Green Cleaning

Custodial

Bentley University is committed to keeping all facilities clean and well-maintained while doing so in an environmentally friendly manner.  The purpose of this program is to maximize the cleanliness of campus buildings while: (a) minimizing the exposure of building occupants to potentially hazardous chemicals and (b) minimizing the amount of chemicals introduced into the environment.

All cleaning products, with the exception Virex are Green Seal Certified.  According to Green Seal “the Green Seal mark represents compliance with a rigorous set of criteria designed to achieve leadership levels in sustainability.  Those that have been certified have met the same performance and quality requirements you would expect from the traditional, non-green counterparts due to the performance criteria in each of the Green Seal standards.” (source: Green Seal)  Green Seal also states: “the Green Seal Standard for Industrial and Institutional Cleaners, GS-37, establishes requirements for industrial and institutional general-purpose, restroom, glass and carpet cleaners.” (source: Green Seal)

The only cleaning product permissible for use by the cleaning staff that does not meet Green Seal Certification is the disinfectant Virex.  Virex is an antimicrobial product listed by the EPA as effective against methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin resistant enterococcus faecalis (VRE), hepatitis, HIV and influenza.  Virex is only used in bathrooms, locker rooms and several other areas of campus in smaller quantities.

All vacuum cleaners used by cleaning staff meet the requirements of the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) “Green Label Plus” Testing Program.  To earn the CRI Seal of Approval/Green Label certification, vacuums must pass laboratory tests for soil removal, dust containment and carpet fiber retention. (source: Carpet Rug)

Faculty, Staff and Students

Should faculty and staff desire to use their own cleaning products in kitchen and office spaces, it is recommended that the office purchase and use Green Seal Certified household cleaning products.  A list of certified household cleaners can be found at http://www.greenseal.org/ under “Find the Green Seal.”  Seventh Generation cleaning products are also recommended and can be purchased at Office Depot, the university’s preferred office supplier.

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT HOW TO GREEN YOUR ROOM (including Green Cleaning)

It is understood that residential students will clean their own rooms and apartments.  It is recommended that residential students use environmentally friendly cleaners in their rooms and apartments as a means to limit their exposure to the harmful chemicals found in traditional cleaning products.  The Office of Sustainability recommends the following brands of green cleaners which can be purchased at most grocery stores, pharmacies and big box stores (such as Target):