Think about greener solutions. By making a commitment to choose greener alternatives or picking a vendor who offers green options, makes a big difference. You can make a big difference. You can green clean. You can green clean for health. We recommend that the switch to green cleaning products be approached as a transition process over time. Switching all at once can create issues with the cleaning staff. Change is always difficult, allowing staff to evaluate chemicals and make them part of the process can help lower resistance to change. It is critical to involve your authorized janitorial supplier/distributor to recommend the best and most appropriate solutions. We are certified in greening your products, greening your health, and saving your green. Let us help you make a green footprint.

Step 4: Adopt Green Cleaning Practices Implementing a green cleaning program involves much more than simply switching to green chemical products. Each Green Cleaning Program must incorporate certain practices into their cleaning program that address human health and environmental impacts. Step 5: Training An important part of successfully implementing a green cleaning program is training your staff. There are four broad areas of training to consider. 1. 2. 3. 4. Required Training: This type of training is required by law. The most important training is the OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (HCS). The HCS requires that each employee who will be handling chemicals be trained. The HCS had four main areas that pertain to employer responsibilities: Written Program Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) Labeling Information and Training Green Cleaning Procedures: A standard operating procedure (SOP) should be prepared for each cleaning task. Employees should be trained in accordance with each SOP. Safety: The HCS addresses the safety of employees working with chemicals. Another part of safety is protecting building occupants during the cleaning and floor maintenance process. This can include slip/fall prevention practices and communication with vulnerable populations that may be sensitive to certain maintenance processes. Professionalism: A new area of employee training relates to teaching how to interact with the public. As more facilities are considering a switch to cleaning during the day, interaction with the public becomes more prevalent. Already in schools, health care facilities and other public places, this training can result in a positive image. Step 6: Ongoing Improvement Going Green: A Continuous Process Like a quality program, the process of going green never ends. You can expect that leading manufacturers will continue to develop products that make the job of cleaning and maintaining facilities more effective and productive. That means, what is considered green today, may not be as green tomorrow. That means the process of greening your facility operations does not have an end point. Monitor Your Progress An important question is how do you measure the ongoing success of your green cleaning program?. One way is to develop a base line cost estimation about transitioning to green cleaning and periodically documenting progress. Look at the *GREEN CLEANING POLLUTION PREVENTION CALCU- LATOR, found on our website at www. greenchemicalsolutions.com, to help you develop this at the beginning of your green cleaning journey. This simple tool asks some specific information about your various facilities and cleaning practices. It then provides you with a detailed assessment about how the green cleaning process can benefit your cleaning operation. The Cost of Going Green Many think that implementing a green cleaning program is a costly investment. We advocate that Green Cleaning is a cost neutral proposition. Some increases in cost of training, documentation, chemicals, equipment, and supplies will be offset by gains in productivity. Most certainly the largest benefit is simply a cleaner and healthier facility for employees, students, customers, patients, and employees. Resources The Green Cleaning Pollution Prevention Calculator can be accessed by going to www. contractcleanerssupply.com and clicking on the tab Resources. This tool will help you show how much you can save by going green.

Disinfectants Because all disinfectants have toxic properties, green cleaning in this area consists of appropriate and limited use of disinfectants on an as-needed basis. Disinfectants are toxic by design in order to kill pathogens. Remember, surface cleaning is required prior to disinfection. Disinfection without cleaning is ineffective! Surface cleaning requires a detergent, water and mechanical action, like scrubbing to remove visible dirt, organic material and bacteria. Combination disinfectant/cleaners may cause maintenance personnel to ignore proper residence times for disinfectant ingredients, or lead to excess disinfectant use. Other Green Considerations: Proper Labeling OSHA requires labeling of all products, including any spray bottles used for diluted product. Worker injuries and failed cleaning can result from improper labeling. A clean room should smell like nothing at all! Just because you may not be able to smell cleaning products, after a green cleaning doesn t mean the room isn t clean. Proper Dispensing systems can aid in proper dilution of chemicals, reduce worker exposure, eliminate spills and reduce waste. Select Green Products When the critical, semi-critical and noncritical care areas of the facility, and the attributes you want alternative products to possess have been identified, it is time to select and prioritize cleaning products to trial. Make sure you stick with the performance and environmental criteria you identified, and require proof, not simply an assurance from a vendor, that a product meets your criteria. General Cleaners, Toilet Bowl Cleaners, Carpet Cleaners and Glass Cleaners are certified under Green Seal s GS 37 standard, which requires products to meet numerous health, environmental and performance criteria. Aside from toilet cleaners, these products are not essential to maintaining infection control standards. They may be the first group of alternative products you wish to incorporate into your operations. Floor strippers and waxes These products are the source of many indoor air complaints, triggering symptoms such as nose and lung irritation, rashes, headaches, nausea, and asthma in workers and building inhabitants. Traditional floor-finish strippers can have VOC (volatile organic compound) levels between 15% and 30%. Alternatives are available for example, Green Seal s GS40 floor care standard identifies floor strippers and finishes that have (among other attributes) low VOC content, low aquatic toxicity, no heavy metals or phthalates, no ozone-depleting chemicals, and that meet stringent performance requirements. More is not better with disinfection. Green building material choices and cleaning protocol changes can reduce the frequency of floor finish and stripper use. Paper products and plastic liners/ bags and cans can be procured with recycled content. Fragrance-free products can reduce impacts on those sensitive to fragrances Falcon Waterfree Urinals- Saving money is guaranteed vs. the cost to operate flush urinals. Pee Green, Save money and water with every flush! Microfiber mopping can offer water reduction and ergonomic improvements Waterless hand soaps can be purchased in non-pressurized cans that reduce exposures and do not constitute hazardous waste when disposed.

It s the cornerstone of everything we do. Green Chemical Solutions 15 Portland Road W. Conshohocken, PA 19428 t. 610.825.1060 e. hduke@ccssupply.com www.greenchemicalsolutions.com