ISSA: Updates from the Leading Association for the Cleaning Industry Worldwide

Regulatory News
FREE OVERVIEW OF U.S. GREEN CLEANING
The demand and interest in green-cleaning products and services in the United States has accelerated in recent years. Moreover, green-cleaning product procurement policies have flourished in the public sector. As with many other public purchasing trends, these green-procurement policies have significantly impacted and shaped the private and institutional sectors’ purchasing policies on the local and national levels as well as having widespread international impact.

To remain competitive in the marketplace during this period of growth and transition, it’s vital for organizations to stay well informed. This is particularly true in the case of building service contractors, especially in light of recent moves by groups, such as Green Seal, to develop standards for “green service providers.”

To help ISSA members stay abreast of customer requirements, the association has produced a green-product report that is available free to members.

Compiled through extensive traditional and electronic research methods, this document provides a comprehensive overview that identifies and summarizes green-cleaner procurement policies, initiatives, and requirements across the United States.

In addition to the stated policies, the report also contains imbedded hyperlinks that will provide more in-depth information for the jurisdictions in which you have a particular interest.

The nationwide report outlines separate sections, including:

I. States

II. Cities, counties, and other local units of government

III. Federal

Sections I and II contain:

• Background information for jurisdictions
  
• Executive orders from government officials
  
• State contracts
  
• Specifications
  
• Products
  
• Website addresses

Section III includes:

• Executive Order 13101, issued in September of 1998 (which supercedes Executive Order 12873, issued in October of 1993)
  
• GSA
  
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s Office of Environmentally Preferable Purchasing
  
• U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Biobased Products Preferred Procurement Program
  
• EPA’s Design for the Environment, or DfE, Formulator Initiative
  
• EPA’s Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines Program
  
• Office of the Federal Environmental Executive

Complimentary Copies
ISSA members may request a free copy of the Green Cleaning Product Procurement Policies, Initiatives, and Requirements in the United States by contacting Tracy Weber at 800-225-4772 (North America) or 847-982-0800. Please write “Green Procurement Policies” in the subject box of e-mails.

If you are aware of a city, state, or other government entity that has a green-cleaning product procurement policy that is not included in this document, we encourage you to contact ISSA to ensure its inclusion.

Please direct any questions or comments regarding this publication to the attention of ISSA Director of Legislative Affairs Bill Balek; 800-225-4772 (North America) or 847-982-0800.

It’s easy to teach people cleaning techniques, but not so easy to teach and convince them to have a good attitude about their job. After all, the janitor image is poor, the hours are tough, the pay can be low, and the rewards are almost nonexistent. It’s work that seems never to be appreciated. And in too many situations, people take the positive for granted, reporting only the negative.

As managers in the cleaning industry, we face the task of trying to upgrade and motivate our employees in a profession that constantly has to redo its work. But this motivation doesn’t have the momentum to continue on its own. The truth is, motivation comes from being wanted and needed, from making someone feel like he or she counts; morale-building and motivation come from actions, not talk and thank-you speeches.

As you well know, the people on the front line are the key to the success of any facility maintenance program. If you have motivated employees, it will show in them and in the buildings they clean.

Don Aslett’s book, How to Upgrade and Motivate Your Cleaning Crews, offers exciting ideas to motivate you and your employees using entertaining materials, motivating events and fun. The book also includes award ideas for employees and clients. This top-selling volume, which lists for $34, is currently available to ISSA members for only $19.

To order, contact the ISSA Customer Service Department at 800-225-4772.

Welcome New ISSA Members!