One of the ways we are hoping to overcome this lack of knowledge is through peer-to-peer sharing of knowledge and mentorship opportunities. It is important to involve and educate everyone within the facility, including all employees and occupants, so that they understand why the switch is being made to green cleaning products and processes and what differences they can expect to see with a green cleaning program. “When you do a system looking at efficacy, first you find that cost savings are just a byproduct. It may be necessary to switch to automatic dispensers for cleaning chemicals to regulate the quantity of chemicals being used. Your email address will not be published. Some green cleaning chemicals do not have similar fragrances. Today, most teens attend the Clean & Green Program during summer break, while other students attend at other times during the year from local non-traditional alternative high … CLEAN AND GREEN REGULATIONS The following is an unofficial copy of the Regulations (7 Pa. Code 137(b)) (Preferential Assessment of Farmland and Forest Land under the Clean and Green Act) adopted under the Pennsylvania Farmland and Forest Land Assessment Act of 1974 (Act of December 19, 1974, P.L. A step-by-step approach may be the best way for a facility executive to manage the transition to green cleaning, Justifying the Cost of Preventive Maintenance », 30+ Hours of Free Continuing Education », Discover 18 Key Products & Services For Facility Professionals, NFMT - Facilities Education and Conference. In the Clean & Green program, students work on community beautification projects such as: maintaining trees, shrubs and gardens, painting, cleaning up alleys, removing graffiti, collecting recyclable materials and giving presentations in schools. This article was co-authored by Susan Stocker.Susan Stocker runs and owns Susan’s Green Cleaning, the #1 Green Cleaning Company in Seattle. In lieu of a jail sentence, the Clean and Green diversion program allows eligible non-violent offenders to clear their criminal records by cleaning up … They completely eliminated the use of stripper and buffing chemicals, so that was a line item that they could cut off the budget right away. Water from extractors, if allowed to remain within the carpet for an extended period of time, can contribute to the growth of biological contaminants. 319) (72 P.S. “Green cleaning products and practices are designed to minimize troubling exposures and reduce respiratory problems among the workforce. By adopting a green cleaning program at your school, you can positively affect the health of each and every person who enters its doors. The Pennsylvania General Assembly enacted the program in 1974 as a tool to encourage protection of the Commonwealth's valuable farmland, forestland and open spaces. She is well known in the region for outstanding customer service protocols — winning the 2017 Better Business Torch Award for Ethics & Integrity —and her energetic support of fair wages, employee benefits, and green cleaning practices. Davis has been instrumental in the development of national healthy school food advocacy initiatives, including the Cooking up Change healthy cooking contest, and school environmental health resources, such as the 5 Steps to Green Cleaning in Schools. Policies and plans developed in isolation rarely succeed long term. Green cleaning is a system that employs both green chemicals and green equipment. At Clarke County School District (CCSD) in Athens, Georgia, Kimberly Thomas, executive director, plant services and custodial operations, and the district’s director of school nursing noticed a growing trend in the number of district students on allergy prevention plans. Any contractor bidding on green cleaning services should provide customer references. Unless building occupants understand the changes, they may assume that if they do not smell the fragrance that they are accustomed to, the restrooms are not clean. Livestock and the products thereof. Facility executives should contact all references to determine how the contractor carried out the switch to green cleaning, how successful the switch has been, how the cleaning processes are different under green cleaning, and how the contractor communicated those changes to the building staff and occupants. As the “green movement” starts to make its way into a lifestyle, many companies are starting the transition from a traditional cleaning program to a green cleaning program. “The creation of the ‘Clean and Green Business’ Program is exciting for the City and businesses that want to promote themselves as participating in the program to provide a cleaner future for our community,” said Councilor Pat Davis. 2011). HOUSTON — The Harris County District Attorney's Office unveiled Wednesday the Clean & Green program, a community service initiative that allows residents charged with low-level, non-violent o… We also have a comprehensive guide to existing policy available on our website. Green cleaning complicates the buying process. … Of course, the principle purpose of cleaning is to protect human health so any definition of green or environmentally preferable should address human-health considerations. Part of Pizzo’s award-winning green cleaning program is detailed and strategic program assessment, which includes analyzing the amount of money saved so that he can convey those numbers to those in charge at the district level. Clean is a condition free of unwanted matter, with matter being any substance that has mass and is influenced by gravity. The concepts of clean and “green” are complimentary. When purchasing green equipment and supplies, schools should consider three factors: appropriateness, effectiveness, and usability. Units should also operate with a sound level less than 70 dba. Children are more susceptible to the effects of cleaning chemicals and other toxins because they are still developing and they behave differently than adults—rolling around on the floor of a classroom, for example. As the green cleaning program evolves, it is important that facility executives keep everyone informed about the program. The Combined Heat and Power Partnership is a voluntary program seeking to reduce the environmental impact of power generation by promoting the use of CHP. In 2013, she co-chaired the Working Group on Health and Education, which was convened by the Surgeon General. Properties enrolled in the Clean and Green program will be valued on a Use Value basis. Many of the program requirements can be found in the LEED for Existing Buildings (LEED-EB) program. This provides some statistics that make a clear case for green cleaning from health, financial, and environmental standpoints. It lays out some simple changes that can be made and outlines our 5 Steps to Green Cleaning in Schools. Start with the no- or low-cost items. The 1998 amendment to Clean and Green now requires counties to use the contributory value methodology when appraising farm or outbuildings. § All carpet extractors should heat the cleaning solution to at least 200 degrees Fahrenheit to reduce drying time and to improve the cleaning