-
Building a foundation for green cleaning
This prerequisite lays the groundwork for achieving the IEQ credits for green cleaningGreen cleaning is the use of cleaning products and practices that have lower environmental impacts and more positive indoor air quality impacts than conventional products and practices. (for an overview of all the green cleaning credits and how they relate to each other, see the diagram at right). A green cleaning policy provides your team with a document of guiding principles and a single reference point for questions.
You don’t have to hit your targets, such as the percentage of compliant cleaning products that you intend to use, but you do have to implement the policy to the best of your ability. The green cleaning credits award actual attainment of your goals.
Early is best
It’s critical to create your green cleaning policy early. It will inform the later parts of the EBOMEBOM is an acronym for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance, one of the LEED 2009 rating sytems. process and facilitate your team’s decision about which additional green cleaning credits you will pursue. Inserting all requirements for the other green cleaning credits directly into the policy at the outset will make it easier to review them later. You can always refine the policy later by removing extraneous language and requirements for credits you may have chosen not to pursue.
Keep it simple
The key to making your policy effective is keeping it simple, straightforward, and easy to use. Flexibility is a plus—for example, when you address green cleaning products, list the standards that products should meet and include some questions to ask vendors, but leave some room for discretion about exactly which products should be ordered.
Consider these questions before pursuing this credit
- Is the building’s cleaning program managed in-house or by a cleaning vendor?
- If the cleaning program is handled by an outside vendor, do they have a green cleaning program that they can execute onsite? If not, are they willing to learn to integrate green cleaning practices into their existing program?
- Do preferred product suppliers carry LEED-compliant options?
- How is training handled for cleaning staff? What does the training curriculum entail?
- Does the project building have a tracking system for purchasing cleaning supplies and equipment?
- Does the project building have a system for collecting occupant feedback?
- What opportunities are there to improve the existing cleaning program?
- Does your building contain spaces with special cleaning requirements, such as laboratories, healthcare, or food preparation spaces?
- What are the existing cleaning products and procedures? Are they written down?
- Is the policy easy to use and helpful as a reference?
FAQs for LEED-EBOM IEQp3
What’s the difference between the policy and the program?
The policy is required to meet the prerequisite and clearly establishes high-level goals and sustainability criteria for the green cleaning program. The green cleaning program carries out the goals and strategies of the policy by establishing guidelines for cleaning procedures. Although the two components are distinct for the LEED prerequisite and credit, teams often meet both the prerequisite and the credit requirements with the same document.
What if my project has rules or regulations that contradict the policy requirement, such as using bleach in a school or using abrasive cleaners in a healthcare environment?
The prerequisite requires that the policy establish goals and sustainability criteria for cleaning activities but compliance is not based on the ability to meet the policy goals or to meet the sustainability criteria 100% of the time. However, teams should make every effort to follow the policy as much as possible and to modify current practices that clearly contradict with the intent of the green cleaning policy.
Our project consists of a building with multiple tenants. The core areas are maintained by building management but the tenants are responsible for their own cleaning. Can I still achieve the prerequisite?
This prerequisite requires setting goals for the green cleaning program and demonstrating the management’s commitment to implementing a green cleaning program in spaces controlled by the management. To earn the associated credit (IEQc3.1) the project team has to demonstrate that a comprehensive green cleaning program has been implemented in at least 90% of the occupied areas of the building. Thus, in a multi-tenant building where the tenants are responsible for their own cleaning programs, project teams should not expect many challenges regarding prerequisite compliance, but complying with IEQc3.1 will require coordination with tenant cleaning services.
Does being a GS-42 Certified Provider assist in meeting the prerequisite and associated credit requirements?
Unfortunately there is no official streamlined option for contracting with a GS-42 certified provider to simplify the LEED documentation, however the service provider is probably already doing most of what LEED requires for the prerequisite and associated credit requirements. That said, if you are working with a GS-42 certified provided, acquiring the necessary documentation will be significantly easier than working with a vendor who is new to green cleaning.
Legend
- Best Practices
- Gotcha
- Action Steps
- Cost Tip
USGBC
Excerpted from LEED 2009 for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance
IEQ Prerequisite 3: Green cleaning policy
Required
Intent
To reduce the exposure of building occupants and maintenance personnel to potentially hazardous chemical, biological and particulate contaminants, which adversely affect air quality, human health, building finishes, building systems and the environment.
