Campus Cleaning Program

Suffolk University and the cleaning company it contracts, ABM Janitorial Services, are dedicated to improving indoor air quality and minimizing environmental impact.  Therefore, we engage in environmentally preferred cleaning practices.

Cleaning products used by the cleaning staff at Suffolk are manufactured by Ecolab.  The products are Green Seal Certified or Environmentally Preferred.

Green Seal Certified Products:

• 310 Neutral Cleaner
• 510E General Purpose Cleaner
• 520E Glass Cleaner
• 910E Bathroom Cleaner

Floor Finishes

For floor finish, Suffolk is switching to Ecolab Zinc Free Finish and Zinc Free Finish remover.

Vacuuming

As upright vacuums need replacement, they are replaced with HEPA upright vacuums. High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters remove a minimum of 99.97% of contaminants at 0.3 microns in size. In comparison, a human hair is about 60-75 microns in diameter. Particles less than 35 microns can’t be seen with the naked eye. Pollen is in the 10-100 micron range, with dust at .5-5 microns. Particles under 5 microns can penetrate deep into the lungs.

The Back Pack vacuums meet the criteria for filterization.

Cloths

The campus uses microfiber cloths that are laundered as needed. This reduces waste by using reusable cloths.  Cleaning with microfiber products is environmentally friendly because chemical use can be minimized. Microfiber products are lint free, extremely soft and do not scratch surfaces, but at the same time, they are sturdy and tough on dirt. Test results show microfiber can reduce bacteria levels by 96% yet requires less labor.

"Hands-free" paper towel dispensers reduce the potential for cross-contamination, control the amount of paper used, minimize waste and reduce maintenance time.

Source: One Source.  To learn more, visit http://www.one-source.com/en/features_greenproducts.html. 

Student Cleaning & Laundry Practices

Students can contribute to the campus’ green cleaning program by purchasing environmentally friendly cleaning and laundry products, instead of harsh chemicals that are detrimental to health and our environment.  Most retail outlets now have environmentally preferred products available.  To learn more, check out the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority free guide to reducing the use of hazardous household products.