HSC Launches Green Clean Schools Webinar Series
HSC, American School & University and the Green Clean Network are pleased to announce an exciting summer series of webinars to help schools develop green cleaning knowledge and learn best practices.
All webinars include expert insight and practical advice from a highly-regarded panel of green cleaning leaders including Steve Ashkin of the Ashkin Group LLC, HSC Deputy Director Mark Bishop, and award-winning facilities managers from schools recognized in the first annual Green Cleaning in Schools awards. The webinars are accessible to those just getting started with green cleaning and will provide the next level of knowledge to those who have already taken steps to go green.
The webinars also offer an excellent way to prepare for the Second Annual Green Cleaning Awards!
The webinars feature two topics to help participants integrate green cleaning more fully into all aspects of facilities maintenance:
Green Cleaning: Beyond Cleaning Chemicals
July 22, 2008
This webinar is generously sponsored by SCA Tissue.
Green Cleaning and Infection Control
August 7, 2008
This webinar is generously sponsored by Kaivac.
Second Annual Green Cleaning Awards Accepting Applications
For the second year in a row, American School & University magazine will present the prestigious Green Cleaning Award, created in conjunction with HSC and the Green Cleaning Network. The award honors schools and their partners that embrace green methods and practices in their cleaning and maintenance operations.
The criteria for the award are based on the five simples steps to a healthy school environment outlined in The Quick & Easy Guide to Green Cleaning in Schools.
Judges from HSC and the Green Cleaning Network will evaluate proposals from educational institutions around the country. Winning schools, which must demonstrate exceptional dedication to green cleaning, will be featured in an upcoming special supplement of American School & University magazine. Click here to check out the special supplement from 2007.
Applications are due by Sept. 12, 2008.
Missouri Joins Growing Number of States Requiring Green Cleaning in Schools
Missouri is poised to become the third state in the nation to require green cleaning in schools, thanks to a new law passed by the Missouri legislature. The law is expected to be signed by the Governor in mid-July.
Green cleaning advocate Gary Walker worked closely with the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Kevin Engler, to craft the legislation. (Walker is the founder of Magic Touch Cleaning, a sponsor of the upcoming second edition of HSC’s Quick & Easy Guide to Green Cleaning in Schools.) Walker said that his interest in the legislation was prompted by a desire to make green cleaning the norm in schools around the country.
“I wanted to create a green momentum that would encourage the rest of the nation to remove toxic chemicals from our schools,” he said.
HSC deputy director Mark Bishop explained that the Missouri legislation – along with similar laws passed in Illinois in 2007 and New York in 2006 – represents the beginning of a national movement toward green cleaning.
“We’re excited to see that state leaders are beginning to understand the connection between a healthy indoor environment and a quality education,” he said. “With Missouri becoming the third state to pass such health promoting legislation, we believe that green cleaning will become the standard in schools across the country within the next few years.”
Coming Soon: Quick & Easy Guide, Version II
Since releasing The Quick & Easy Guide to Green Cleaning in Schools in October 2006, HSC has distributed more than 57,000 guides with the support of 30 sponsors and 14 participating organizations. Now, we're preparing to release the updated and expanded second edition of the Guide.
HSC conducted a survey in 2007 and, based on that feedback, are making changes for an improved second edition. Among other things, the new version will feature additional information about integrated pest management, green cleaning in food service, new technologies and a redesigned product directory.
Stay posted for more updates on the release of this exciting new Guide!
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