2004 Internships
Cleaning Products Research
Sponsor
Facilities Maintenance Operations (UOS), Harvard School of Public Health (private donor)
Intern Manager
Antje Danielson, CERP Program Manager
Jason Luke, Facilities Maintenance Operations
Intern
Dara Olmsted, HGCI’s Green Campus Cleaning Products Intern, is a Masters Candidate in the Tufts Environmental Planning and Policy Program, where she is focusing on sustainability and stormwater pollution. Previously, Dara had worked with the HGCI Sustainable Buildings Program, documenting the sustainable construction and purchasing practices of Harvard Real Estate Services. Following this internship and receiving her Master’s degree, Dara hopes to work for a non-profit, a governmental organization, or “some other group that really makes a difference in the environment.”
Advisory Committee
Antje Danielson, HGCI
Jason Luke, FMO
Susan Jones, UOS Procurement
Jack Spengler, HSPH
Tom Vautin, UOS
General Purpose
The project objective is to develop an environmentally preferred, employee safe and building occupant safe, "green" cleaning program for Facilities Maintenance Operations (FMO) Custodial Services.
Overview of Tasks
Phase 1 - Preliminary Data Gathering
This project will include the identification and classification of chemical compounds present in currently used cleaning products, and those present in cleaning products labeled "green". The project will also research and evaluate commonly referenced eco-labels and organizations that have green cleaning services and the criteria used for nomenclature, reliability, dependability, determinants, and motivation of those entities.
- Based on the above analyses we will gain preliminary insights on any potential hazards presented by cleaning products and their possible association with various environmental and human health problems. The analyses will enable us to accurately compare currently used and eco-labeled products and give us a methodology for continued evaluation of future products not yet available.
- Research on eco-labels and their labeling/certification criteria
- Information gathering from organizations that currently offer green cleaning services
- Information gathering of readily available data on "green" and conventional products
- Compilation of environmental and health issues and background research on personal sensitivities
- Compilation of hazardous compounds that are commonly present in cleaning products and the environmental and personal health problems caused by these compounds
- Benchmark and review other organizations' green cleaning operations including possible site visits and interviews
Phase 2 - Processes Evaluation
Another component of the study will be the evaluation of cleaning procedures and industry best practices - including the documentation and rating of available dilution control options - to reduce the environmental and personal impact of cleaning operations. In order to develop a holistic green cleaning service we will also look at paper and plastic products (toilet paper, hand towels, garbage bags etc.) as well as hand soaps and evaluate their relative environmental impact including recycled content, post-consumer recycled content, manufacturing processes, and dispensing systems.
- We will identify those systems with the least environmental impact and equal personal safety and comfort. We will also put together guidelines and suggestions for educational programs for occupants and custodial staff.
- Review current cleaning procedures and document best practices (i.e. floor care procedures, product use minimization, etc.)
- Review industry-wide cleaning procedures and document best practices relative to personal safety and environmental impact
- Discuss and review green cleaning operations with industry experts (i.e. Stephen Ashkin), product manufacturers, product distributers and other industry insiders.
- Review and rate available dilution control options for effectiveness, practicality, personal safety and environmental impact
- Review paper products, plastic products and available dispensing systems (including hand soap dispensing systems) for environmental impact and personal safety.
Phase 3 - Field Testing
Lastly we will field-test current and "green" product-options for both cleaning effectiveness and personal health and comfort (employee and building occupant).
- Product selection (both currently used and recommended green products) for chemical analysis and field testing of cleaning efficiency and personal safety).
- Laboratory test for active compounds on current products and identified
industry-leading "green" labeled products in the following high-use
categories:
- Glass Cleaner
- Disinfectant
- General Purpose Cleaner
- Neutral Cleaner (Floor cleaner)
- Floor Finish
- Stripper
- Extraction cleaner
- Hand soap
- Appropriate customer involvement
- Building selection
- Appropriate building occupant education, notification and/or involvement (TBD)
- Testing will occur in the following areas: cleaning products (cleaning effectiveness and personal safety), dilution control systems, paper and plastic products, dispensing systems (paper and hand soap)
Phase 4 - Documentation, Reporting, and Pilot Service
Discovered best practices and recommended products will be documented as the FMO Green Cleaning Program. After the requisite employee and supervisory training the program will be implemented as a pilot project in a selected area.
- Best practices and product recommendations will be documented as the FMO Green Cleaning Program
- Customer identification for pilot of FMO Green Cleaning Program
- Customer and building occupant education as needed
- Employee and supervisory training
- Implementation and monitoring (including periodic cleaning audits)
- Report on findings
- Proposal for further studies
Deliverables
- FMO Custodial Services Green Cleaning Program
- Report to HSPH
- Proposal for academic research