Green Cleaning

As concerns about chemicals in the environment grow, there is an effort to reduce the amount and type of chemicals people are exposed to every day. In light of this, a law was passed in 2009 by the CT legislature that requires schools to start a green cleaning program in the schools by July 2011. School Districts need the cooperation of staff and parents to both comply with the law, and protect the health of students and staff.

Overview of the CT Green Cleaning Products Law

CT GREEN CLEANING PRODUCTS IN SCHOOLS LAW SUMMARY
(CT Public Act 09-81; CT General Statutes Section Nos. 10-220 and 10-231 g)

Requires school districts to implement a green cleaning program to clean and maintain their schools by July 1 2011:

1. Green cleaning program means the procurement and proper use of environmentally preferable cleaning products as defined by the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) for all state-owned buildings. DAS currently requires that environmentally preferable cleaning products used in state-owned buildings be independently certified by one of two third-party certified organizations: Green Seal or Eco Logo.

2. By July 1, 2011 and thereafter no person shall use a cleaning product in a public
school unless it meets the DAS standard.

3. The types of cleaning products covered in this legislation include: general purpose cleaners, bathroom cleaners, glass cleaners, floor finishes, floor strippers, hand cleansers and soaps.

4. Disinfectants, disinfecting cleaners, sanitizers or other antimicrobial products
regulated by the federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act are not covered by this law.

Requires the State Department of Education and State Department of Public Health to
amend the school facility survey (ED050) on or before April 1, 2010.

 Requires school districts to provide school staff and, upon request, parents or guardians
of students enrolled a written copy of the school’s green clean policy by October 2010
and annually thereafter.

Requires the school district green clean policy to include:

1. The types and names of environmentally preferable products being used
2. Locations of application of these products
3. Schedule of cleaning
4. The name of the supervisor in charge of green cleaning

Requires the school district green clean policy to contain the statement: “No parent,
guardian, teacher or staff member may bring into the school facility any consumer
product which is intended to clean, deodorize, sanitize or disinfect.”

Requires school districts to provide a written copy of the green clean policy to parents
and guardians of students who transfer to a school and to any staff hired during the school
year.

 Requires the school district green clean policy and information provided on the school
facility survey (ED050) about indoor air quality issues to be posted on each school’s
and/or the board of education’s website.

Materials About CT's Green Cleaning Products Program

Cleaning for Health Program Checklist  

Green Cleaning Information for Staff and Parents

The Nurse's Office: Cleaning the Safe and Healthy Way

Going Green in the School Kitchen 

 Information About Cleaning and Disinfectants:

               Technical Brief - Hand Sanitizers

                Cleaning Schools Effectively

Links: