Page 20 - The Edge - Winter 2021

Green Cleaning Becomes More Important in Pandemic

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and maintenance staff. Brown strongly recommended Green cleaning helps students stay healthy and ready
purchasing products made in America. He said he was to learn, Brown noted.
shocked to see how reliant the U.S. is on imports for
such things as gloves, caps and masks. While foreign- He walked AASBO members through the five steps to
made products may be cost-effective, he said, buying green cleaning.
Made in the USA reduces unnecessary transportation
from abroad and that cuts down on air pollution. First, prepare your school – assemble your team.
Brown said the team should include a facility manager
“Why go green?” Brown asked. He said 14 million or director of operations, someone from janitorial,
days of school are missed every year by students with HVAC, maintenance, the head custodian, somebody
asthma due to poor air quality, and that switching to to test products, a union rep, a health officer or
green cleaning saved a New York school district nearly school nurse, a school board member, possibly your
$400,000 a year, that it can expand the life of carpets pest control contractor, teachers and parents. He also
by 10-to-15 years, and that it can improve workplace suggested including students, who benefit from a
safety. healthy environment and can make life for the cleaning
“One thing that jumps out to me is indoor air quality,” staff easier or more difficult.
Brown said. “At a time with this silent enemy –
COVID – that’s the reason why we wear masks and The team should assess where you are today, what
social distance.” opportunities are there and the preparations needed

Clean

Green

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20 THE EDGE WINTER 2021