Intoduction

About This Manual

This manual provides basic information about preferred cleaning products and processes that can reduce health, safety, and environmental risks associated with janitorial services. It also outlines a way in which building managers can transition from traditional cleaning systems to "green" cleaning systems.

It is intended to be used as a reference guide along with the text book, Protecting the Built Environment, by Michael Berry, to supplement the "Greening the Janitorial Business" course developed by the Department of Interior (DOI).

Acknowledgements

DOI thanks and credits the following individuals, institutions, and resources for their contributions to this manual:

The Janitorial Products Pollution Prevention Project and its sponsors (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, California/EPA Department of Toxic Substance Control, Santa Clara County Pollution Prevention Program, City of Richmond, and Local Government Commission) and authors (Thomas Barron, Linda Bookman, Debbie Raphael, and Carol Berg).
Thomas Barron, Consultant
Blaine Robinson, NISH
James Darr, EPA, Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) program.
Patrick Mooney and Joan Smith, Committee for Purchase from People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled.
ERG, Inc., Arlington, VA
Steve Ashkin, Consultant
Protecting the Built Environment: Cleaning for Health, by Michael Berry, Chapel Hill, NC, 1994.