Cleaning Equipment

Projects must implement a program for the use of sustainably powered cleaning equipment that abide by Green Seal 42, Standard for Commercial and Institutional Cleaning Services for Powered Equipment Use/ Maintenance Plan or local equivalent for projects outside the United States. Additionally, the following requirements must be met:

1. For projects in humid climates, as designated by ANSI/ASHRAE/IESNA 90.1-2007, powder carpet cleaning systems must be used in place of traditional carpet extraction systems.
2. Battery-powered equipment must be equipped with envir 2. onmentally preferable gel batteries.
3. Equipment must be designed with safeguards, such as rollers or rubber bumpers, to reduce potential damage to building surfaces.
4. Where possible, equipment that eliminates or reduces chemical use and qualifies as a sanitizing device under EPA when used with water and no chemicals, including steam vapor equipment and spray/vacuum touch-free cleaning systems, must be used.

Program Protocol

A successful cleaning program requires, beyond the selection of safer products, proper training and use of green cleaning materials and products. Projects must have in place a cleaning program that addresses the following:

1. Chemical Measuring and Dilution: A control system; for example a wall mounted dispensing system for concentrates, that limits direct handling and worker exposure to chemicals, ensures proper dilution of mixtures and prevents overuse or waste.
2. Training on Procedures: Sequencing of cleaning steps and use of personal protective equipment.
3. Training on Safety: Training on how to reduce and prevent ergonomic injuries and exposure to hazardous materials.
4. Annual In-Service Training: Training on use of certified green cleaning products, materials and equipment.
5. Training on Purchasing: Training of purchasing personnel in the selection of green cleaning materials.

Cleaning Products by Functional Class

Cleaning products must meet the relevant standard per appropriate functional class or use case, or a local equivalent for projects outside the United States.

1. Green Seal GS-37, for general-purpose, bathroom, glass and carpet cleaners used for industrial and institutional purposes.
2. UL EcoLogo 2792, for cleaning and degreasing compounds.
3. UL EcoLogo 2759, for hard-surface cleaners.
4. UL EcoLogo 2795, for carpet and upholstery care.
5. Green Seal GS-40, for industrial and institutional floor care products.
6. UL EcoLogo 2777, for hard-floor care.
7. UL EcoLogo 2798, for digestion additives for cleaning and odor control.
8. UL EcoLogo 2791, for drain or grease trap additives.
9. UL EcoLogo 2796, for odor control additives.
10. Green Seal GS-52/53, for specialty cleaning products.
11. EPA Design for the Environment Program’s Standard for Safer Cleaning Products.

Hand Hygiene Products

Hand soaps and hand sanitizers must meet the relevant standard per appropriate functional class or use case, or a local equivalent for projects outside the United States.

1. No antimicrobial agents (other than as a preservative) except where required by health codes and other regulations (e.g., food service and health care requirements).
2. Green Seal GS-41, for industrial and institutional hand cleaners.
3. UL EcoLogo 2784 or EPA’s Design for the Environment, for hand cleaners and hand soaps.
4. UL EcoLogo 2783, for hand sanitizers.
5. EPA Design for the Environment Program’s standard for safer cleaning products.

Janitorial Products

Disposable janitorial paper products and trash must meet the relevant standard per appropriate functional class or use case, or a local equivalent for projects outside the United States.

1. EPA comprehensive procurement guidelines for janitorial paper.
2. Green Seal GS-01 for tissue paper, paper towels and napkins.
3. UL EcoLogo 175 for toilet tissue.
4. UL EcoLogo 175 for hand towels.
5. California integrated waste management requirements (California Code of Regulations Title 14, Chapter 4, Article 5, or SABRC 42290-42297 Recycled Content Plastic Trash Bag Program) or EPA comprehensive procurement guidelines for plastic trash can liner.

Cleaning for Health

Projects must limit disinfection to high-touch surfaces in areas including but not limited to restrooms, community rooms, gymnasium and workout areas in accordance with Green Seal 42, Standard for Commercial and Institutional Cleaning Services Edition 2.1, 2013.

1. Disinfection (Section 4.6, with the exception of product specification in 4.6.2)
2. Restroom Care (Section 4.7)
3. Dining Areas and Break Rooms (Section 4.8)

Entryways and Lobbies

In order to minimize the migration of contaminants into the building, projects must adhere to the below cleaning and maintenance guidelines for entryways and lobbies:

1. Walk-off mats, indoor and outdoor, should be wet-cleaned once every two days and allowed to dry before being used.
2. The underside of entry mats should be cleaned at least once a day and twice a day during inclement weather.
3. Entry mats must be vacuumed using a vacuum with a beater bar in both directions, at least once a day and twice a day during inclement weather.
4. Non-toxic and environmentally safe ice melting compounds (e.g., non-corrosive, non- phosphate) must be selected through the winter months.