Requirements
Have in place a green cleaningGreen cleaning is the use of cleaning products and practices that have lower environmental impacts and more positive indoor air quality impacts than conventional products and practices. policy for the building and site addressing the following green cleaning credits and other requirements:
- Purchase sustainable cleaning and hard floor and carpet care products meeting the sustainability criteria outlined in IEQ Credit 3.3: Green Cleaning—Purchase of Sustainable Cleaning Products and Materials.
- Purchase cleaning equipment meeting the sustainability criteria outlined in IEQ Credit 3.4: Green Cleaning—Sustainable Cleaning Equipment.
- Establish standard operating procedures addressing how an effective cleaning and hard floor and carpet maintenance system will be consistently utilized, managed and audited. Specifically address cleaning to protect vulnerable building occupants.
- Develop strategies for promoting and improving hand hygiene, including both hand washing and the use of alcohol-based waterless hand sanitizers.
- Develop guidelines addressing the safe handling and storage of cleaning chemicals used in the building, including a plan for managing hazardous spills or mishandling incidents.
- Develop requirements for staffing and training of maintenance personnel appropriate to the needs of the building. Specifically address the training of maintenance personnel in the hazards of use, disposal and recycling of cleaning chemicals, dispensing equipment and packaging.
- Provide for collecting occupant feedback and continuous improvement to evaluate new technologies, procedures and processes.
This policy must adhere to the LEED 2009 for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance policy model (see Introduction). At a minimum, the policy must cover the green cleaning procedures and materials that are within the building and site management’s control.
Potential Technologies & Strategies
During the performance period, establish a written green cleaningGreen cleaning is the use of cleaning products and practices that have lower environmental impacts and more positive indoor air quality impacts than conventional products and practices. policy addressing SOPs, sustainable products and equipment, chemical handling and storage, and staff training.
Web Tools
Environmental Choice Certified Products
Database of EcoLogo-certified products.
Green Seal Standard 36 (GS–36)
Database of Green Seal-certified products, including paper products, cleaning chemicals and hand soap.
EPA Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines for Trash Bags
Resource for information on compliant trash bags, including thickness criteria.
Publications
California Code of Regulations Maximum Allowable VOC Levels
Lists the amounts of VOCsA volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is a carbon compound that vaporizes (becomes a gas) at normal room temperatures. VOCs contribute to air pollution directly and through atmospheric photochemical reactions (excluding carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, carbonic acid, metallic carbides and carbonates, and ammonium carbonate) to produce secondary air pollutants, principally ozone and peroxyacetyl nitrate. allowable in various products according to the California Code of Regulations Standards Percent Volatile Organic Compound by Weight.
Pennsylvania Green Building Operations and Maintenance Manual
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Department of General Services has published a comprehensive Green Building Maintenance Manual. This manual includes chapters on cleaning procedures and cleaning product selection.
Green Existing Schools Implementation Workbook
This USGBC publication focuses on operations and maintenance best practices and sustainable policies addressed by LEED-EBOMEBOM is an acronym for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance, one of the LEED 2009 rating sytems.. It includes useful resources including examples of green cleaningGreen cleaning is the use of cleaning products and practices that have lower environmental impacts and more positive indoor air quality impacts than conventional products and practices. policies.
Organizations
International Sanitary Supply Association
ISSA is an association of companies that manufacture, market, and distribute cleaning and maintenance products, equipment and services. Its website provides information about the cleaning industry and cleaning technologies, including accidental release prevention, risk management planning and green cleaningGreen cleaning is the use of cleaning products and practices that have lower environmental impacts and more positive indoor air quality impacts than conventional products and practices..
Technical Guides
IEQ Space Matrix
This spreadsheet categories dozens of specific space types according to how they should be applied under various IEQ credits. This document is essential if you have questions about how various unique space types should be treated.
Green Cleaning Program Template
Use this template as a guide for formalizing your green cleaningGreen cleaning is the use of cleaning products and practices that have lower environmental impacts and more positive indoor air quality impacts than conventional products and practices. practices into a comprehensive policy covering the requirements of IEQp3, IEQc3.1, and IEQc3.5.
