SUSTAINABLE BUILDINGS

Asset Classes

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

  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. 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

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?