Green Team Reminders

• Green Cleaning Award: Deadline Sept. 11
• Green Clean Schools National Summit: Sept. 15

The deadline is quickly approaching for the award recognizing schools around the nation with outstanding green cleaning programs!

The Green Cleaning Award for Schools & Universities, presented by American School & University magazine, the Green Cleaning Network and Healthy Schools Campaign, honors schools and their partners that embrace green principles and practices in their maintenance operations.

The judging criteria for the award are based on the Five Simple Steps to Green Cleaning outlined in HSC's Quick & Easy Guide to Green Cleaning in Schools.

Awards will be presented to exemplary programs and winners will be profiled in a special supplement in the December issue of American School & University. Applications must be received by Sept. 11, 2009.

Don't miss this opportunity to spotlight your school's green cleaning program!

Green Clean Schools National Summit: Sept. 15

Concerned about healthy and clean schools for students and staff? Concerned about the environment? Want to be part of a national movement to promote green cleaning in schools?

Then join industry leaders, national school stakeholder groups and non-profit advocates on September 15, 2009 for the Second Annual Green Clean Schools National Summit in Washington, DC.

The agenda will include:

• Reporting on green clean state legislation activity during 2009.
• Providing input into guiding principles for model green clean state legislation.
• Identifying the best opportunities for moving legislation in 2010.
• Networking with others interested in promoting green cleaning.

Perhaps most importantly, the summit will connect local activists and national organizations to build strong, effective coalitions.

HSC's staff experts discuss news stories and new developments every week at the HSC Blog. Stop by and leave a question or comment. And while you're there, enter your email address for automatic delivery on days when a new blog entry has been posted. Browse recent green cleaning entries.

Where Schools Go, Others Follow| by Mark Bishop
In a notable win for the environment, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn recently signed a series of legislation to help green the state. I'm proud of two bills - the green buildings act and the green cleaning act -- in particular because I like to think HSC played a role in getting them passed. You see, in 2007, with our partners, HSC introduced and championed two bills that became law. One bill required green building practices and the other required green cleaning, both for all Illinois schools. So I'd say we helped pave the way for these new laws. I mean, if we can get schools to do it in 2007, shouldn't our state government do it as well today? More...

Floor Mats Help Schools Go Green, from the Ground Up | by Cynthia SanMiguel
The Andersen Company, a manufacturer of eco-friendly floor mats, is a green team supporter of HSC’s Quick & Easy Guide to Green Cleaning in Schools. (Mats, especially at building entrances, can play an important role in school green cleaning programs by trapping dirt before it even enters the building.) The company uses recycled rubber and post consumer fabrics in its Eco-Premier line and established the Green MATters committee, which finds eco-friendly ways to conduct business. . . More...

Congratulations to Chuck Ainsworth at PortionPac: Connecting School Food & Green Cleaning| by Lindsay Muscato
At HSC, we work on a variety of initiatives to ensure healthier learning and working environments for students and teachers. But it's especially exciting when our initiatives intersect. Recently the School Nutrition Association (SNA) recognized Chuck Ainsworth of PortionPac (a sponsor of our Quick & Easy Guide to Green Cleaning in Schools) for his work in improving school food service -- and bringing green cleaning to school kitchens and cafeterias. . . More...

Order your copy of The Quick & Easy Guide to Green Cleaning in Schools, a publication that presents five easy steps to a greener, healthier working environment for students, faculty and staff. For more information, visit us online.

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