PROJECT AREA: OPERATIONS
Green operational practices help the campus reduce its use of energy and natural resources, save money, and provide a healthier learning and working environment for everyone.
GREEN CLEANING
Green Cleaning focuses on cleaning methods that are more environmentally-friendly and with less harmful to the custodial team and building occupants. A Green Cleaning program considers not only chemical and equipment choices, but also policies, procedures, training and shared responsibility efforts.
In January 2007, PP-CS Custodial Services first implemented the Green Cleaning Program in campus building. The Program involved training staff on green cleaning procedures as well the use of green cleaning products and equipment, such as ALPFA-HP all-purpose green cleaning product, microfiber mops and HEPA vacuums. PP-CS has seem higher productivity rates from our staff and are pleased that campus buildings are a healthier, cleaner and safer environment for everyone. The campus' Green Cleaning Program also helps satisfy requirements for LEED:EBOM Certification. From May 2009 onwards, Custodial Services use 100% recycled chlorine-free and unbleached toilet paper for all campus restrooms.
Most recently in October 2011, Custodial Services installed new SCA Tissue’s Touch-less Paper Towel Dispensers across campus bathrooms. These dispensers allow for more resource-efficient and sanitary vending of paper towels. All paper products are made from 100% recycled fiber and chlorine-free.
Above: ALPFA-HP Cleaning product, microfiber mop, Touch-less Paper Towel Dispenser
GREEN PURCHASING
Green Purchasing, also referred to as "Environmentally Preferable Purchasing" (EPP), is the affirmative selection and acquisition of products and services that most effectively minimize negative environmental impacts over their life cycle of manufacturing, transportation, use and recycling or disposal.
Since 2001, PP-CS has purchased and used at least 30% post-consumer recycled content custodial paper, including toilet paper, paper towels, seat covers and tissues. PP-CS currently stocks 100% post consumer recycled content paper for the main copier.
GREEN DEPARTMENT CERTIFICATION
In 2009, Physical Plant - Campus Services became a Certified Green Department. The Green Department Certification Program is run by the campus' Office of Sustainability. It recognizes campus departments that have taken extra steps to conduct greener operations and lower their environmental footprint. Steps that were taken at 2000 Carleton to achieve Green Department Certification:
- Working with BSAC GO Team - Building Sustainability at Cal (BSAC) students partnered with Physical Plant-Campus Service representatives to help the department achieve the certification
- Creating a Sustainability Board to help promote green habits, post building energy usage, and advertise different sustainable campaigns on campus.
- Using 100% post-consumer content paper
- Creating a ReUse Station
- Increasing the Number of Mixed Paper and Beverage Container Recycling Bins
- Recycling all printer/copier toner and cartridgers (partnership with Mail Services)
- Creating Battery Recycling Bins - located in the break rooms
- Ending Purchase of Bottled Water - The building's tap water was tested for lead and bacteria through laboratory analysis. The result showed that the water is acceptable quality for human consumption. Registered Environmental Health Specialist also confirmed the results.
GROUNDS MAINTENANCE
Grounds Operations Manager Theron Klos (PP-CS' resident expert on sheet mulching) received a 2008 Green Fund Grant from the Chancellor’s Advisory Committee on Sustainability (CACS) to research and direct a sheet mulching project on the campus. Sheet mulching is a layered mulch system using recycled cardboard that suppresses weed growth and enriches the soil. It eliminates any exposure from harmful weed-killing chemicals. Sheet mulching also reduces irrigation needs and is a sustainable maintenance technique for landscaping. Klos often teaches groundskeepers the sheet mulching process and speaks about it at sustainability and landscaping conferences.
PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE
The Preventative Maintenance (PM) group addresses preventive maintenance requirements on campus. Projects include: testing and servicing backflow prevention devices; building fire alarm systems, fire extinguishers, building sprinkler systems, generators, boiler and heating hot water/chilled water systems testing and chemical treatment; filters inspection and changing, vacuum pumps, air compressors, and performing inspections and ensuring cleanliness of mechanical rooms.
In addition, PM is responsible for maintaining extensive building systems and life safety databases that track frequency of preventive maintenance and required service, keeps accurate inventory and location of equipment and the respective inventory replacement with a value in excess of $500 million.
Current PM projects are:
- Equipment verification in the PM system,
- Coordinating maintenance checkups between Elevator and Fire Alarm shops,
- Communicating with campus departments regarding Cold Room/Growth Boxes,
- Creating a proposal to obtain workers’ compensation for funding related to duct cleaning.