1. Making Mandates Mainstream: Putting Green Cleaning Products and Procedures into Practice A SAFER, HEALTHIER SCHOOL THROUGH GREEN CLEANING Arthur B. Weissman, Ph.D., President and CEO, Green Seal and Marion Stecklow, MT, CIE, CHCM Ocean City, MD May 23, 2016

2. Agenda for Presentation  T HE TOPIC AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE  W HO WE ARE  W HAT IS GREEN CLEANING ?  W HAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF GREEN CLEANING ?  E XAMPLES AND CASE STUDIES  P OLICIES AND LAWS ON GREEN CLEANING IN SCHOOLS  G ETTING STARTED – RESOURCES AND NEXT STEPS

3. THE TOPIC AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE

4. Green Cleaning = Health, ROIs Mandates or guidelines for green cleaning products and procedures have a purpose Green cleaning makes schools healthier as well as more productive and cost-efficient Green cleaning should be your SOP Green cleaning is more than using green products

5. Framework: about children Children are not just “little adults” US EPA, NIEHS, CDC, Academy of Pediatrics Biologically more vulnerable Different exposures: hand to mouth, floor time Cannot identify hazards or protect themselves Cannot articulate exposures or health effects Children with special health or learning needs may be even more exposed and more vulnerable (IDD 2010) Compelled to attend school by states; children with special needs may be placed in 12-month school programs Out number adults in schools by > 10:1 (NCES)

6. Framework: about schools Schools are not just “little offices” 95% of all school occupants are women and children (NCES) 99% of all school age children attend schools (NASN) Schools more densely occupied than homes or offices Multiple processes and chemical uses in one school facility (EPA) Record of poor facility management : no consistent facility measures; inconsistent funding; no oversight; decades of deferred repairs and facility neglect (GAO, EPA, 21CSF) US EPA: est. ~ 50% schools do not have Indoor Air Programs OSHA applies to all private employers; State OSHA Plans apply to public schools as adult workplaces in 24 states

7. Factors Affecting Healthy Schools Robust literature: factors in indoor environmental quality improve attendance, academic performance, behavior, and productivity (NRC 2006; US EPA) Poor indoor environments already damaging health and learning; indoor exposures can be 100-1,000 more intense than outdoor; prevent exposures (IOM 2011) Schools filled with asthma triggers; pediatric asthma hospitalizations can triple on returns in the school year (NYS DoH, 2008, 2011) NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) Program: records/responds to worker complaints; research and reports have found work-related asthma prevalent among teachers and custodians

8. WHO WE ARE

9. Green Seal Background 501 (c)(3) science-based non-profit founded in 1989 Environmental mission with exclusive focus on products, services, purchasing, operations Leadership standards address nearly 400 product and service categories Utilize a multiple criteria / life-cycle approach No financial interest in certified products/services or in any manufacturer or company

10. Green Seal Credentials Accredited as standards developer by American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Complies with ISO 14020 (Principles of Environmental Labeling) and ISO 14024 (Principles and Procedures for Type I Eco-labels) requirements Only US member of the Global Eco-labeling Network Meets past and proposed US EPA Guidelines for 3rd-Party Certifiers Meets Consumers Union criteria for What Makes a Good Eco-label Complies with Federal Trade Commission Green Guides for Environmental Marketing Claims

11. Green Seal Standards There are currently 32 Green Seal standards that cover almost 400 product and service categories: Sanitary Paper Products Cleaning/Degreasing Agents Paints and Coatings Institutional Cleaners Institutional Floor‐Care Products Institutional Hand Cleaners Consumer Soaps, Cleansers, and Shower Products Consumer Personal Care Products Institutional Specialty Cleaning Products Laundry Care Products Hotels Restaurants Commercial/Residential Cleaning Service Providers

12. Goals of Green Seal Standards Establish a benchmark for industry and purchasers Encourage the supply and demand of more sustainable, performance-tested products and services Provide a tool for product development Promote leadership in the marketplace Successful standard: sufficient number of certified products to transform market

13. Basis for Green Seal Standards Technical Basis: Use best available science Address significant life-cycle health and environmental aspects of product or service Identify leadership levels to transform market Ensure product functional performance Procedural Basis: Use open and transparent process Reasonable efforts to achieve consensus No financial interest or conflict-of-interest

