Updates from the Leading Association for the Cleaning Industry Worldwide

ISSA Supports Green Cleaning For Schools Guidelines

ISSA has expressed its strong support for the broad, multifaceted approach taken by the state of Illinois in defining green cleaning products and services for the purpose of implementing the state’s Green Cleaning Schools Act.

ISSA Director of Legislative Affairs Bill Balek expressed ISSA’s support for Illinois’ approach to defining green cleaning products in formal comments submitted on behalf of ISSA in response to draft guidelines issued by the Illinois Green Government Coordinating Council (IGGCC).

Green Cleaning Product Formulations
In particular, ISSA supported the IGGCC’s approach to qualifying green cleaning product formulations by referencing not only Green Seal certified products, but also products certified under the Environmental Choice EcoLogo program and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Design for the Environment Formulator program. In addition, the IGGCC draft guidelines would allow companies to qualify their products as “environmentally sensitive” by providing verification through independent third-party laboratories.

In applauding the approach taken by the IGGCC, Balek noted that “Each of these (ecolabel) programs is a valid, credible, scientifically sound program that serves to effectively qualify cleaning product formulations with a preferred environmental and safety and health profile.”

Other Green Product Categories
The draft guidelines adopt a similar approach to qualifying environmentally sensitive jan/san paper products by referencing Green Seal, Environmental Choice and the U.S. EPA Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines for Commercial and Industrial Sanitary Tissue. In addition, the guidelines provide specifications for green powered cleaning equipment.

The draft guidelines also set forth a nonmandatory section that sets forth recommendations on how schools can implement a comprehensive green cleaning program that addresses a broader range of cleaning products and practices. Click here for a copy of the guidelines.

Steps Going Forward
Pursuant to the Illinois Green Cleaning Schools Act, the IGGCC must finalize the guidelines by February 11, 2008. Schools, in turn, must comply with the act and its underlying guidelines after May 9, 2008, which effectively means that schools must establish a green cleaning program, including buying and using green cleaning products. The act allows Illinois schools to continue to use existing cleaning supplies and equipment after May 9 until such supplies and equipment are exhausted.