LEED-EBOM Policy, Program and Plan Models
Your LEED-EBOMEBOM is an acronym for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance, one of the LEED 2009 rating sytems. plans must include all required elements of the Program & Plan Model, which is described in this USGBC document.
Sample LEED Online Form
The tips on this sample LEED Online form demonstrate how to document IEQp3.
LEED Online Forms: LEED-EBOM IEQ
The following links take you to the public, informational versions of the dynamic LEED Online forms for each EBOMEBOM is an acronym for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance, one of the LEED 2009 rating sytems.-2009 IEQ credit. You'll need to fill out the live versions of these forms on LEED Online for each credit you hope to earn.
Version 4 forms (newest):
- IEQp1: Minimum IAQ Performance
- IEQp2: ETS Control
- IEQc1.3: Increased Ventilation
- IEQc1.4: Reduce Particulates
- IEQc2.4: Daylight & Views
- IEQc3.2: Custodial Effectiveness Assessment
Version 3 forms:
- IEQp1: Minimum IAQ Performance
- IEQp2: ETS Control
- IEQp3: Green Cleaning Policy
- IEQc1.1: IAQ Management Program
- IEQc1.2: Outdoor Air Delivery Monitoring
- IEQc1.3: Increased Ventilation
- IEQc1.4: Reduce Particulates
- IEQc2.1: Occupant Comfort—Occupant Survey
- IEQc2.2: Controllability of Systems—Lighting
- IEQc2.3: Controllability of Systems—Thermal Comfort
- IEQc2.4: Daylight & Views
- IEQc3.1: High-Performance Cleaning Program
- IEQc3.2: Custodial Effectiveness Assessment
- IEQc3.3: Purchase of Sustainable Cleaning Products
- IEQc3.4: Sustainable Cleaning Equipment
- IEQc3.5: Chemical & Pollutant Source Control
These links are posted by LEEDuser with USGBC's permission. USGBC has certain usage restrictions for these forms; for more information, visit LEED Online and click "Sample Forms Download."
LEEDuser is produced by BuildingGreen, Inc., with YR&G authoring most of the original content. LEEDuser enjoys ongoing collaboration with USGBC.
37 Comments
SOP's
For this prerequisite, do you need to put the specific SOPA standard operating procedure (SOP) manual can be used to document routine operations and maintenance practices, and to encourage use of standardized best practices.'s for the building?
Example
Floor-care maintenance shall consistently be performed according to written protocols, without exception. QC checks will be used to ensure 100% adoption.
PRACTICES TO OPTIMIZE HARD-FLOOR AND CARPET MAINTENANCE
The floor and carpet maintenance program at is designed to use few, or no, harmful chemicals; remove and eliminate irritating dust, dirt and other contaminants; and protect and preserve floors.
To minimize chemical use, has reduced the frequency of stripping or removing coatings to and is able to maximize the floor’s longevity, thereby conserving cleaning and floor restoration materials and minimizing occupants’ exposure to harmful chemicals.
A written floor maintenance plan and log shall be maintained, which details the number of coats of floor finish being applied as the base and other applications (top coat), along with all relevant maintenance/restoration practices and the dates and duration of these activities.
For example do we have to include the floor maintenance plan and log into the prerequisite or stating that we have one is enough? We do the general information that is stated in the template but want to know if we have to put every SOP in description in the prerequisite or will the general info in the template work?
Reason being is that we have a global policy that follows LEED criteria and want to use that. It does not have our specific SOP's for each individual building but has the general language of what we are doing but does not include specific logs in the policy. Could that be used or do we need to add the logs and such to it?
David,
It sounds like your global policy that follows the LEED criteria will be sufficient for meeting the Green CleaningGreen cleaning is the use of cleaning products and practices that have lower environmental impacts and more positive indoor air quality impacts than conventional products and practices. prerequisite. The policy does not need to include building specific logs or tables. When pursuing the credits where performance is tracked, the specific logs for each building should be documented.
Owner's Policy, or Cleaning Contractor's Policy?