14. Multi-Attribute Life-Cycle Evaluation

15. Standard Development Process 1. Feasibility Assessment 2. Project Proposal & Public Call for Stakeholders 3. Project Initiation & Notification and Scoping 4. R&D, Drafting of Standard, Call for Information 5. Proposed Standard  Public comments 6. Review Final Draft Standard  Public comments 7. Stakeholder Balloting & Voting until approved 8. Response to ALL comments & Issued Standard 9. Standards posted for free on GS website

16. Green Seal is widely referenced

17. Established in 2009 The first and only accredited GS 42 certification training program in the U.S. recognized by Green Seal. To date, 16 organizations throughout the U.S. have achieved GS 42 certification after completing the Building Wellness Institute training. This includes Howard County Public Schools( the first and only public school), Montgomery College, University of Maryland and University of Virginia). Members of several other public and private school custodial departments have completed the training and are implementing healthier and more sustainable cleaning practices. Several hundred custodians at the manager/supervisory level have completed the 24 hours of training focused on the GS 42 standard and green, healthy cleaning procedures.

18. WHAT IS GREEN CLEANING ?

19. Cleaning solely for appearance is no longer enough! What is Green Cleaning?

20. A Definition of Green Cleaning: CLEANING FOR HEALTH WHILE PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT The New Order of Cleaning

21. GS 42 Environmental Standard for Commercial and Institutional Cleaning Services Green products, equipment Proper procedures Building-specific green cleaning plans Required training Communications What is Green Cleaning?

22. How We Define It (in GS-42): Green products, equipment −Cleaning chemicals, soap, paper and other high-volume products that are 3 rd -party certified −Equipment is energy-efficient, effective, low-emissions and safer for the user. Proper procedures −Avoiding contamination; efficient and effective Building-specific green cleaning plans −Schedules, communications, special areas, vulnerable populations, seasonal/periodic conditions, etc. Required training – 12 hours for new hires, 24 hours for all custodians, annually Communications – building occupants, building management What is Green Cleaning?

23. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF GREEN CLEANING?

24. What are the benefits? Benefits of a green cleaning program include: Protecting Human Health Protecting the Environment Improving Performance Increasing ROI

25. Protecting Human Health Studies by the the U.S. EPA and Cornell Medical College reveal that high-performance green and healthy cleaning results in the following health benefits: Indoor Environment Characterization Of A Non-Problem Building: Assessment of Cleaning Effectiveness, US Environmental Protection Agency,, March 1994. 52% reduction in airborne dust 59% decrease in Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC’s) 40% reduction in bacteria Fungi colony-forming units decreased by 61%

26. Protecting Human Health Another study examined the health benefits of improved green cleaning programs at a school. Results attributed to cleaning practices and indoor air quality programs indicated that: total illnesses were reduced by 24% doctor visits reduced by 34% courses of antibiotics reduced by 24% days absent reduced by 46% (1) (1) Leonard R. Krilov, MD, Impact of An Infection Control Program in a Specialized Preschool, American Journal of Infection Control, 1996: 24:167-173

27. What are the benefits? Benefits of a green cleaning program include: Protecting Human Health Protecting the Environment Improving Performance Increasing ROI

28. Protecting the Environment Contributed by the cleaning industry: 6 Billionpounds of chemicals 4.5 Billion pounds of paper 35 Billion plastic liners annually 35 Thousand pounds of equipment *(Steve Ashkin, The Ashkin Group)

29. Protecting the Environment Green cleaning reduces these: Chemicals – Fewer products typically needed, used Paper – Recycled content for disposable, single uses And others: Energy – Concentrates avoid transporting water; more efficient equipment Toxicity – Non-toxic cleaners protect aquatic ecosystems

30. What are the benefits? Benefits of a green cleaning program include: Protecting Human Health Protecting the Environment Improving Performance Increasing ROI

31. Improving Performance As stated by Frumkin, Geller, Rubin and Nodvin in Safe and Healthy School Environments: “A safe and healthy school environment does more than benefit student health, it also improves academic performance and morale. It does more than protect students, it also safeguards faculty and staff.”

