| Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 46.00 |
| Liaison | Lisa Mitten |
| Submission Date | March 4, 2015 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
State University of New York at New Paltz
OP-13: Cleaning Products Purchasing
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.94 / 1.00 |
Kim
Nelson Assistant Director Facilities Operations |
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:
On April 24, 2008, Governor David Patterson signed Executive Order 4 establishing a State Green Procurement and Agency Sustainability Program to promote policies within state agencies and authorities that reduce the potential impacts on public health and the environment and reduce the consumption of materials and energy. The Office of General Services of the State of New York considers the continuation and enhancement of agency green cleaning programs to be part and parcel of compliance with EO 4, and that state agencies, including SUNY New Paltz, must utilize green cleaning practices to comply with EO 4.
The Office of General Services of New York State has developed a list of selected cleaning and maintenance products for schools and state agencies/public authorities to purchase and use. The OGS Approved Green Cleaning Products List organizes products in the following six categories: general purpose cleaners; glass cleaners; bathroom cleaners; toilet bowl cleaners; carpet cleaners; and carpet spot removers. The revised guidelines require that each product meet one of three criteria:
1) Green Seal, Inc. certification under revised GS-37;
2) EcoLogo certification; or
3) Self-Attestation (see Section V. B. for details).
Additionally, the Guidelines continue to include cleaning products that were not impacted by the revised GS-37 standard, such as floor finishes, floor finish strippers, hand cleaners/hand soaps and vacuum cleaners.
For information on OGS' Green Cleaning Guidelines, visit: https://greencleaning.ny.gov/Docs/GreenGuidelinesfinal_2010.pdf
For information about New York State's green cleaning program, visit: https://greencleaning.ny.gov/Policies.asp
A brief description of steps the institution has taken to ensure that the purchasing policy, directives, or guidelines are followed:
Facilities Operation's Custodial Department cleaning program is set up to mirror what the State of New York Green Cleaning Program has outlined on its website. We here at SUNY New Paltz believe in the benefits of green cleaning and purchase Green Seal certified cleaning and janitorial projects that are listed on the NY Green Cleaning site.
Student and staff health and well-being is a top priority and the green cleaning policy calls for no or very little exposure to toxic chemicals. Safety of the custodial staff and building occupant safety is improved by stressing the safety procedures that are an integral part of the custodial staff's training. Cleaning efficiency increases through providing walk-off matting, cleaning processes and pre-measured, concentrated cleaning chemical delivery systems.
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:
Introduction: Building environments have a significant impact on human and environmental health, worker productivity and overall sustainability. Based on extensive industry research focused on building maintenance and operations, technology and cleaning science, SUNY New Paltz has identified the best tools, products and practices for maintaining sustainable buildings that protect human health and the environment. This policy adheres to the ISSA Cleaning Management Standard – Green Building Standard.
Intent: This policy is intended to identify maintenance and operations best practices and guidelines for minimizing building impact on human health and the environment. Compliance with this policy allows SUNY New Paltz to create a building environment that minimizes waste, uses more sustainable products and systems, and uses energy as efficiently as possible.
Sustainability Statement of Commitment: SUNY New Paltz is committed to maintaining and operating buildings in the most sustainable way. We define sustainability as operating “to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs,” particularly with regard to use and waste of natural resources.
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:
Requirements (Cleaning Materials & Products):
CIMS-GB, 6.4
SUNY New Paltz will implement sustainable purchasing for cleaning materials and products, disposable janitorial paper products and trash bags. Cleaning product and material purchases include items used by in-house staff and/or outsourced service providers.
The cleaning chemicals meet one or more of the following standards for the appropriate category:
• Be certified by Green Seal or Environmental Choice, or be recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Design for the Environment Program (DfE), or California Code of Regulations maximum allowable VOC levels for the specific product category
• Meet the requirements of the Alternate Qualification provision set forth in Section 6.4.6. Alternative Qualification: A product shall be deemed in compliance with the criteria of Section 6.4.3, 6.4.4, or 6.4.5 if there is independent documentation verifying that the product meets the applicable certification/ recognition criteria referenced in the section. The required verification shall be provided by one or more independent, third-party laboratories.
• A minimum of sixty (60) percent, by purchase cost and calculated per building, of the chemical products specified in Section 6.4.3 that are provided by the organization and used in buildings to which this section applies (listed in Section 6.1.2) shall meet one of the applicable compliance criteria.
Disposable janitorial paper products and trash bags: This provision only applies to those purchases that are within the control of the organization.
Products in this group include:
o Paper towels and napkins
o Facial tissue
o Toilet tissue
o Hand towels
o Kitchen towels
o Plastic trash bags
• A minimum of fifty (50) percent of products in this group shall be certified by Green Seal or Environmental Choice, or meet the requirements of the Alternative Qualification provision set forth in Section 6.4.6., or comply with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines for Janitorial Paper and Plastic Trash Can Liners, or be derived from rapidly renewable resources or made from tree-free fibers by purchase cost and calculated per building, of the products specified in Section 6.4.4 that are provided by the organization and used in buildings to which this section applies
Hand soaps: This provision only applies to those purchases that are within the control of the organization. Products in this group include:
• Industrial and institutional hand cleaners and soaps
• Certified by Green Seal or Environmental Choice, or be recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Design for the Environment Program (DfE), or Meet the requirements of the Alternative Qualification provision set forth in Section 6.4.6.
• A specified percentage of products in this group shall be free of antimicrobial agents (except as a preservative and unless required by health codes and other regulations)
• A minimum of sixty (60) percent, by purchase cost and calculated per building
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.