Hello,
I am working on a project that is owned an occupied by a single company that uses a cleaning contractor. Does the Green CleaningGreen cleaning is the use of cleaning products and practices that have lower environmental impacts and more positive indoor air quality impacts than conventional products and practices. Policy have to be developed and implemented by the Owner? Or is it acceptable to submit the cleaning contractor's Green Cleaning Policy? It seems a bit unnecessary for the Owner to develop a Green Cleaning Policy when their cleaning contractor already has one. This question also applies to the IEQc3.1 Cleaning Program.
Margaret, you can submit the cleaning contractor's Green CleaningGreen cleaning is the use of cleaning products and practices that have lower environmental impacts and more positive indoor air quality impacts than conventional products and practices. Policy as long as it meets the LEED requirements and is implemented at the project building.
Green Cleaning Policy Signatures
Is a signature required on the EBOMEBOM is an acronym for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance, one of the LEED 2009 rating sytems. IEQ p3 policy? If so, would it be person assigned as Responsible party, like housekeeping manager, or would it be tenant? Is a signature required on all "policies" within LEED?
Janna, I would reference the resources in LEEDuser's Documentation Toolkit above to see the required elements of an IEQp3 policy. Offhand, I don't think a signature is one of them.
Hi Janna,
Signatures are not required by LEED for any policies (although some LEED Credit Forms do have a Required Signatory field, and IEQp3 is one of them).
This question raises an interesting point that some organizations have a member of senior management sign off on company policies when they're formally approved. When that's the case, it's worth thinking about whether following that internal procedure for your LEED policies makes sense as a way to reinforce the importance/legitimacy of your sustainability commitments. But from a LEED compliance perspective, its 100% up to the project team to decide if a signature on your policy documents provides any benefit or not.
IEQp3 Entryway Systems
Does anyone know if the 10ft long entryway mats can be split into two mats? Example: a rugged outdoor matt followed by an indoor carpeted mat...total combined distance with the 2 mats would = 10ft. Does that work?
that will work. be sure to have an ongoing maintenance plan for both mats.
LEED EBOM 2009 IEQ p3 form
We are applying for an green cleaningGreen cleaning is the use of cleaning products and practices that have lower environmental impacts and more positive indoor air quality impacts than conventional products and practices. ID credit as part of our CI LEED application, and design review comments requested we submit the above-listed form for credit compliance. Where can I obtain a copy of this form? I currently do not have any EB projects in progress. Thanks!
Sandra,
You can downloand Sample Forms for all the rating systems through LEED-Online. After you're logged in there is a Sample Forms Download button in the right hand corner, near the logout button. Make sure you download the active and most recent version (v3 or 4 usually).
Even easier, you can download sample forms via the Dcumentation Toolkit tab above.
time green cleaning needs to be in place
I am wondering if we are applying this credit as an innovation credit for a NC project, if it needs to be in place before the tenants have moved in, or is there a window of time within which it is required?
It would be best to have the plan in place prior to tenants moving in so that it can be included in their lease agreements if they are providing their own cleaning, or so they can be aware of the green cleaningGreen cleaning is the use of cleaning products and practices that have lower environmental impacts and more positive indoor air quality impacts than conventional products and practices. program and expectations if the landlord is providing the cleaning. However, if it is going into place after tenants have moved in, I don't think that necessarily means you can't earn the ID credit for an NC project.
Green Cleaning Policies
Are there any examples of GC policies that could be shared? I need to write one for the County that will cover a range of buildings, including a hospital, and would love to have a good example to start from that is in the LEED format. We plan on going after several of the other GC points as well. jill.boone@faf.sccgov.org if you have one to share! Thanks.
Jill, Have you downloaded the Green CleaningGreen cleaning is the use of cleaning products and practices that have lower environmental impacts and more positive indoor air quality impacts than conventional products and practices. template under the Documentation Toolkit tab above? It’s a great resource for developing a Green Cleaning policy that will meet the LEED requirements/format, and you should add specifics about your buildings, especially if you have additional requirements for the hospital.
Hi Jill,
There is a good example in the Green Existing Schools Implementation Workbook which you can download here. It's sort of a hidden gem, I use it all the time!
Thank you! I haven't spent much time in LEEDuser, but am really glad to find these templates and guides. This will make it much easier!