32. Improving Performance Expert Dr. Michael A. Berry, PhD (citing the Charles E. Young study) (1) Healthy School Environment and Enhanced Educational Performance – The Case of Charles Young Elementary School, Washington, DC, Carpet & Rug Institute, January 2002. “There is a direct connection between healthy school environments; behaviors and attitudes of students, parents, and educators; and academic achievement.” (1)

33. Improving Performance Case Study: The Charles Young Elementary School Charles Young Elementary School in Washington D.C. implemented green cleaning and indoor air quality programs that addressed total environmental quality.

34. Case Study: Remarkable Improvement The Charles Young Elementary School

35. Improving Performance Green Cleaning enhances the performance of students, faculty and staff by: Diminishing school absences Decreased “presenteeism” Fewer job injuries Less facility damage “Presenteeism” – productivity losses that occur when employees/students come to work/school but under-perform due to physical and psychological causes.* * Abstract from The International Journal of Human Resource Management

36. What are the benefits? Benefits of a green cleaning program include: Protecting Human Health Protecting the Environment Improving Performance Increasing ROI

37. Common misperceptions of green cleaning:

38. Increasing ROI Actual financial benefits from these requirements: Concentrated products Pre-measured Dilution control systems Elimination of duplicate products and additional preferred products purchased by staff.

39. Increasing ROI Patrick Pizzo, Director of Facilities & Operations for E. Meadow Union Free School District, cited the following cost savings reductions : cost of hand soap – 39% cost for paper products - 88% cost for dust mops – 10% polyurethane use – 29% stripper – 100% wax – 49% baseboard cleaner – 88% buffing chemicals – 100% cost for window cleaning – 77%

40. Increasing ROI In 2008, UNCG became the first state university to adopt the Green Seal chemicals offered on the state contract. This led to UNCG's green cleaning program. Before the university began its green cleaning program, the chemicals on hand cost roughly $3.07/gallon. Switching to Green Seal-certified chemicals brought the cost down to an estimated 25 cents/gallon, and reduced chemical usage by 75%. --Ada Baldwin, Assistant Director of Housekeeping at UNC-Greensboro

41. Increasing ROI “ In the past, green cleaning products were more expensive, but that is not the case anymore. At a minimum the decision to use green cleaning products will be cost neutral. A strong case can be made for cost savings, but this largely depends on what one is switching from: if the current products are not purchased in concentrate form, if dilution control systems are not being utilized, if the current number of products being used is excessive and can be replaced by a smaller group of core products, etc., then a significant cost savings can be realized.” --Jason Luke, Associate Director of Custodial Support Services at Harvard University

42. Increasing ROI In a pilot test conducted by the Green Purchasing Institute for the State of Hawaii, two schools in Honolulu reduced the cost of their restroom cleaning products from $6-12 per gallon to less than $1 per gallon by replacing a ready-to-use conventional product with a highly- concentrated Green Seal-certified product. Riverside Military Academy in Gainesville, GA realized a $280,000 annual savings by replacing 20 different cleaning products with a single Green Seal-certified product to clean 270 dorm rooms and 100 bathrooms. The Portland, OR municipal transit agency, experienced a substantial cost savings when it switched to certified “green” cleaners, reducing the number of products it used from 22 to 4. “Initial cleaning chemical cost savings to the municipality amounted to 70%, not including training cost savings associated with the inventory simplification.” Harvard University reported saving $11,700 a year when it switched to green cleaning products by reducing the number of products they used.

43. Increasing ROI After the Palm Beach County School District (Florida) saved over $500 in one school during a three-month pilot project, it began phasing in green cleaning to all of its 180 schools in June 2008, with a projected annual district-wide savings of $360,000. (1) Northern Tioga County School District (Pennsylvania) saved nearly $20,000 in one year by eliminating aerosols and other hazardous cleaning products. “Ounce for ounce, aerosols often are more expensive than other cleaning solutions and emit harmful fumes that are inhaled by building occupants.” (1) A 2005 New York State executive order directed all state agencies to use third party-certified green cleaning products. In 2015, the state reported that 89% of all agencies were doing so and 51% said the products cost the same or less than conventional products. (2) 1 Connecticut Foundation on Environmentally Safe Schools, “Green Cleaning in Schools is Cost Effective,” October 2008; www.safehealthyct.org/documents/Green_Cleaning_Cost_Effective__2_.docwww.safehealthyct.org/documents/Green_Cleaning_Cost_Effective__2_.doc. 2 http://www.ogs.ny.gov/EO/4/Docs/ThirdProgressReport.pdfhttp://www.ogs.ny.gov/EO/4/Docs/ThirdProgressReport.pdf

