| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 70.94 |
| Liaison | Brandon Trelstad |
| Submission Date | April 30, 2014 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Oregon State University
OP-13: Cleaning Products Purchasing
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.58 / 1.00 |
Brandon
Trelstad Sustainability Coordinator Sustainability Office |
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:
OSU employs GCA Cleaning Services for the university's major cleaning needs, and selected GCA in part based on its sustainability-related practices. This selection was made via a competitive RFP process.
A brief description of steps the institution has taken to ensure that the purchasing policy, directives, or guidelines are followed:
GCA has a strong commitment to purchasing Green Seal or Ecologo cleaning products. Through GCA's management information system, GCAware, Operations Managers order cleaning supplies not only based on low cost and customer satisfaction, but also on Green certification. Purchasing products with green certification is highly important to GCA, as described by the company's manager, Phil Rogers:
"GCA remains at the forefront of green cleaning development, by tailoring sustainable, environmentally-friendly and cost-effective programs to meet the specific demands of each of its clients. GCA's proprietary Custom Green program is the model of the industry and offers a holistic approach to develop the most effective cleaning methods that protect occupant health and safety, while reducing harmful impacts on the environment."
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:
GCA remains at the forefront of green cleaning development, by tailoring sustainable, environmentally-friendly and cost-effective programs to meet the specific demands of each of its clients.
GCA's proprietary CustomGreen program is the model of the industry and offers a holistic approach to develop the most effective cleaning methods that protect occupant health and safety, while reducing harmful impacts on the environment.
GCA's CustomGreen cleaning program, which is also supported by a CustomGreen cleaning policy, offers the following:
• Custodial effectiveness assessments
• Continuous improvement training for all associates
• Standardized sustainable cleaning processes and procedures
• Implementation strategies crafted with experience-based best practices
• Experienced, invested, interested, and accountable management
• Certified sustainable chemicals, products, tools, and equipment at competitive prices
• Comprehensive communications protocol with client, building occupants and facilities maintenance staff
• Inside Air Quality monitoring
• Recycling programs, duct cleaning, filter changing, etc.
• Appropriate documentation, tracking, and auditing
• Procedural posters, educational materials, and visual aids
• Eligible for LEED-for Existing Buildings Operations and Maintenance certification points: Meets green cleaning pre-requisite
• GREENGUARD-compliant program with Green Seal compliant products
GCA's CustomGreen program offers "triple bottom-line" benefits, including environmental, economic, and social benefits, such as:
• Healthier workplace
• Improved air quality
• Improved employee retention and productivity
• Improved occupant satisfaction
• Improved facility value
• Happier, healthier employees
• Reduced environmental impacts
• Reduced liability, legal costs, and insurance risks
• Reduced operating costs
• Reduced consumption of natural resources
• Waste diversion of products and materials
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.