| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 72.56 |
| Liaison | Natalie Hayes |
| Submission Date | June 22, 2017 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Bentley University
OP-13: Cleaning Products Purchasing
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.77 / 1.00 |
Natalie
Hayes Associate Director of Sustainability Office of Sustainability |
Does the institution have an institution-wide stated preference to purchase third party certified cleaning and janitorial products?:
A copy of the green cleaning product purchasing policy, directive, or guidelines:
The green cleaning product purchasing policy, directive, or guidelines:
All cleaning products used by our campus’s cleaning staff—with only two exceptions—are Green Seal Certified. According to Green Seal, “the Green Seal mark represents compliance with a rigorous set of criteria designed to achieve leadership levels in sustainability."
The only cleaning products permissible for use by the cleaning staff that do not meet Green Seal Certification are the disinfectant Virex and a water-based stainless steel cleaner/polish. Virex is an antimicrobial product listed by the EPA as effective against methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin resistant enterococcus faecalis (VRE), hepatitis, HIV and influenza. Virex is only used in bathrooms, locker rooms and several other areas of campus in smaller quantities. We are unable to identify an effective Green Seal-certified stainless steel cleaner/polish. The product has no hazardous ingredients, and is water-based rather than oil-based.
All vacuum cleaners used by cleaning staff meet the requirements of the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) “Green Label Plus” Testing Program. To earn the CRI Seal of Approval/Green Label certification, vacuums must pass laboratory tests for soil removal, dust containment and carpet fiber retention
A brief description of steps the institution has taken to ensure that the purchasing policy, directives, or guidelines are followed:
Through discussion during training and buy-in from custodial management and staff, all cleaning products used by our staff are Green Seal certified (with only two exceptions (EPA-approved exception Virex and a water-based stainless steel cleaner/polish.). The Purchasing department also ensures that our contracted cleaning crew also understands this green cleaning commitment.
Does the institution wish to pursue Part 2 of this credit (expenditures on cleaning and janitorial products)?:
Expenditures on Green Seal and/or UL Environment (EcoLogo) certified cleaning and janitorial products:
Total expenditures on cleaning and janitorial products:
Has the institution's main cleaning or housekeeping department(s) and/or contractor(s) adopted a Green Seal or ISSA certified low-impact, ecological (“green”) cleaning program?:
A brief description of the institution’s low-impact, ecological cleaning program:
Both Bentley's janitorial staff and our contracted cleaning service use the same Green Seal Certified products listed above.
A copy of the sections of the cleaning contract(s) that reference certified green products:
The sections of the cleaning contract(s) that reference certified green products:
The website URL where information about the institution’s green cleaning initiatives is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.