44. Concentrate! 2009 San Francisco study of 373 cleaners found that ready-to-use (RTU) products have significantly higher costs than dilutable concentrates. Cost of RTU products was 15 times higher, on average, than concentrated products. Cost of aerosol products averaged 27 times greater than concentrate prices. Just as with food, the cost of buying individual servings versus larger/bulk sizes carries a significant cost for “convenience.” There is also additional storage requirements for RTU bottles, a larger number of empty plastic bottles, additional transportation impacts and expenses (e.g., fuel surcharges, cardboard shipping cartons, diesel fuel consumption and exhaust, etc.) and RTU products have a high cost to schools and the environment.

45. Increasing ROI Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools (NC) “…As a result of using Staples’ Sustainable Earth products and consolidating to three cleaning [from 12] solutions across 170 schools, CMS has reduced cleaning supply costs by 20 percent, with over $30,000 saved in the first year alone. In addition, the increased accuracy of product dilution methods has allowed CMS to dramatically reduce chemical waste….” Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Environmental Stewardship Guide (http://www.cms.k12.nc.us/cmsdepartments/construction/buildingservices/EMS/Pages/CMSENVIRONMENTALSTEWARDSHIP GUIDE.aspx)http://www.cms.k12.nc.us/cmsdepartments/construction/buildingservices/EMS/Pages/CMSENVIRONMENTALSTEWARDSHIP GUIDE.aspx

46. Increasing ROI Hidden Savings: The average custodian uses five gallons of hazardous chemicals each year. He/she is exposed to these chemicals such as zinc, arsenic, mercury, cadmium, on a daily basis. Over $75 million is being spent each year on medical expenses and lost time wages for custodians due to injuries relating to exposure to chemicals. Using safer cleaning products and an improved ventilation system has been shown to increase worker productivity by up to 5% and to save institutions nationwide $30 to $150 billion annually.

47. Increasing ROI Market Differentiation: Those considering pursuing LEED-EBOM will be particularly interested in green cleaning, as the USGBC’s revised LEED V4 includes a credit for using a certified cleaning service and a credit for using certified green products Schools undergoing major renovation or new construction may use the Collaborative for High Performance Schools (http://www.CHPS.net) design standards, which include green cleaning with third party- certified products as a requirement.http://www.CHPS.net

48. EXAMPLES AND CASE STUDIES

49. EPA IAQ TfS Success: Texas Northeast Independent School District (NEISD) implemented EPA’s IAQ Tools for Schools Program Adopted Environmentally Preferable Purchasing as an important feature to address “source control” of indoor pollutants Facility Components in the District’s Asthma Reduction Program – Effective Cleaning Program: the District converted to Green Seal- certified green cleaning products – Smart Material Selection: the District switched to green labeled/certified furniture, fixtures or other equipment. – Classrooms: tracked child asthma events – Classrooms: assessed, rated classroom environments – Classroom Interventions

50. Green Cleaning: results New York State, 2005-2015: “Adoption of green cleaning practices is one of New York State’s biggest success stories.” 89% of state agencies responsible for cleaning use green cleaning products all or most of the time 75% of state agencies report using fragrance-free cleaning products http://www.ogs.ny.gov/EO/4/Docs/ThirdProgressReport.pdfhttp://www.ogs.ny.gov/EO/4/Docs/ThirdProgressReport.pdf (2015) 18 states: have green cleaning policies in place, for state agencies and or for schools

51. Howard County Public Schools Purchasing third-party-certified green cleaning products for schools is mandated by Maryland. The Howard County Public School System went beyond just products. Its custodial service is Green Seal- certified to the GS-42 standard for its equipment, products, procedures, training, and communications. 74 Schools 51,000+ students 434 custodians $1,093,470 cleaning budget Ranks among Maryland’s top performing school districts

52. Howard County Public Schools Howard Country recently won the 2012 Grand Award presented by American School & University magazine, the Healthy Schools Campaign, and the Green Cleaning Network. “Award winners demonstrate best practices around green cleaning, galvanizing their school communities around the idea that all students, faculty and staff deserve a healthy place to learn and work.”

