Green Cleaning
Georgia Tech going No-Touch and Green Seal Certified
Our campus standard for paper towel and toilet tissue dispensers will change in the coming months.
We will install the No-Touch Hands Free Paper Towel and Tissue Dispensers. Along with this change, we have also incorporated Green Seal Certified paper towels and toilet tissue. Both products are non-virgin fiber, 100% post consumer waste and 100% recyclable.
We anticipate installation to begin during the month of February 2008 and last for several months to complete the entire campus (academic & administrative bldgs).
The signage on these new dispensers have been very well received by the students. Students across campus have asked for more signage like this, to increase awareness and education about sustainability in general, and to make students more aware of the many different actions Georgia Tech is taking across campus to a leader of sustainability.
Georgia Tech wins national Green Cleaning Award
See page 9 of 9 "American School and University" Green Cleaning Award for 2007
Green Cleaning Wins again!
At its annual Earth Day event this year, the campus community selected the Georgia Tech Buildng Services Department from a group of 65 exhibitors to receive "The Most Informative Booth" 10th Annual Earth Day, April 20th, 2007 Award. The theme was green cleaning. Earth Day is sponsored by Recycling at Georgia Tech.
Green Cleaning Initiative
As early as 2004, Georgia Tech's Building Services launched a Green Cleaning Initiative to aid our sustainability approach, improve the environment, and quality of life for the Georgia Tech Community.
We introduced Oxy Orange, a citrus base product that includes peroxide, to replace all general cleaning chemicals. It has been tested and proven to kill germs, is cost effective, and is not harmful to humans, animals, or the environment.
Along with the Green Cleaning Initiative, Building Services has introduced the use of Micro-Fiber Rags, Dust Mops, Wet Mops, and Green Certified Equipment. They pick up dust and dirt and are machine washable. Georgia Tech operates its own in house laundry and replaced its residential washing machines that require 28 gallons of water with front load washers that require only 14 gallons of water to wash microfiber mops and rags.
We have Tennant vacuums and scrubbers that are being used in most campus buildings. They are Green Certified carpet shampooing machines and vacuum cleaners. The vacuums have triple filtration systems that pick up dust mites and other allergenic particles from the carpet, exceed HEPA requirements, and quiet operation. We have Green Certified back pack vacuums to clean corners and under desks. Scrubbers employ foam cleaning, which use up to 70% less water and 90% less chemical than traditional equipment.
Green Certified tile cleaners are used to clean the pool deck at the Campus Recreation Center.
Tech uses environmentally friendly hand soap, paper products, cleaning equipment, floor finish, stripper, carpet cleaner, garbage bags and towel dispensers.
Institute purchasing policies require vendors provide only green products. Also, product manufacturers, distributors, or a third party must offer training or training materials on the proper use of the product. Primary packing for the product must be recyclable.
Records show a deline in employee absentee rates from July 2006 to the present.
As we move toward makng more of our campus buildings LEED certified and or registered, the Green Cleaning Initiative will definitely assist us in getting there.
Georgia Tech's Cleaning Services is part of the Operations and Maintenance Department within Facilities.
(from the Facilities Employee Newsletter, Winter 2007)