Several Green Schools Reps asked about policies regarding cleaning products being used in the schools. All products used by the custodial staff are green and have been since January, 2009 when the Town passed a resolution to use green cleaning products in all town-owned buildings. Please see the following document,
TOWN OF GREENWICH POLICY FOR USE OF ENVIRONMENTALLY PREFERABLE CLEANING AND SANITIZING PRODUCTS (1/2009)
excerpt:
WHEREAS, the Town of Greenwich Environmental Action Task Force has been established to recommend policy to the Board of Selectmen with regard to making all Town government operations environmentally sustainable; and
WHEREAS, the Connecticut General Assembly has passed Public Act No. 08-186
...
WHEREAS, the Town of Greenwich seeks to protect the health of its residents and employees by limiting unnecessary exposure to harmful chemicals and limit the harmful effects of hazardous chemicals in the waste stream;
...
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that no person shall use a cleaning product inside a building owned and/or operated by the Town of Greenwich unless such cleaning product has been certified by and labeled as Green Seal Certified or EcoLogo. Categories of cleaning products not included in this requirement are disinfectants, disinfecting cleaners, sanitizers or any other antimicrobial products regulated by the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act, 7 USC 136 et seq.
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This is also contained in page 84 of the following report from the Town of Greenwich Environmental Action Task Force:
TOWN OF GREENWICH PLAN OF CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT TOWN PROPERTIES COMMITTEE (TPC) REPORT(3/27/2012)
TOWN OF GREENWICH PLAN OF CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT TOWN PROPERTIES COMMITTEE (TPC) REPORT(3/27/2012)
http://www.ct.gov/dph/lib/dph/environmental_health/eoha/pdf/ct_green_cleaning_products_in_schools_law_summary.pdf
ReplyDeleteAll products need to be Green Seal certified or EcoLogo. You can search on their sites for the product in question:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.greenseal.org/FindGreenSealProductsAndServices.aspx
http://www.ecolabelindex.com/ecolabel/ecologo
The exceptions are disinfectants that are used in some cases (like vomit).
Green Cleaning Information for School Administrators, Staff and Parents
ReplyDeletehttp://www.ct.gov/dph/lib/dph/environmental_health/eoha/pdf/green_cleaning_info_for_staff_parents_final.pdf
A simple note to administrators can be shared with the above document from DPH.
ReplyDeleteDear District Principals,
PTAC Green Schools would like to take this opportunity to remind administrators, teachers and staff of state and local policies regarding cleaning products in the school district. Please be aware that no parent, guardian, teacher or staff member may bring into the school facility any consumer product that is intended to clean, deodorize, sanitize or disinfect. Rather, any cleaning products for classroom use should be requested from and provided by the school custodial staff, who use cleaning products labeled Green Seal Certified or EcoLogo with a few exceptions. Unsanctioned products may be unsafe for students and employees, and there is a particular concern for individuals with respiratory issues, allergies or chemical sensitivities.
The policy was enacted in January 2009 when the Town of Greenwich passed a resolution to use green cleaning products in all town-owned buildings. For further detail on the mandate, please find attached the guidelines from the CT Department of Public Health for Green Cleaning.
We hope that you will promote a healthier school environment by reminding teachers, staff and parents of these policies and posting this information in your school. Please contact us if you have any questions. Alternatively, inquiries may be directed to GPS Director of Facilities.
Regards,
PTAC Green Schools