53. Howard County Public Schools “We’ve now raised the bar by protecting the health of our students and faculty, and by providing our staff with the knowledge and hands-on skills they need to become leaders in environmental wellness.” --Olivia Claus, Manager, Office of Custodial Services, Howard County Public School System

54. What are they saying? Harvard University “GS-42 certification for our in-house custodial operation marked a major milestone in our progress towards a more sustainable campus at Harvard. The extraordinary thoroughness of the Green Seal certification process convinced us of its legitimate value. By ingraining the rigorous requirements throughout all of cleaning activities we have changed the way our staff thinks about the term ‘sustainability’... from a slogan to Standard Operating Procedure. GS-42 certification has proven to be a challenge that was well worth the effort.” --Jeffrey Smith, Director, Facilities Maintenance Operations Harvard University

55. What are they saying? “I am pleased beyond measure to accept Green Seal’s GS-42 Certification on behalf of the University of Maryland, College Park, Department of Facilities Management. As a campus focused on, and committed to, environmentally sustainable practices, we have already been recognized as one of “America’s Greenest Campuses” and have been honored by the Princeton Review’s Green College Honor Roll, and the College Sustainability Report Card, among others. Attaining GS-42 Certification made sense as the next step in our quest to be a world class organization, and we will be proud to communicate this achievement to our students, faculty and staff.” --Harry A. Teabout III Director, Department of Building and Landscape Services, Facilities Management University of Maryland, College Park

56. POLICIES AND LAWS ON GREEN CLEANING IN SCHOOLS

57. Green Cleaning: 18 states States with all-green janitorial purchasing contracts in place: Northeast: NY, MA, VT, CT, RI, NH Northwest: OR, WA (contracts open to contiguous states) State laws/policy initiatives for K-12 Schools: NY, CT, MD, MO, IL, VT, NV, HI, DC, TN, IA, ME Embedded in state asthma programs: CA, MA Model Laws: CT 2009, VT 2012

58. GETTING STARTED – RESOURCES AND NEXT STEPS

59. Comply with leading independent national cleaning standards Start by purchasing third-party-certified green cleaning products Understand that green products are just one aspect of a green cleaning program, which also involves procedures, equipment, communications, plans, and training Support sufficient training for janitorial staff Educate your students, faculty, staff, and parents about what you are doing to protect their health and the environment What can you do?

60. How to Start Familiarize yourself and the Board with relevant laws, best practices, or state green purchasing contract Implement an effective green cleaning training program for all custodial staff. Check labels on current products (Green Seal, UL EcoLogo) Check district bid specs Check district cleaning contracts Review cleaning practices and problems Inventory products and equipment Invite reliable vendor(s) to demo 3 rd party certified green products Allow cleaning staff to pilot products in one school. Repeat.... Expand to another school Educate the community Celebrate success

61. Reducing Asthma Triggers: Source Reduction of Indoor Pollutants Healthy Purchasing for Healthy Schools: Green Cleaning + Five More Product Categories to Help Make Schools Healthier

62. CleaningforHealthySchools.org

64. Keep walks clean; conduct locker clean outs Install walk off mats at all major entries Maintain HVAC systems Screen windows Restrict food storage and consumption areas Locate custodial closets near classrooms; vent to outside Vent high moisture to the outside Vent chemical storage and use areas (labs) to the outside Ban cleaning products from home; ban room deodorizers Update cleaning equipment (microfiber mops/cloths; HEPA vacuums; polishers/buffers) Prevention: Keep the Dirt Out

65. What to Look For

66. Criteria in GS-42 cover following areas: Green products, equipment Proper procedures Building-specific green cleaning plans Required training Communications Get Your Cleaning Service Certified!

67. Contact Information Green Seal, Inc. GreenSeal.org greenseal@greenseal.org (202) 872-6400 www.buildingwellness.com mstecklow@buildingwellness.com 301-728-3908 - Using science-based programs to empower consumers, purchasers, and companies to create a more sustainable world - Helping organizations of all sizes create a healthier environment–inside and out.