3524.2-Green Cleaning Program

Cleaning chemicals can negatively impact indoor air quality and cause harm to the occupants of a school building. Therefore, the purpose of this policy is to encourage and promote the principles of green cleaning throughout the Newtown Public Schools, in compliance with applicable statutes. The Board of Education encourages and supports efforts to implement green cleaning in all District schools. This shall result in the implementation of a green cleaning program in all District facilities no later than July 1, 2011.

It is the policy of the Newtown Public Schools to achieve the maintenance of clean, safe, and healthy schools through the elimination of contaminants that affect children and adult health, performance and attendance and the implementation of cleaning processes and products that protect health without harming the environment.

The Board of Education will reduce exposure of school building occupants to potentially hazardous chemical cleaning products by adopting this Green Cleaning policy which requires the use of cleaning products in the schools that meet the guidelines or standards set by a national or international certification program approved by the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) in consultation with the Commissioner of Environmental Protection in order to minimize the potential harmful effects on human health and the environment. The Districts’ Green Cleaning Program is available on our website at www.newtown.k12.ct.us.

The transition to environmentally and health-friendly cleaning and/or sanitizing products shall be accomplished as soon as possible and in a manner that avoids the waste of existing inventories, accommodates establishment of supply chains for new products, enables the training of personnel in appropriate work practices, and allows the phase-out of products and practices inconsistent with this policy.

Definitions

“Green Cleaning Program” means the procurement and proper use of environmentally preferable cleaning products in school buildings and facilities.

Alternate Definitions:

(a) Green Cleaning is an approach to facility maintenance that uses cost-effective cleaning products and practices that protect human health and the environment. Cleaning products containing the least toxic compounds are utilized in combination with advanced technology and equipment that provide superior methods for removing dirt, soil, and particulates found in indoor environments.

(b) Green Cleaning is defined as cleaning to protect health without harming the environment. Green cleaning is an accepted movement that uses procedures and products to make cleaning for the health of building occupants, janitors, and the environment a primary concern.

“Environmentally Preferable Cleaning Products” means products or services that have a lesser or reduced effect on human health and the environment when compared with competing products or services that serve the same purpose. Such products must be approved by a Department of Administrative Services (DAS)-approved national or international certification program. This term includes, but is not limited to, general purpose cleaners, bathroom cleaners, glass and carpet cleaners, hand cleaners and soaps, and floor finishes and strippers. Excluded are any disinfectant, disinfecting cleaner, sanitizer or any other antimicrobial products regulated by the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act. Also excluded are products for which no guidelines or environmental standard has been established by any national or international certification program approved by the Department of Administrative Services or which is outside the scope of or is otherwise excluded under guidelines or environmental standards established by such a national or international certification program.

Notice Requirements

1. Annually the District will give to members of the school staff and to parents/guardians who request it, a written copy of this policy. In addition, this written statement shall also include:
   the names and types of environmentally preferable cleaning products used in the schools and where in the buildings they are applied;
2. the schedule for applying the products; and
3. the name of the school administrator or designee whom the parent/guardian or student may contact for more information.

The notice shall also contain the following 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.”

In addition, parents/guardians of any child who transfers during the school year, or a new staff member hired during the school year shall be notified of this green cleaning policy.

The Board will also make available on its website a copy of this green cleaning policy.

On or after July 1, 2011, and triennially thereafter, the Board will report to the Commissioner of Education on its green cleaning program, in a manner prescribed by the Commissioner.

(cf. 3524 – Hazardous Materials in Schools)
(cf. 3524.1 – Pesticide Application)
(cf. 7230.2 – Indoor Air Quality)

Legal Reference: Connecticut General Statutes

10-220 Duties of boards of education (as amended by P.A. 09-81 and P.A. 11-136)
10-231a through 10-231d. Pesticide applications at schools
10-231g Green Cleaning Program at schools: Definitions, Implementation, Notice.
 22a-46. Short title: Connecticut Pesticide Control Act.

Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) 7 U.S. Code 136 et seq.

Policy adopted: April 4, 2017                                   
NEWTOWN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Newtown, Connecticut

R3524.2(a)

Business/Non-Instructional Operations

Hazardous Material in Schools

Green Cleaning Program

Purpose:

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:

In accordance with the State of Connecticut Public Act No. 09-81: An Act Concerning Green Cleaning Products in Schools, the Newtown Public School District employs a green cleaning program utilizing environmentally preferable products and equipment throughout its facilities. The Newtown Public School District also employs the Tools for Schools IAQ program to enhance our Green Cleaning Program.  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.

Cleaning standards and practices for the district include:

• Utilize cleaning products that comply with criteria in ‘Industrial and Institutional Cleaner Specifications’ per Green Seal 37.
• Utilize cleaning equipment such as: vacuum cleaners with the Carpet and Rug Institutes “Green Label”; auto scrubbers with on-board chemical metering devices; floor buffers equipped with particulate guards and on-board vacuums.
• Utilize paper products such as roll towel and toilet tissue which are Green Seal Certified.
• Utilize hand soap in restroom dispensers which is Green Seal Certified.
• Create a listing of acceptable products utilized for cleaning and maintaining the facility.
• Create a listing of prohibited products and chemicals not permitted nor purchased for use in the facility.
• Develop requirements for training of custodial personnel appropriate to the building to address green cleaning.

Green Cleaning Administrator:
John Barlow, Director of Operations
203-426-7615
barlowj@newtown.k12.ct.us

Approved Products:

See PDF for Approved Products

Prohibited Products:

The following is a list of products that are prohibited for use in Newtown Public Schools:

• Aerosols containing ozone depleting products
• Non concentrated cleaning products (if concentrate is available)
• Products Containing Heavy Metals
• Alkylphenol ethoxylates (used as a surfactant in some cleaners)
• Phthalatates (used as a surfactant in some cleaners)

Training Requirements:

• The following are the requirements for the Green Cleaning Program:
  Custodial cleaning techniques will be an integral part of our Green Cleaning Program.
• Training will consist of an awareness of the green cleaning as it relates to IAQ.
• Training will include specific information regarding our preferred products.
• In service training will be provided as needed from our manufacturer(s).
• Finally, all green cleaning training will emphasize the goal of a clean, safe and healthy learning and working environment.

Regulation approved:           

April 4, 2017                       
Revised: May 27, 2021, December 22, 2023     
NEWTOWN PUBLIC SCHOOLS                                 
Newtown, Connecticut