illinois green cleaning legislative overview
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Illinois Green Cleaning Legislative Overview . Claris Olson Environmental Health Associate February 20, 2008. Program Description. What is Green Cleaning and why it’s important Green Cleaning Legislative Overview Tools to help you implement a Green Cleaning program. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
clean environment, healthy children, better education
Claris OlsonEnvironmental Health Associate
February 20, 2008
Illinois Green Cleaning Legislative Overview
Program Description
What is Green Cleaning and why it’s important
Green Cleaning Legislative Overview Tools to help you implement a Green
Cleaning program.
About Us: Program Focus
• Environmental
Health• Wellness/Food
and Fitness• Building Strong
Stakeholder Support
About Us: Green Cleaning
HSC major program focus
CPS Programs State Policy National Program
What is Green Cleaning?
Cleaning to
Protect Health without
Harming the Environment.
Why is Green Cleaning Important?
1. Helps students stay healthy and learn
2. Protects the health of custodial staff
3. Increases thelifespan of facilities
4. Preserves theenvironment
Why is Green Cleaning Important? Helps Students Stay Healthy and Learn
Healthy Environment
Healthy Children
Quality Education
Healthy environments boost staff and student performance—teachers teach well and students learn well.
Why is Green Cleaning Important?Indoor Air Quality
Indoor air is typically 2 to 5 times worse than outdoor air and can be up to 100 times more polluted.
Many traditional cleaning products contain harmful chemicals that contribute to poor indoor air quality.
50% of schools have an indoor air quality problem.
Why is Green Cleaning Important? Children’s Health
Proportionally, children breathe, drink and eat more than adults
Children’s behavior increases their potential exposure
Their bodies are still developing
Why is Green Cleaning Important? Asthma
Leading cause of student absenteeism due to a chronic disease
14 million school days are lost annually
If kids are not in school, they can’t learn
Why is Green Cleaning Important? Protects the Health of Custodial Staff
Custodial staff using traditional cleaning products may be exposed to chemicals that can cause:
skin and eye irritation respiratory problems reproductive disorders especially for women
in their child bearing years. cancer
Why is Green Cleaning ImportantLow-income and Minority Worker Health
Research shows that people from
low-income and minority communities have more exposure to environmental hazards than the general population.
Why is Green Cleaning Important? Preserves the Environment
Production cycle is less harmful Cleaning industry uses 6 billion
pounds of chemicals annually Packaging reduces waste
4.5 billion pounds of paper, 35 million trees
Products and waste streams are not hazardous to water supplies
Legislative Overview
New York Law became effective September 1, 2006
Illinois law passed August 18, 2007 Other states are developing similar
legislation
Key Provisions of Illinois Law
Applies to all elementary and secondary schools
Guidelines developed by the IL Green Government Council Feb ’08
Opportunity for public input in the process
Schools will be allowed to use existing stocks of cleaning products.
Exemptions allowed if not economically feasible
What are the purchasing requirements
Product Categories Bathroom Cleaners Carpet Cleaner General Purpose
Cleaners Glass, Window &
Mirror Cleaners Hand Cleaners &
Hand Soaps Paper
Certifications Green Seal Environmental
Choice EcoLogo U.S. EPA Design for
the Environment U.S. EPA
Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines for Commercial and Industrial Sanitary Tissue (Paper Only)
What are non-pre-qualified qualifications?
Products that are not third party certified may be qualified if they meet the certification requirements.
Requires Manufacturers submit 3rd party laboratory test data to IGGCC
What other recommendations are provided?
Environmentally preferable recommendations for cleaning products that are not covered by the certification programs such as air fresheners, chrome cleaners, degreasers etc.
Equipment recommendations for vacuums, extractors, etc.
Best practices
What about Exemptions
Exemptions by product category Use form on the Council's website - http://
www.standingupforillinois.org/green/school_cleaning.php
Each school must apply, although multiple schools in a district may apply together
The school must provide cost comparison data including dilution information
Must be post marked by June 30 and good for the following fiscal year July-June
Must be renewed annually
What about disinfectants
The Guidelines give recommendations on: environmentally preferable disinfectants best practices on the use of
disinfectants Does not supersede any existing
public health laws
What is the timeline for implementation?
Public Act 095-0084 was passed into law on August 13, 2007
February 1 - Illinois Register Comment period (45 days) Second comment period (45 days) Guidelines become finalized May 9, 2008 After May 9 schools must comply with
requirements or seek exemption Qualified products: standingupforillinois.org/green/school_cleaning.ph
Do I need to dump my existing supplies?
No, Schools may deplete existing cleaning and maintenance supply stocks and implement the new requirements in the procurement cycle for the following school year.
How can HSC help?
The Quick & Easy Guide to Green Cleaning in Schools Guide Structure
Why Green Cleaning Five Easy Steps Institutionalize Your Program Products
Other Features FAQ Real Life Examples Tools
5 Steps Green Cleaning in Schools
Step 1 Switch to Green Cleaning Products
Step 2 Introduce Green EquipmentStep 3 Adopt Green Cleaning Procedures
Step 4 Use Green Paper and Plastic Products
Step 5 Share the Responsibility
Healthy Schools Campaign
Claris OlsonClaris [email protected]@healthyschoolscampaign.org
Cell: 312.480.1924Cell: 312.480.1924Office: 312.419.1810Office: 312.419.1810
205 West Monroe, Fourth Floor205 West Monroe, Fourth FloorChicago, IL 60606Chicago, IL 60606
www.healthyschoolscampaign.org