For Immediate Release
Contact: Tara Kennon, 312-419-1810
tara@healthyschoolscampaign.org

Green Clean Schools National Summit Connects Industry Leaders, Health and Labor Advocates
Coalition develops strategies to promote state-level green clean schools laws

Chicago, Nov. 19, 2008 -- Cleaning industry leaders came together with labor union representatives, children’s health advocates, educators and environmentalists in Washington, D.C. on Nov. 12 at the Green Clean Schools National Summit hosted by Healthy Schools Campaign (HSC). The summit follows HSC’s successful 2007 advocacy for legislation requiring green cleaning in Illinois schools, building on this momentum to bring together state-level coalitions that will advocate for health-promoting green clean schools laws around the U.S.

“It’s exciting to bring such a range of state and national experts together to share resources and partner to protect kids’ health,” said Mark Bishop, HSC deputy director. “The real value of the summit is in the opportunity to build coalitions among leaders who may otherwise never have a chance to collaborate. The cleaning industry has taken important steps in the past few years, just as advocates have begun making progress in individual states. Combining the resources and dedication of these two groups is tremendous.”

At the day-long summit, attendees learned about model legislation, reviewed sample materials, discussed responses to common objections and heard updates on policy and product development. The summit connected local activists and national organizations. The diversity of the group attending the summit speaks to the common-sense appeal of green clean schools laws, and the broad base of support such laws have generated in recent years.

“We’ve heard a lot about green cleaning legislation in other states and know it’s going to be important,” said Dan Josephs of Spruce Industries and the New Jersey Sanitation Supply Association, a cleaning industry professional association. “A large portion of Spruce’s business involves schools, and we want to help our customers do the right thing with regards to purchasing green products. As far as the association, many of our members are selling to schools already, and we’re interested in selling them the correct products.”

Green cleaning, or cleaning to protect health without harming the environment, reduces children’s exposure to irritants and toxic chemicals while protecting the health of custodial staff who work closely with cleaning supplies. It also offers benefits for school sustainability efforts and has proven to be cost-comparable and equally effective to traditional cleaning. Though advocates often discuss the practical benefits of green cleaning for staff productivity, building maintenance and business development, many explain that their primary motivation remains in protecting children’s health.

"We're here to promote green and eco-friendly initiatives that ultimately improve the health of children," explained Donna Doleman Lewis of the Michigan-based advocacy and consulting company Natural Kids. “Ensuring a safe and healthy environment in and around our schools is a strong passion of ours. We're constantly looking for opportunities to create awareness and bring information to our region about what a difference green cleaning can make for kids."

To learn more, please visit www.greencleanschools.org.

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The Healthy Schools Campaign (HSC), an independent not-for-profit organization, is a leading authority on healthy school environments and a voice for people who care about our environment, our children, and education. Our mission is to advocate for policies and practices that allow all students, teachers and staff to learn and work in a healthy school environment. HSC publishes The Quick & Easy Guide to Green Cleaning in Schools and was instrumental in building the coalition that successfully advocated for a law requiring green cleaning in all Illinois schools.