Program Highlights: Details of the Green Cleaning Program
| Technology / Practice | Benefits / Highlights |
| Cleaning Chemicals | Program Details |
| Dilution control | Concentrated product (one product) is diluted through a spray bottle which provides five dilution settings. This is safer because the chemicals are always mixed to the proper dilution for the job at hand. The use of a single, concentrated product, reduces packaging waste as well as energy used during transportation. |
| Green Seal Certified products | Environmentally friendly and less toxic. |
| Minimize number of products used | Reduces and simplifies training which ensures safer, more effective chemical, and at the same time record keeping (i.e. MSDS library and training records) are simplified. |
| Minimize use of disinfectants | Use only as required (i.e. primary contact surfaces). Use an EPA registered disinfectant. |
| Use cold water when mixing chemicals | Energy is not wasted heating water. |
| Spray chemical on the microfiber rag instead of directly on surface | Less chemical is used. Minimizes the use of aerosol chemical products. |
| Hard Surface Floor Care | |
| Conduct an initial floor surface analysis | Floor may not require finish/sealer eliminating the need for restorative maintenance measures and the unnecessary use of chemical products. |
| Use of cold water while cleaning hard surface floors | Energy is not wasted heating water and floor finish is hardened thereby lasting longer. |
| Reduced frequency of stripping and refinishing of floors | Strip and refinish floors only as required, not on a fixed schedule. Fewer chemicals and products are used. Properly ventilate area during and after restorative operations. |
| Occupant notification and timing of work | Building occupants are not exposed to dust and chemical odors. |
| Low water use autoscrubbers | Less water is used (up to 70%). Chemical use can be reduced up to 90%. Productivity is increased as fewer trips are required to empty water tank, maximizing battery charging time. Noise level of less than 70dBA. |
| Use of autoscrubber-applied or mop-on restorers instead of spray-on solutions | Minimizes the use of aerosol chemical products. |
| Dust collection mechanism used on burnishing equipment | Fewer particulates released into building environment, reducing occupant exposure and need for dusting or vacuuming. |
| Use of recycled content floor pads | Made from 100% post-consumer and post industrial recycled material. |
| Use of more environmentally-friendly equipment batteries (i.e. gel batteries) | Low VOC, some types can be recycled, do not contain lead acid. |
| Mops and Wipers | |
| Recycled content wet and finish mops | Contain up to 100% recycled post-consumer waste material. |
| Microfiber wipers | Effectively trap dust and particulates. Eliminate use of paper towels as a cleaning tool. Minimize use of other disposables (rags). Microfiber cloths can be repeatedly laundered and reused. |
| Conduct a chemical use assessment | Only use chemical if required. Initially use microfiber dry or dampened with water only. |
| Vacuuming and Carpet Care | |
| Use CRI (Carpet and Rug Institute) Green Label Certified, HEPA or high-filtration vacuums | More effectively contain dust and particulates. Noise level of less than 70dBA. |
| Inspect vacuum regularly (every 2 hours of use) | Change filter as required. Empty or replace vacuum bags when three quarters full for optimal equipment performance. |
| Use of low-moisture restorative cleaning equipment (i.e. carpet extractors) | Minimizes water use. Drying times can be reduced to less than one hour, minimizing mold growth possibilities. Noise level of less than 70dBA. |
| Occupant notification and timing of work | Building occupants are not exposed to dust and chemical odors. Provide sufficient airflow (i.e. blower and fan installation) to reduce drying times to 4 hours or less. |
| Hand Soap, Paper Products, Plastic Bags | |
| Use Green Seal Certified paper products (i.e. toilet tissue, hand towels) | Made with 100% recycled content and up to 82% post-consumer or post-industrial recycled content. Designed with use-minimization, and waste-minimization dispensing systems, and efficient, recycled content and recyclable packaging. |
| Plastic bags / trash can liners | Plastic bags must have a minimum of 10% post-consumer recycled content. Use biodegradable bags when possible. |
| Minimize plastic bag use | Only throw away soiled office trash bags. Empty trash and leave bag if not soiled. |
| Urinal Blocks and Restroom Automatic Deodorizers | |
| Eliminate urinal blocks, use screens only. | Eliminates unnecessary harmful chemicals and source of VOCs. |
| Eliminate restroom automatic deodorizers. | Eliminates unnecessary harmful chemicals and source of VOCs. If necessary, use a non-aerosol deodorizing system (i.e. a gel-based wicking system or fragrance-infused recyclable plastic beads) that do not generate additional VOCs. |
| Entrance Matting Systems | |
| Recycled content matting | Made from 100% post-consumer PET recycled fiber (carpet) and 15% post-consumer recycled tires (backing). |
| Use 6-10 feet of scraper/wiper matting, 6-10 feet of wiper matting for a total of 12-20 feet of matting at each entry point | Contains soil to prevent migration throughout building. |
| Vacuum entrance areas more frequently (typically at least twice per day) | Prevent migration of contaminants into building. |
| Other | |
| Turn off lights in work areas. Only turn on lights in immediate work area as required. Make sure all lights and other unnecessary powered devices are shut down at the end of the work shift. | Minimize energy consumption. |
Contact Us
For more information contact Ron Atkins, Manager of Caretaking Services at 416-946-7160, or email ron.atkins@utoronto.ca