Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 57.98
Liaison Jonna Korpi
Submission Date June 2, 2016
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

University of Minnesota, Duluth
OP-13: Cleaning Products Purchasing

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 0.69 / 1.00 Christine Lovejoy
Planner - Custodial
UMD Facilities Management
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution have an institution-wide stated preference to purchase third party certified cleaning and janitorial products?:
Yes

A copy of the green cleaning product purchasing policy, directive, or guidelines:
---

The green cleaning product purchasing policy, directive, or guidelines:

UMD Custodial supports the campus goals of sustainability through careful purchasing and sustainability considerations. Although their website and policies are under construction (http://www.d.umn.edu/fm/standards/custodial.htm), progress has been made on many fronts, and they have been awarded Honorable Mention through the American School and University's Green Cleaning Award, See: https://umdsustain.wp.d.umn.edu/umd-wins-award-for-green-cleaning/


A brief description of steps the institution has taken to ensure that the purchasing policy, directives, or guidelines are followed:

UMD choses to use Green Seal (tm) certified cleaners because the Green Seal program is one of the most recognized, organizations that provides credible and objective information to direct consumers to environmentally responsible products. Custodial crews use Green Seal products to clean, including: Johnson Wax Stride Neutral Cleaner, and Glance non-ammoniated glass cleaner.

We've reduced purchases of ALL chemicals via installation of multiple charged-water onsite generation machines (Orbio, os3).


Does the institution wish to pursue Part 2 of this credit (expenditures on cleaning and janitorial products)?:
Yes

Expenditures on Green Seal and/or UL Environment (EcoLogo) certified cleaning and janitorial products:
46,249.13 US/Canadian $

Total expenditures on cleaning and janitorial products:
79,673.89 US/Canadian $

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?:
No

A brief description of the institution’s low-impact, ecological cleaning program:

UMD has converted most of the cleaning solution for Custodial staff to a charged water system (Orbio os3, onsite generation), eliminating the use of chemicals in many areas including floor cleaning systems. The charged water solution:
1) replaces chemical cleaning solutions and is safer for the environment (plus, it reduces shipping/carbon footprint),
2) is safer for people to use (no chemicals!) and
3) saves the campus money over time.


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:

Also see Green Cleaning Award honorable mention from American School and University magazine at:
http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/6ada99ad?page=18#/6ada99ad/22


Also see Green Cleaning Award honorable mention from American School and University magazine at:
http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/6ada99ad?page=18#/6ada99ad/22

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.