In April of 2018, the California State Assembly approved The Clean and Healthy Schools Act (AB 2570)--a measure that will have a significant impact on the products used to clean many public and private schools.
The Clean and Healthy Schools Act (AB 2570) and What it Means for Schools and Students
AB 2570 will require California school districts to limit the purchase and use of cleaning products used for:
- Furniture.
- Counters.
- Restrooms.
- Glass.
- Carpets, and;
- Floors;
To those meeting third-party certification, and bearing the Green Seal, EcoLogo, or Safer Choice labels, and specifically avoiding products which carry the Proposition 65 Warning--indicating the product contains chemicals known to the State of California to be harmful and potentially lead to cancer.
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If passed, the legislation is scheduled to take effect in 2021.
While this may seem like ample time for school districts to prepare for the new procedures necessary to clean and disinfect with green cleaning products, the size and scale of the campuses, combined with notoriously low staffing issues and training in the custodial department, could leave many schools facing steep penalties for non-compliance.
The Challenges Involved With Implementing Green Cleaning Products
Green cleaning and disinfecting products and appliances do not function in the same manner as their conventional counterparts--many of which are facing the chopping block if the current legislation is passed.
Green cleaning products and disinfectants require different dilution and application methods and typically have different laytimes--meaning the custodian's jobs will change significantly from the way they currently operate, requiring additional training on use, handling, storage, and disposal.
What that all translates into is money--money the district likely does not have lying around to fund the purchase of all the new equipment and chemicals necessary to meet the requirements of the proposed law, as well as the money needed to train the current custodial staff.
The simplest solution to this challenge is to hire someone that already has access to the chemicals, experience using them in a commercial and educational environment, and the ability to hit the ground running without extensive training.
Outsourcing School Cleaning Services
Over the years, outsourcing has proven to be an effective method for reducing costs associated with:
- Labor.
- Risk.
- Insurance, and;
- Benefits;
While allowing organizations to increase production and efficiency by freeing up vital staff and resources to focus on core mission requirements.
Put simply, the money saved by augmenting the district's current and future cleaning and sanitation requirements can be redirected towards its original purpose--the education of the district's children.
Why This Legislation Matters
The compounds comprising conventional commercial cleaning products have proven to be toxic--resulting in numerous lifelong health and other issues for workers, students, and teachers.
According to Regional Asthma Management & Prevention (RAMP);
One in five Californians spend their day at school, including students, teachers, and staff.
Alarmingly, the
California Air Resources Board found significant environmental health concerns in many of California’s classrooms.Some of these concerns stem from the very products used to keep the school clean.
As a result, school children and staff are unnecessarily exposed to chemicals commonly found in traditional cleaning products, chemicals that have been linked to asthma and other respiratory problems, cancer, reproductive and neurological harm, hormone disruption, water pollution, smog, and damage to the ozone layer.
References and Resources
Takeaway
The introduction of new legislation into the California State Assembly could potentially force school districts to purchase all of their cleaning products according to the third-party certification of one of three independent research groups.
While the intent is to provide a safer and healthier learning environment for the children, as well as a more productive working environment for staff and faculty, the secondary consequences of such legislation can lead to a sharp rise in short-term costs to address purchasing and training requirements.
A proven method for offsetting these costs is to outsource to an experienced local provider with the skills, tools, and training necessary to independently manage the districts' new sanitation requirements.
Long term, this type of planning has the potential to lead to improved student performance and health, reduced exposure to chemicals known to lead to asthma and cancer, as well as the districts' ability to focus capital and vital resources back towards improving education.
If you would like to learn more about the advantages of green cleaning services and products for your public or private school district--contact us today for a free quote!
In Bakersfield CA, call (661) 437-3253
In Fresno CA, call (559) 206-1059
In Valencia CA, or Santa Clarita CA, call (661) 437-3253
