LET US HELP YOU DEVELOP A  

GREEN CLEANING PROGRAM 

  

Omaha Compound Company would like to help you become green. Since the release of the Green Seal Environmental Standard for Cleaning Service Providers (GS-42), both in-house and contract cleaners now have a guideline to follow to establish a green cleaning program. 

  

The following is a general overview of the five key areas contained in the Green Seal Environmental Standard for Cleaning Services (GS-42). To access the standard for detailed information, you can access and download the standard at www.greenseal.org/certification/cleaning_services_gs-42.pdf. 

  

 

  

5 KEY AREAS 

  

1.       PLANNING REQUIREMENTS 

  

When beginning to develop a green cleaning program, one must follow the planning requirements established in the standard. Below is a summary of some of the requirements to be followed. 

  

• Cleaning service providers shall develop and maintain a set of written guidelines or standard operating procedures that preside over the cleaning procedures, communication protocols and requirements, training and inspection programs, and reporting and record keeping procedures.
• The guidelines should be made available to all cleaning personnel and clients.
• A building specific green cleaning plan must be in place that explains the methods in which a facility is cleaned effectively.
• Develop and implement a floor maintenance plan, determine schedules of routine cleaning operations, activities performed periodically, equipment operation and maintenance, cleaning inspections, and accident preparedness plans.

  

  

  

  

  

2.  REQUIREMENTS FOR PRODUCTS, SUPPLIES, AND EQUIPMENTS 

  

To develop a green cleaning program, one should use only environmentally preferable products which are as follows: 

  

• General purpose cleaners, floor cleaners, bathroom cleaners, glass cleaners, and carpet cleaners
• Floor finishes and floor strippers
• Liquid hand soap
• Toilet tissue, facial issue, paper towels, and napkins
• Plastic trash can liners shall contain a minimum of 10% post-consumer recycled content.

  

3.  CLEANING PROCEDURE REQUIREMENTS 

  

In order to develop a green cleaning program, the standard has separated cleaning procedure requirements in to different areas, which are listed below. 

  

• Reduce chemical waste/efficient use of chemicals
• Reduce solid waste
• Vacuum Use/Maintenance

 

  

4.  COMMUNICATION REQUIREMENTS 

  

Keeping the communication lines open between cleaning service providers and cleaning personnel and facility managers is essential to maintaining a green cleaning program. The cleaning service providers must: 

  

• Provide employees with initial, on-site, or site-specific and annual in service training regarding all areas of operation.
• Ensure that a system is in place for cleaning service employees to provide comments.
• Provide MSDS in a timely manner upon request.

  

5.  TRAINING REQUIREMENTS 

  

All cleaning personnel must be trained to have a complete understanding of what it takes to implement a green cleaning program. Cleaning personnel must undergo initial training on standard operating procedures, proper sequencing of steps, and proper use of personal protective equipment. Even after the program is implemented, employees should receive continuous training.