SUSTAINABLE BUILDINGS
Asset Classes
-
Offices
-
-
-
-
-
- Not applicable
-
-
-
-
Enclosed Shopping Centres
-
-
-
-
-
- Not applicable
-
-
-
-
Open Air Retail
-
-
- Not applicable
-
-
-
-
- Not applicable
-
-
-
-
Light Industrial
-
-
-
-
-
- Not applicable
-
-
-
-
Multi-Unit Residential Buildings
-
-
-
-
-
- Not applicable
-
-
- Not applicable
-
-
-
Health Care Facilities
-
-
-
-
-
- Not applicable
-
-
- Not applicable
-
-
-
Universal
-
-
-
-
-
- Not applicable
-
-
-
Focus Area
Custodial and Waste
Topic
Baseline Practices
Question #
P2.0 – Green Cleaning Program
Question
Is a Green Cleaning Program in place at the building?
Applicability
Office, Healthcare, Enclosed Shopping Centre, Universal, Multi-Unit Residential Building
Owner/landlord occupied building
Tenant occupied building
Answer & Scoring
Yes – this is a baseline requirement
Requirements
- Develop a building-specific Green Cleaning Program that covers the following:
- Responsible parties, including the building team and cleaning staff’s training requirements
- Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for cleaning activities and waste collection
- Specify cleaning products and supplies to be used, requiring that at least half (by total volume) meets third-party recognized green cleaning standards
- Specify cleaning equipment to be used, requiring that >75% vacuums use HEPA filtration or is a chemical-free cleaning system or is a mobile UV cleaning device
- Program must be signed by the building manager, dated within the past 12 months.
Where custodial services are managed and delivered by the tenants and their service providers, the owner or landlord must provide information to the tenants on how to implement a Green Cleaning Program
The Green Cleaning Program can be integrated into the Janitorial / Custodial service provider’s contract. Where custodial services are contracted, communicate custodial goals and green cleaning initiatives to the contracted company. The contracted company must provide the building manager with documentation showing the same information outlined above.
Third-party recognized green cleaning standards include: EcoLogo, Green Seal, US EPA Safer Choice, GREENGUARD, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), Sustainable Forest Management Standard (SFMI) or equivalent.
Documentation
- Building-specific Green Cleaning Program
- Proof that program was shared with tenants
- P2.0 – Green Cleaning Program Template
Suggested Lead
In-house: Facility Maintenance, Building Manager/Policy Makers
Value
- Many common cleaning products contain chemicals that are harmful to the environment, custodial staff, and occupants
- Single use products typically associated with cleaning, such as paper products and plastic bags, are resource intensive and environmentally impactful to produce
- Use environmentally conscious cleaning products to reduce the impact on the environment and occupants
- Establish a Green Cleaning Program that prioritizes the use of environmentally preferred products, the maintenance of cleaning equipment, and the implementation of effective cleaning practices. Contracted service providers are required to follow this program (if applicable)
RELATED Question:
Description
A Green Cleaning Program emphasizes the use of environmentally preferred products, maintenance of cleaning equipment and effective cleaning practices.
References
Adapted BB 3.0 Question
Best Practice 11 – Is a Green Cleaning Program in place at the building?
Question 07.04.01 – Is high-efficiency cleaning equipment used in the building?