As educators and students learn to coexist with COVID-19, it is more important than ever that schools are cleaned effectively and regularly to maintain the health of the community. However, traditional cleaning products create a significant amount of waste, and many contain potentially harmful chemicals which pose risks to our health and our planet.
Moorestown Friends School (MFS) has taken a new, sustainable approach to cleaning. After noticing the excess packaging and trash buildup from previous cleaning products, MFS’ Custodian Supervisor, Frank Kirchner, led the charge to switch to green cleaning products across the school’s campus. Kirchner and the custodial team ditched their old cleaning products and switched to those that meet “Green Seal” standards. Green Seal products must meet the highest industry standards for safety, effectiveness, and sustainability, with the goal of protecting human health, preserving the climate, ensuring clean water, and minimizing waste. While many products are labeled “green,” some still contain harmful chemicals and wasteful packaging; if a product has Green Seal, it can be trusted to be safe.
Health & Environmental Benefits of Green Seal Products
According to the American Lung Association, many traditional cleaning products contain volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, which vaporize at room temperature and affect indoor air quality. Products containing these and other harmful chemicals may cause headaches, asthma, throat and eye irritation, reported by Medical News Today.
In addition to negatively impacting indoor air quality, VOCs and other cleaning chemicals have huge environmental impacts, contributing to outdoor smog and washing into waterways, which can harm entire ecosystems. Green-Seal-approved products not only avoid using these harmful chemicals; they are also mindful of microplastic and landfill buildup on our planet, as they typically produce less packaging waste than single-use disposable products.
MFS’ Experiences with Green Seal Products
Kirchner is excited about switching to Green Seal products and the benefits to both his team and the school. In an interview with Kirchner, the Custodian Supervisor mentioned that the new cleaning products are safer for the custodial staff and the students, as they are no longer at risk for overexposure to harmful ingredients, and VOCs are not lingering in the air. “What is most important is that we are keeping our community safe, and switching to sustainable products is another step to ensure that safety,” he stated.
Custodian Supervisor Kirchner and custodial staff Adrian Rezes and Maribell Anderson show Green Seal floor cleaner, hand soap, air freshener, and all-purpose cleaner.
Kirchner also noted that the reusable products are cost efficient and save storage space. Kirchner and his team are committed to making MFS cleaning products 100% reusable and are enthusiastic about finding more ways to be environmentally friendly.
MFS Custodian Maribell Anderson holds up a Green Seal product that replaces the less sustainable option.
Green cleaning is just one of the many initiatives that MFS is taking to reduce its environmental footprint. MFS named Environmental Stewardship a core community priority in its Strategic Plan with the statement: “MFS’s campus and programs will visibly communicate a commitment to sustainability and its students will be actively engaged at all grade levels in stewarding a healthy relationship with our planet and its resources.” The school is currently working on a Sustainability Plan to support green initiatives throughout the school. Through this commitment to sustainability, MFS is setting an example for other schools looking for ways to go green.
Article by Kendall Otridge and Sophia Haegley, Sustainability Interns at Boyer Sudduth Environmental Consultants.
Article printed in PAISBOA’s Friday Flyer, Vol. XII, No. 3 - March 3, 2023