effectiveness of the solution. Many with experience in the field have already moved far away from the old, mistaken belief that green cleaning costs more. This is a result of the old belief that if some is good, more is better. Because there are fewer toxic chemicals that employees must work with, liability exposure also is reduced. “We needed to quantify our program to see if it was more or less expensive,” says Pizzo. Successful green cleaning programs first and foremost aim to prevent dirt and other contaminants from entering the building in the first place. Our Leadership Council, which is comprised of leaders of award-winning green cleaning programs who partner with aspiring green cleaning programs to guide, educate, and mentor through the process, is a personalized resource for educating stakeholders. The facility executive should also determine whether all of the contractors’ cleaning products are certified. On average, students across the country missed 14 million days of school because of asthma, which is often exacerbated by poor indoor air quality. Clean and Green is a land conservation program that lowers the property tax rate for the vast majority of landowners who enroll in the program. • You must be willing to work hard. Much attention has been focused on the cleaning products, but green cleaning involves more than just selecting green products. Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn . Even with the full support of the organization, often it is best to move slowly. After setting in place the right procedures and policies, it’s time to train the … We have mentioned the benefits—both health- and academic-related—to students and staff and the money that can be saved. HSC advocates for national, state, and local policies and programs that make schools healthier places to learn and work. Identify those products that meet green standards as well as those that will need to be changed. Rochelle Davis brings broad experience as a leader in children’s wellness and environmental health to her role as president and CEO of Healthy Schools Campaign (HSC), a national nonprofit organization she founded in 2002. Air fresheners and products with heavy volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were completely eliminated and all equipment now has HEPA filters. Preparing Your School for a Green Cleaning Program In this guide, we walk you through the essential preparations you will need to build a successful green cleaning program, such as creating a green team of school stakeholders and assessing where your school currently stands when it comes to green cleaning. The Clean & Green Program was created in 1988 to provide a first job experience to youth with an emphasis on the environment, conservation, and community service-focused work experiences throughout the city of LA. When evaluating contracting options, there are several factors facility executives should consider: References. Jeetander Brahman. Recommend 0. Experience. The carpet extractor must be sufficiently effective at removing the water from the carpet so that the carpet fully dries in less than 24 hours. Create a Green Team Involving stakeholders in your green cleaning program is critical to establishing an effective change that will stand the test of time. Train the Cleaning Team. 973, No. As you begin to green your cleaning procedures, you will want to consider how your procedures are helping to reduce general health risks and environmental impact. CLEAN AND GREEN PROGRAM? Only a small number of these have ever been closely studied in regards to how they affect the environment and people’s health. All told, a total of 365,473.38 acres in McKean County are enrolled in the Clean and Green Program. Today, there are plenty of affordable and accessible products, as well as reliable third-party certifications to help assess products. Cleaning equipment that meets the required standards must be purchased. One of these low-cost yet highly effective measures is the installation of walk-off matting at all building entrances. The Clean and Green program primarily benefits the land portion of the assessment. Today’s tools can reduce chemical use and increase productivity. She also served as the principal investigator for HSC’s National Institutes of Health-funded Partnership to Reduce Disparities in Asthma and Obesity in Latino Schools. In this article we will discuss the benefits of a green cleaning program and how it can make a positive impact in the environment around you. This publication describes the Clean and Green program’s requirements. Thus, a major component of your cleaning procedures is training. One of the key ways East Meadow School District was able to reduce costs was to explore, test, and implement procedures and equipment that eliminated chemicals whenever possible. Employees must be trained in the use of the products and the equipment. Use value is a property’s value based only on the income the land would typically generate if used for agricultural, woodland, or pastureland purposes; it does not consider all of the property’s potential uses. Another effective measure that can be implemented to reduce cleaning requirements is the installation of touchless controls in restrooms facilities. A change to a greener floor wax eliminated buildup on baseboards, cutting that item out of the budget and extending the amount of time in between waxing by two additional years. She is well known in the region for outstanding customer service protocols — winning the 2017 Better Business Torch Award for Ethics & Integrity —and her energetic support of fair wages, employee benefits, and green cleaning practices. As the “green movement” starts to make its way into a lifestyle, many companies are starting the transition from a traditional cleaning program to a green cleaning program. The department created the “preferential tax assessment” program in 1974 as a way to preserve farmland, forests and open space by offering property owners … Requirements for training are not limited to staff who will be using the equipment. Products Used. Mar 25, 2019 11:47pm. Undoubtedly, in this time of economic and political turmoil, the PTI leadership is acting all sensibly and with sincerity. Green cleaning can be implemented in practically every type of facility, from schools and office buildings, to restaurants and retail facilities. Facility executives can also implement some relatively low-cost items that will significantly improve the effectiveness of the program. This article was co-authored by Susan Stocker.Susan Stocker runs and owns Susan’s Green Cleaning, the #1 Green Cleaning Company in Seattle. This is nice to see and read article. Mar 25, 2019 11:47pm. As green cleaning has become more and more accepted within the cleaning industry and outside the marketplace, certain best practices have emerged for implementing a green cleaning program. IPL's Green Power program allows residential customers to select either 25%, 50% or 100% of their monthly energy bill to be put toward renewable energy sources in the Midwest. 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