Executive Order 13101 defines “Green Cleaning” as the use of products and services that reduce the health and environmental impact compared to similar products and services used for the same purpose. Another definition of “Green Cleaning” is cleaning to safeguard human health while minimizing the impact to the environment. Its goal is to protect the health of building occupants, visitors and cleaning personnel, as well as reducing polluting effects on our air and water.

Unlike traditional cleaning, “Green Cleaning” goes far beyond simple appearance, focusing on products and services that have fewer adverse health and environmental impacts as compared with others that might be used for the same purpose.

“Green Cleaning” is more than just using “green” products. The success of a “Green Cleaning” Program is dependent on numerous other factors. While the selection of product is important, it will have little effect in an otherwise inadequate cleaning regimen that leaves facilities dirty and the health of occupants, visitors and the environment at risk. “Green Cleaning” encompasses a total program including chemicals, procedures, equipment, paper, liners, mops, matting and everything used in an effective cleaning program.

Cost reduction is not a goal of “Green Cleaning”. However, because of the increased demand for “Green Cleaning”, products and equipment have become more readily available. Most manufacturers now offer a line of green products. This has caused competition which result in green products being price aligned with traditional products. Typically, implementing any new program, whether it is green or not will cost more, given product replacements and procedure training.

A significant impact on the health and performance of building occupants and staff can be directly related to how buildings are being cleaned and what products are being used to clean them. Choosing green cleaning chemicals, products and procedures can dramatically impact the lifespan of building materials and furnishings while preserving the environment.

Cleaning products affect indoor air quality and may contain a high level of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can cause respiratory irritation, headaches and other symptoms to building occupants.

It has been estimated that over 35% of cleaning chemicals can cause blindness, severe skin damage and damage to organs through the skin.

Some ingredients in cleaning chemicals have contributed to smog formation while others do not break down completely and persist in the environment. This can cause interference with the hormonal system of exposed organisms, causing a wide variety of health issues.

Custodial workers are also exposed to chemicals that contain carcinogens (known to cause cancer), asthmagens, and substances thought to contribute to birth defects, kidney damage, neurological impairments and other serious health effects.

The switch to “Green Cleaning” is not a difficult transition, but does require strategic planning and follow through. Commitment from the CEO down is essential. Here are the key components to a successful “Green Cleaning” Program:

1. Obtain Commitment
2. Develop an Implementation Team
3. Establish an Effective Communication System
4. Identify Building Occupants with Special Needs and Sensitivities
5. Survey and Evaluate Current Cleaning Products, Equipment and Procedures
6. Evaluate Current Training Programs
7. Create a Pilot Program
8. Develop an Awards Program
9. Develop a Monitoring ProcessImplementing the “Green Cleaning” Program

We hope that you see the benefits of choosing to go with a “Green Cleaning” Program and realize that it is not a difficult transition. We recommend that you contact one of the trained Bergo Supply Representatives to assist you in following the above Procedures to “Go Green”. We pride ourselves in the successes that we have had in helping many of our customer’s transition to “Green Cleaning”.

• Green Seal – www.greenseal.org
• United States Green Building Council (USGBC) - www.usgbc.org
• Canada'a Environmental Choice Program - www.environmentalchoice.com
• EPA Design for the Environment (DFE) - www.epa.gov/dfe/
• EPA Comprehensive Procurement Guideline (CPG) - www.epa.gov/cpg/
• EPA's Environmentally Preferable Purchasing - www.epa.gov/epp
• Healthy Schools Campaign - www.greencleanschools.org
• Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) - www.chps.net
• Green Guide for Health Care (GGHC) - www.gghc.org
• Hospitals for Healthy Environment - www.h2e-online.org
• ISSA - www.issa.com
• Green Guard - www.greenguard.org
• BSCAI - www.bscai.org
• Green Cleaning University - www.greencleaninguniversity.org