Green Cleaning Efforts - Vermont
| Organization(s) |
Vermont Dept. of Environmental Conservation
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| Project Description |
In 2006, the State of Vermont refined existing criteria to evaluate environmentally-preferable (EP) cleaning products, reviewed proposals from suppliers, and wrote new contracts for EP custodial cleaning products. Contractors now provide a full line of basic custodial cleaning products that meet VT's EP criteria and meet the service and training requirements of the State. Contracted suppliers have exhibited a commitment to green cleaning products as part of their business practice, and have local representatives available to routinely meet with state maintenance staff to actively train and advise custodians in effective use of EP products in Vermont buildings. The vendors selected are committed to supporting Vermont policies relating to environmentally-preferable purchasing.
The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation Office of Environmental Assistance has provided technical and other assistance to the efforts to green-up the state contract for environmentally-preferable products, including custodial cleaning supplies. In addition, the Office helped establish the Vermont Environmentally-Preferable Purchasing Alliance, a group of public and private organizations and entities that are promoting the use of environmentally-preferable cleaners in Vermont schools.
Working with the University of Vermont, Center for Rural Studies, a phone survey was conducted and findings were statistically evaluated. The results were summarized in a paper, "Consumer Chemicals: Safeguarding Human Health and the Environment."
The Office of Environmental Assistance also helped to secure a Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP) grant for the Association of Vermont Recyclers (AVR) to develop and implement a multi-year effort to assist at least 30 Vermont schools to transition to EP cleaning products. AVR has developed expertise in this area and, despite the full expenditure of grant funds, continues to offer its services to Vermont schools. |
| More Info |
www.bgs.state.vt.us/PCA/epp/contracts.htm |
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| Project Contact |
| Name |
Doug Kievit-Kylar |
| Phone |
802-241-3628 |
| E-mail |
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| Project Keywords |
| Processes |
Cleaning |
| Areas of P2 Expertise |
Environmentally Preferable Purchasing |
| Industrial Sectors |
Educational Institutions |
| Activity Keywords |
Funding and grants, Policy/Legislative |
| |
| Source |
| Newsletter |
Northeast Assistance & Pollution Prevention News - Vol. 17 No. 1, Spring 2007 [PDF] |
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