In November 2009, Algoma University, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario (just north of Michigan), announced that the campus is now cleaned with only certified green products and the news garnered quite a bit of fanfare. According to the announcement, the university’s goal was to “eliminate toxic and corrosive materials [from being used on the campus and] reduce their impact on the environment…at no additional cost.”

School administrators considered the transition to be a major accomplishment. However, the journey was not always easy.

About the University

By today’s standards, 40-year-old Algoma University is a very small school with only about 1,200 students. However, the university has gained international recognition, excelling in a variety of fields — from business and economics to biology and computer science.

The campus also has a solid green reputation. Since the late 1980s, the school has renovated older buildings to become more environmentally responsible. So, the transition to green cleaning products was inevitable.

Ten years ago, the school made several attempts to select green cleaning products. The key problem at that time was product performance, or rather the lack thereof. Most of the products were more expensive than conventional products, and the university encountered an unexpected problem: It could not find a complete green product line from one manufacturer. Instead, several manufacturers and vendors supplied the products, causing confusion and complications for custodial staff and school administrators.

The Turning Point

In 2009, Boreal Solutions, a janitorial and sanitation solutions provider, met with school administrators to discuss green cleaning. The first thing Boreal pointed out was that where green certification criteria exist, all products would be Green Seal or EcoLogo certified. This was a crucial consideration in the product selection process.

Additionally, a complete green line from one manufacturer was recommended. Informed managers and custodians will realize the importance of dealing with one manufacturer. Many cleaning products are more effective when used with “sister” products from the same company. Often, when buying from one source there are cost savings as well, such as those realized when buying from Enviro-Solutions, Inc.

But, two items actually sealed the deal and showed what managers and custodial supervisors should look for when going green. First, select a distributor that is an expert on green cleaning. Some manufacturers treat green products as a sideline compared to their conventional products. Green is not these companies’ strong point, so buyers should beware.

Second, pick a distributor that is flexible and can work onsite with the custodial crew during hours of operation throughout the transfer period. Do you remember the last time you purchased a new car? The controls, dashboard and steering were all unfamiliar. The same confusion can result when transferring from old cleaning products to new ones.

Algoma University has been using green cleaning products for nearly nine months and there has only positive feedback from school administrators. Today’s version of green cleaning — when applied correctly with trustworthy and limited supply partners — can return cost savings, increased morale and well-being, and improved cleaning results.