On Dec. 7, 2007, the Illinois Green Government Coordinating Council (IGGCC) released for public comment its draft guidelines that would implement the State’s Green Cleaning Schools Act, according to ISSA reports.

The guidelines establish mandatory procurement requirements for “environmentally sensitive” chemical based cleaners, paper products, and cleaning equipment as well as provide recommendations regarding the procurement and use of other cleaning products and practices. In the event that schools outsource their cleaning operations, cleaning contractors are also required to abide by these guidelines.

To access the draft guidelines and information on how to comment on them are available on the IGGCC’s Web site, click here. Comments are due by January 8, 2008.

Background
Governor Blagojevich signed the Illinois Green Cleaning Schools Act into law on August 13, 2007 making Illinois the second state in the nation to require the use of “environmentally sensitive” cleaning products in public and private elementary and secondary schools. The Illinois legislation parallels a similar law enacted in New York State in late 2006.

By law, the guidelines must be finalized by February 11, 2008. Illinois schools must comply with the law effective May 9, 2008 by purchasing and using green cleaning products as defined in the guidelines.

ISSA Plays Key Role
ISSA Director of Legislative Affairs Bill Balek, cochaired the Product Policy Subcommittee, which was primarily responsible for drafting specifications for environmentally sensitive cleaning products under the Illinois Act. The product specifications put forth by the Product Policy Subcommittee takes a multi-faceted approach to defining green cleaning products to ensure that Illinois schools have a robust supply of efficacious cleaning products with a preferred environmental and safety and health profile.

Mandatory Requirements
The draft guidelines define bathroom, carpet, general purpose and glass cleaners and hand soaps as environmentally sensitive if they are:

        • Certified by Green Seal;
        • Certified by Environmental Choice EcoLogo Program; or
        • Recognized by the U.S. EPA Design for the Environment Formulator Program

In addition, the draft guidelines provide that such products can be qualified as “green” through independent documentation that verifies the products meet the criteria of one of the aforementioned ecolabel programs.

Paper products would qualify as environmentally sensitive if they were certified by Green Seal, or the Environmental Choice EcoLogo Program, or if they met the EPA Comprehensive Product Procurement Guidelines. The guidelines also set forth criteria for specified powered cleaning equipment.

Effective May 9, 2008, Illinois schools will be required to procure and use these environmentally sensitive cleaning products.

Recommendations and Best Practices
The draft guidelines also set forth recommendations regarding cleaning supply purchases not covered under the mandatory section above. These recommendations are based on EPA’s Greening Your Purchase of Cleaning Products: A Guide for Federal Purchasers, and the Pennsylvania Green Building Operations and Maintenance Manual.

The section of the draft guidelines that sets forth voluntary recommendations covers such products as graffiti removers, floor finishes and strippers, furniture polish, gum remover, and urinal deodorizers.

The guidelines also include a section that addresses best practices, such as the use of entryway mats, that are recommended to be followed in establishing a green cleaning program.

Public Comment
The draft guidelines were posted for public comment on Friday, December 7, 2007. The public comment period will close at the end of the day on Tuesday, January 8, 2008.