Green Cleaning in Schools:

Developments in State and Local Policy

New York

(1) N.Y. Green Cleaning Products Law

Citation: 16 N.Y. Educ. Code § 409-i (2005)

Effective: Sept. 2005

Available: http://www.ogs.state.ny.us/purchase/spg/pdfdocs/SEL409-1_SFL163-b.pdf

Summary: This law requires the state to establish guidelines for environmentally-sensitive cleaning and maintenance products to use in elementary and secondary school facilities, and schools are required to use these guidelines.

Key Provisions:

• Requirements for Using Green Cleaning Products. The law requires elementary and secondary schools to identify and procure environmentally-sensitive cleaning and maintenance products that are available in the form, function, and utility generally used in school facilities. Schools are required to follow guidelines, specifications, and sample product lists developed by the state for purchasing these products. Schools may deplete existing cleaning and maintenance supply stores.

• Guidelines and Specifications. Under the law, the commissioner of the Office of General Services (OGS), in consultation with the state environment, health and labor agencies, is required to establish and periodically amend guidelines and specifications for environmentally-sensitive cleaning and maintenance products for use in elementary and secondary school facilities. The law also requires the state to prepare and disseminate a sample list of products that meet such guidelines. (A description of the Guidelines developed under the law is included below.)

• Assistance to Schools. The state general services agency is required to provide assistance and guidance to elementary and secondary schools in carrying out the requirements of this section.

• Evaluation. The law requires the state Department of Education to issue a report analyzing the impact of its green cleaning guidelines and specifications on the purchasing, procurement and use of environmentally-sensitive cleaning and maintenance products by elementary and secondary schools.

Related Legislation: On June 30, 2007, a related state finance law took effect, requiring the state Office of General Services to maintain a list of contractors that produce, manufacture, or offer for sale the environmentally-sensitive cleaning and maintenance products used by elementary and secondary schools in accordance with the state’s guidance. (See 56 N.Y. State Fin. § 163-b).

(2) Administrative Guidelines Implementing N.Y. Green Cleaning Products Law

Citation: Office of General Services, New York State, “Guidelines and Specifications for the Procurement and Use of Environmentally Sensitive Cleaning and Maintenance Products for Public and Nonpublic Elementary and Secondary Schools in New York”

Effective: August 2006 (Revised August 2006 and March 2007)

Available: http://www.ogs.state.ny.us/bldgadmin/environmental/

Summary: These OGS Guidelines implement New York State’s green cleaning products law by establishing product standards and identifying best cleaning management practices. The 28-page document also contains a detailed review of the definitions, characteristics, and categories of green cleaning products.

Key Provisions:

• Product Selection/Specifications. The OGS Guidelines address five categories of products — cleaning products (general purpose cleaners, bathroom cleaners, carpet cleaners, and glass cleaners), hand soaps, floor finish products, floor finish stripper products and vacuum cleaners. For each of these areas, the Guidelines provide a list of products that schools must choose from. In listing these products, OGS has incorporated certain existing standards and certification programs — e.g., Green Seal, Inc., the Environmental Choice Program, and the Carpet and Rug Institute. Vendors and manufacturers may apply to have their products included in the state list, provided that the products are verified by a qualified third-party organization as meeting the standards. (See pp. 20-22).

• Best Cleaning and Management Practices. The OGS Guidelines encourage schools to use best cleaning and management practices to reduce risk of harm to human health and the environment. The Guidelines list 15 areas of best practices, including: reducing the need to clean with preventative measures, minimizing use of scented products, using cold water, vacuuming carpets frequently and maintaining vacuum cleaners and filters regularly, conducting further research on new cleaning technologies and equipment, providing faculty with access to general green cleaning product, and evaluating the procurement and use of sanitary paper products. (See pp. 11-19).

• Training and Technical Assistance. The Guidelines affirm the state’s intent to contract with a consulting company to provide schools with training and technical assistance. These services might include computerized space analysis and equipment audit, evaluation of staff size, customized training programs, or development of cleaning evaluation programs. (See p. 19).