Introducing the new Healthy Green Schools & Colleges program, a partnership between Green Seal and Healthy Schools Campaign to create a verifiable program for sustainable facilities management for schools and universities nationwide.
Platinum Sponsors
PROTECT STUDENT HEALTH WITH SAFER DISINFECTION
Healthy Green Schools & Colleges’ Guidelines for COVID-19 Cleaning and Disinfection provide K-12, college and university facility, custodial and housekeeping managers actionable best practices to protect students, staff and custodial personnel amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The guidelines were developed in partnership with recognized leaders in green cleaning and facilities management at schools and universities, and are based on the latest scientific understanding of the particular characteristics of the COVID-19 virus.
The recommendations reflect Green Seal’s expertise in setting science-based standards for high-performance cleaning products and practices that reduce unnecessary use of hazardous chemicals and promote safer and healthier indoor air. They also reflect Healthy Schools Campaign’s experience working directly with facility cleaning directors and custodial leaders at schools and colleges across the country for more than a decade.
FROM KINDERGARTEN TO COLLEGE, YOU WANT YOUR SCHOOLS TO BE HEALTHY AND SAFE
Green Seal® can help.
Cleaning is essential to protecting health. Unfortunately, cleaning products often contain harmful, flammable, or carcinogenic chemicals and asthmagens – sometimes even when they are advertised as “green” or “natural.”
Younger, developing bodies can be extra vulnerable to threats from toxic chemicals and polluted indoor air. Greener education settings can mean fewer sick days, lower maintenance costs, and safer environments for students and staff.
For decades, Green Seal has been a vital resource for school districts, colleges, and universities across the country to transform their campuses into cleaner, healthier places to live, learn and play.
Purchasing greener products and implementing a green cleaning program in your school can have the following benefits:
Improved Indoor Air Quality
Less dust
Fewer allergens
Strict VOC limits
Reduced Incidents of Illness
Reduction in reported illnesses
Fewer reported doctor visits
Fewer days absent
BUY SMARTER WITH GREEN SEAL®
School procurement officers have a choice when they buy school products. Smart leaders look for the Green Seal® Mark.
States and counties across the U.S. have legislation and guidelines that mandate the purchase of third-party certified environmentally preferable products and services. Nearly half of U.S. states and thousands of universities, colleges, school districts, and healthcare facilities specify Green Seal as a trusted resource for environmentally preferable purchasing.
CERTIFY YOUR SCHOOL’S CLEANING PROGRAM
Schools, colleges, and universities with Green Seal-certified cleaning programs lead the nation in placing the health of students and staff first. Our Cleaning Services Standard (GS-42) helps your school custodial staff pioneer cutting-edge, science-based cleaning practices that demonstrate genuine sustainability leadership.
Green Seal’s Environmental Leadership Standards are a roadmap to healthier, greener schools. They define Green Seal certification requirements and recommendations for frequently-used categories such as floor care, general purpose cleaners, paints, and cleaning programs. Our standards are used each day by thousands of purchasers including health-conscious facility managers, school boards, universities, daycare facilities, and PTAs.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Find more information and tools for greening your schools with the following resources:
- Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education
- Healthy Schools Network
- A Toolkit for Action: Addressing the Health-Related Causes of Chronic Absenteeism, Healthy Schools Campaign
- Breathing Easier School Districts Make the Switch to Certified Green Cleaning Products [PDF], Regional Asthma Management and Prevention
- Green Purchasing Guides, US EPA