EMU goes for a "green" clean

Following a recent government mandate to use green cleaning products in all federal buildings, EMU (even though a private institution) is making the switch to environmentally safe cleaning products, says Evie King, Custodial Services Supervisor.

EMU's custodial staff researched eight supply companies, both green and otherwise. As they compared effectiveness and cost, the green line at Daycon Co. in Upper Marlboro, Md. proved to be the toughest on dirt and the cheapest per quart. EMU is saving 12 to 87 cents per quart on each green product compared to their previous supplier. This line of products uses green ingredients in everything except restroom disinfectant and hand soap. It is virtually impossible to make an effective green cleaner for these areas.

Conscious of the level of harmful chemicals used in these products, Daycon makes them as environmentally safe as possible. There have been rave reviews from the custodial staff about the other products in this line, especially the glass and floor cleaner.

The new supplies come as concentrates rather than in individual bottles, reducing the amount of trash created by the products and the overuse of the substances. The custodial staff is especially pleased that the new supplies do not have strong chemicals and odors that affect the respiratory system.

King predicts that regulations for green products are going to be created in the near future. "It will feel good to know that we are already using green products when the regulations come," she said.

Using green products is in line with EMU's commitment to be "stewards of the earth." Junior Valerie Showalter, co-president of Earthkeepers, said, "Even as an institution, we are still responsible to the call to stewardship. It is exciting and encouraging to see our university taking steps towards a concern for the environment through using these green products."

Green products are currently being used in the Science Center and on the gym floor. By fall of 2005, the new products should be in use everywhere on campus.