GS-42 Certified service providers
Can anyone provide feedback on the benefits of contracting with a GS-42 Certified service provider from a LEED perspective? I understand that the obvious benefit would be that the service provider is probably already doing most of what LEED requires for EQp3, EQc3.1 and potentially EQc3.3 and EQc3.4, but does that translate to a streamlined or simplified LEED documentation process in anyway?
Thanks!
Steve, unfortunately there is no official streamlined option for contracting with a GS-42 certified provider to simplify the LEED documentation. However, if you are working with a GS-42 certified provided, acquiring the necessary documentation will be significantly easier than working with a vendor who is new to green cleaningGreen cleaning is the use of cleaning products and practices that have lower environmental impacts and more positive indoor air quality impacts than conventional products and practices.. Certified providers must comply with the GS-42 criteria, which is very similar to the LEED requirements. A few of these requirements include; a building-specific green cleaning plan, requirements for new powered cleaning equipment (the criteria is almost identical to the LEED criteria), and purchasing environmentally preferable products. Have you thought about submitting a CIRCredit Interpretation Ruling. Used by design team members experiencing difficulties in the application of a LEED prerequisite or credit to a project. Typically, difficulties arise when specific issues are not directly addressed by LEED information/guide or LEED InterpretationLEED Interpretations are official answers to technical inquiries about implementing LEED on a project. They help people understand how their projects can meet LEED requirements and provide clarity on existing options. LEED Interpretations are to be used by any project certifying under an applicable rating system. All project teams are required to adhere to all LEED Interpretations posted before their registration date. This also applies to other addenda. Adherence to rulings posted after a project registers is optional, but strongly encouraged. LEED Interpretations are published in a searchable database at usgbc.org. for this inquiry? This seems to be a valid topic to submit a LEED Interpretation to streamline documentation for project teams as well as reviewers.
I am certified by a GS-42 Training Accreditation Program for CleanSolution Services. If the service provider is GS-42 certified provider they have many stringent standards they have to follow to be compliant with GS-42. GS-42 is much more stringent that the LEED requirements. They should be very well versed on how Green CleaningGreen cleaning is the use of cleaning products and practices that have lower environmental impacts and more positive indoor air quality impacts than conventional products and practices. can aid in LEED requirements. It's a huge difference dealing with a GS-42 company versus a non certified company. Feel free to contact me for more questions and clarification on this subject.
green cleaning in schools
What do you do about achieving this Prereq if the school district requires the use of bleach as a disinfectant?
Lauren, that should not preclude you from earning the prereq. What specifically made you concerned about that?
Tristan, thank you so much for getting back to me on this; this particular topic has thrown a wrench into our LEED process. We've not submitted for review yet, but we are well into documentation. Bleach doesn't meet Greenseal or any of those other standards named in the prereq, right? Doesn't the prereq require that the cleaning products used in the building be either Greenseal or one of those other standards? (Sorry, I don't have the Reference Guide in front of me at the moment.) Maybe I'm misunderstanding the intent of the prereq??
Lauren, I think it's important to distinguish between the prereq and the credits. The prereq requires you to have a green cleaningGreen cleaning is the use of cleaning products and practices that have lower environmental impacts and more positive indoor air quality impacts than conventional products and practices. policy in place and even goals for meeting certain thresholds, and you have to implement that policy to the best of your abilities, but you don't have to hit your targets. That's for the credits.
Looked at from a wider angle, perhaps implementing such a policy will prod the school district into considering greener products.
Ah! Whew! Okay, that makes sense. Thanks so much for your guidance on this.
Scope of the policy
Hello,
Our project consists of a building with many different tenancy areas. The core areas are managed by the landlord and have a green cleaningGreen cleaning is the use of cleaning products and practices that have lower environmental impacts and more positive indoor air quality impacts than conventional products and practices. policy. However, tenants have their own cleaning policy. Must they also comply with the credit requirements ?
