What about compostable bags for your food and yard waste?

There are lots of products available. But beware and always get samples to try, some products don't live up to their claims (big surprise). Your current suppliers may have access to an eco-friendly line.

There are a lot of green maintenance and cleaning products out there. I would certainly recommend you to watch a few recent RPN Webinars on the subject.

There was one for National Healthy Schools Day which outlined clean cleaning initiatives for school and another on Purchasing for Higher Education. Both can be accessed at http://www.responsiblepurchasing.org/webinars/

RPN also has a Guide on green cleaners to get you started, which is available for free at: http://www.responsiblepurchasing.org/purchasing_guides/cleaners/index.php

I hope that helps!

Phillip Kobernick

Can anyone explain the difference between Green Seal and EPA's Design for the Environment?
Why isn't Design for the Environment a certification included in STARS OP 11?

Following up on Lindsay's question...
We have cleaning products approved by the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI), the U.S. EPA Design for the Environment, and are biodegradable. Can these be included as certified "green cleaning" products for STARS?

Lindsay and Stefanie,
You raise a good issue and one that we've been thinking about since launching STARS 1.0 and subsequently STARS 1.1. At this point, STARS only recognizes products that are EcoLogo or Green Seal certified. Our Technical Advisors are considering the EPA's Design for the Environment program and whether that should be added to the STARS OP 11 for cleaning products purchasing. This type of change to STARS likely wouldn't happen until next year at the earliest (in accordance with our technical development policy). Take a look at the STARS 1.1 Technical Manual for more information about this credit and feel free to email stars@aashe.org with any questions.

Thanks and have a good day!
Meghan

Meghan,

Thank you for the information!

I do have one more question... We use the Active Ion Cleaning Solutions / Ionator for most of our general cleaning on campus. This piece of equipment uses only tap water for cleaning. Since no chemicals are used, Green Seal and EcoLogo certifications do not apply, yet the product may have the least environmental impact of any "green cleaning" system. I'm assuming that according to the way this credit is written, the Active Ion product does not apply?

Stefanie