Connecticut Foundation
for Environmentally Safe Schools

Ridgefield School Green Clean Recognition Program

Program Coordinator Name: JoAnn Duncan, MS, Tools for Schools Facilitator/Coordinator & George Teri-Savage, Facilities Supervisor
School District: Ridgefield Public Schools
Number of School Buildings: Ten
Address: Ridgefield Public Schools, 70 Prospect Street, Ridgefield, CT 06877
203-438-3050 (JoAnn), 203-431-2800 X 2039 (George)
E-mail: jduncan@ridgefield.org, gterisavage@ridgefield.org

When did you begin a shift to green clean practices?

2006-2007 school year

What environmentally preferable products are currently in use in schools in your district? Are they certified by a third party such as Green Seal?

We use Butcher's G Force in all different dilutions for all cleaning in the schools (counter surfaces, windows, etc) See table below.

What green clean equipment and procedures are being implemented?

• Micro fiber mops, rags
• Butcher's G-Force for all surface cleaning
• Each school has diluting stations—to dilute more or less depending on the surface to be cleaned.
• Green Seal approved paper products (toilet paper, paper towels, etc.)
• KYVAC machines to super power wash all the bathrooms (less cleaning products needed)
• Changing to Green Seal approved strippers for VCT floors and for resurfacing products
• Low VOC white board markers
• Also see the table below

Who participates in your green clean program? (i.e. number of schools, members on your TFS teams like nurses, custodians and parents, etc.) What role do they play in this process?

Ten schools. Every school has a Tools for Schools Team with 5 members: administrator, nurse, head custodian, teacher and parent.

How do you evaluate the effectiveness of the green clean program?

By the lessening of complaints by building occupants, more compliments, less visible dust. Facilities Supervisor does regular building inspections.

What were some initial obstacles to switching to a green clean approach? How did you overcome these obstacles?

Custodial staff was resistant to change and new products. Many did not like the micro fiber mops. Vendors helped with smooth transition by training and communication. It was explained how harmful old products are; how much better less toxic products are for their health and well being.

What benefits are you experiencing as a result of a green clean program? (i.e. cost and/or health benefits)

The buildings are cleaner. Less airborne dust re-covering surfaces (micro fiber products adhere the dust)

What recommendations would you make to other school districts and indoor environmental quality teams considering a green clean approach?

Just do it! The benefits outweigh any potential obstacles they would face.

DESCRIPTION	BRAND	SUPPLIER/ VENDOR	GREEN SEAL	BENEFITS
Air Filters Merv 11	Power Guard	Mc Management	Recommended	Better Air Filtration Less Dust & Allergens
Automatic Flushometers	Sloan	Sexauer	Recommended	Water Conservation
Carpet	Collins & Aikman	Collins & Aikman	Yes	Non-Voc-Recycle Program-Anti-Microbial
Co 2 Sensors On HVAC Equipment		Abs	Recommended	Improves IAQ By Checking Levels And Reduces Energy
Dilution Control Stations	Butchers	Al-Star	Recommended	Less Chemical Usage And The Correct Mixtures
Electric Hand Dryers	Excel Dryer Corp		Green Spec App	No Paper Energy Efficient 80%Less Energy Usage
Equipment Pm's		In-House		Better IAQ-Healthy Buildings With Fewer Breakdowns
Faucets	Sloan	Sexauer	Yes	Water Conservation
Floor Finish	Butchers	Al-Star	Yes	Green Seal Approved And Safe To Use
Floor Finish Stripper	Butchers	Al-Star	Yes	Green Seal Approved And Safe To Use
Hand Soap	Go-Joe	Al-Star	Yes	Better Quality Foam Type Less Waste
Ipm Integrated Pest Management		Mastershield	Recommended	Lower Use Of Chemicals And The Use Of Bait Traps.
Ipm Integrated Rodent Management		Mastershield	Recommended	Lower Use Of Chemicals And The Use Of Bait Traps.
Kaivac Cleaning Machine	Kaivac	Al-Star	Yes	No-Touch Cleaning Improves Iaq And
Micro-Fiber Dust Cloths		Uni-First	Recommended	No Need For Spray Cleaners Use Water
Micro-Fiber Dusters		Uni-First	Recommended	No Need For Spray Cleaners Use Water
Micro-Fiber Mitts		Uni-First	Recommended	No Need For Spray Cleaners Use Water
Micro-Fiber Mops		Uni-First	Recommended	Better Cleaning Hold Dirt Better
Multi-Purpose Cleaner #72 G-Force	Butchers	Al-Star	Yes	Green Seal Approved And Safe To Use
New Scrubbers W/Cylindrical Brushes	Tornado	Al-Star	Recommended	Uses Less Chemicals And Water To Clean Surfaces
Paint	Benjamin Moore	Home Depot	Yes	Non-Voc
Paint	Pittsburg	Home Depot	Yes	Non-Voc
Paper Towels Roll Type	Bay West#314	Hat City Paper	Yes	100% Recycled Better Dispensers
Plastic Bags		Hat City Paper		High % Of Recycled Plastics
Purell Hand Sanitizer	Go-Joe	Al-Star		Helps Reduce The Spread Of Germs
Recycling-Computers, Monitors		We-Recycle	Yes	No Added Stuff To Landfills
Recycling-Lamps Batteries, Ballasts		We-Recycle	Yes	No Added Stuff To Landfills
Recycling-Paper Bottles Cans		We-Recycle	Yes	No Added Stuff To Landfills
Team Cleaning		Uni-First	Recommended	Better Management Of Resources Improved Cleaning
Toilet Paper	Bay West#616	Hat City Paper	Yes	100% Recycled Better Dispensers
Vacuums	Pro-Team	Al-Star	Yes	Green Seal Approved And Safe To Use
V-Belt Changes W/ Cog Type		In-House		Better Efficiency Optimum Run Energy Savings
Waterless Urinals	Sloan	Torrington Supply	Recommended	Average Water Saved-40,000 Gallons Per Yr.