Thanks,
Yes, they would need to comply, since they are part of the LEED project area. It's always been more challenging to earn EB O&M in multi-tenant buildings, where individual tenants make their own purchasing and management decisions, but it certainly the intent of the credit to address all the tenant spaces and not just the common areas. Many multi-tenant buildings provide cleaning services to tenant areas as part of the lease agreements, and so this credit is easier to achieve in those situations. In other cases, some building owners have provided green cleaningGreen cleaning is the use of cleaning products and practices that have lower environmental impacts and more positive indoor air quality impacts than conventional products and practices. products for free to the tenants, since that cost was fairly small.
In Reference Guide it is written as:
At a minimum, the policy must cover the green cleaningGreen cleaning is the use of cleaning products and practices that have lower environmental impacts and more positive indoor air quality impacts than conventional products and practices.
procedures and materials that are within the building and site management’s control.
As I understand, the tenant areas do not have to comply with the policy/prerequisite in case they are not under building and site management's control. However, if you would like to apply for the credit to earn points, then at least 90% of the area of the building should comply with the requirements. Am I misinterpreting?
Check the text of this item under our Checklists tab above—it covers what to expect in this regards for the prereq and credit.
Equipment Purchases
We are implementing a Green CleaningGreen cleaning is the use of cleaning products and practices that have lower environmental impacts and more positive indoor air quality impacts than conventional products and practices. Policy for an ID credit in NCv2009, which simply requires that you meet this prerequisite (not Credits 3.3 & 3.4). However, despite being NC, this project is a gut remodel and has existing cleaning equipment so we aren't making new equipment purchases. Has anyone defined what is required in this situation? Must 20% of our equipment meet the policy now, or can the policy simply apply to future purchases?
You have a little flexibility when adapting an EBOMEBOM is an acronym for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance, one of the LEED 2009 rating sytems. credit to use as an ID credit in NC, so if you feel your policy is less rigorous in some areas you can compensate in others.
If you were pursuing this under EBOM, you would have show that 20% of your equipment inventory meets the policy, which might require some purchases.
For your ID credit, however, you might want to consider adapting parts of 3.1 and 3.3 in addition to the EQp3 steps into your Green CleaningGreen cleaning is the use of cleaning products and practices that have lower environmental impacts and more positive indoor air quality impacts than conventional products and practices. Policy, such as a contract with a janitorial services company that agrees to use approved products, a contract for the purchase of green cleaning products, etc.
Thanks! We are also including other aspects of EBOMEBOM is an acronym for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance, one of the LEED 2009 rating sytems. into the credit. For reference to help others looking for this ID credit, the GBCI reviewer said to provide a copy of a completed EBOM IEQp3 Credit Form (I am not sure if the accompanying policy must be uploaded). So the policy must meet all aspects of the prerequisite, although there is no performance period to track.
existing green cleaning policy
my client has an existing green cleaningGreen cleaning is the use of cleaning products and practices that have lower environmental impacts and more positive indoor air quality impacts than conventional products and practices. policy not crafted in the format of LEED. i'm preparing a cover letter in the format of LEED to guide the LEED assessor to locate the information required within the existing green cleaning policy. my questions refer to filling out the template form as below:
1) in this case, do i need to click on the "additional details" portion to alert the assessor?
2) if so, do i click on "special circumstances preclude documentation of prerequisite compliance with the submittal requirements outlined in this form" or " project team is using alternative compliance approach"?
On the LEED Online form for this credit there is the following wording:
"Upload a copy of the compliant Green CleaningGreen cleaning is the use of cleaning products and practices that have lower environmental impacts and more positive indoor air quality impacts than conventional products and practices. policy/contract that covers the project building and includes relevant requirements."
It is followed by a checklist of requirements.
My thinking is that an alternative compliance approach would only be warranted if not all of these could be checked off, or if you had a totally different way of approaching things or documenting them. My feeling is that your cover letter does the job and you shouldn't go on the alt. path.
I was wondering when writing
I was wondering when writing the cleaning policy do you include products and/or equipment that are used at the site in the approved product/equipment list even if they do not meet any of the sustainability criteria?
Rachel,
Only products that comply with the sustainability criteria should be listed in these sections. The approved product and equipment list sections are intended to be filled out as references for future users of the Policy. As such, when future Policy users need to identify a compliant vacuum or compliant window washing solvent, all they have to do is look at these tables and they'll know what products have been pre-vetted. Does that make sense?
Start a new LEED comment thread