GCA First Place Higher Education: University of Michigan, Plant Building & Grounds Services, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Program Information
Total number of students: 42,000
Total square footage maintained: 15,000,000
Total number of custodians: 365
Total annual cleaning budget: $22,000,000
Green cleaning team members: John Lawter, Assoc. Dir.; Colette Donner, Carie Kloack and Henry Musial, (Area Managers); Kellermeyer (Janitorial Product Dist.); Jim Ginnaty, Training Mgr.; Bill McAllister, Warehouse Mgr.
A GCA Silver winner in 2013, the University of Michigan Plant Building & Grounds Services’ (PBGS) green cleaning program began in 2009 with the introduction of the (OS1) program. It debuted in buildings where custodians were excited to participate. Word-of-mouth praise spread throughout campus. Today, green cleaning is standard in more than 200 campus buildings and has contributed to LEED certification of seven of those buildings.
The (OS1) program has reduced the number of chemicals used and stored on campus from more than 50 to less than 10. Approximately 400 employees have been trained in more than 240 cleaning trainings. Through the program trash and recycling liners and bins have been standardized, reducing the number of wasted bags and weight of custodial carts. Other green cleaning best practices adopted include conversion to microfiber cloths/mops, use of ionized water cleaning systems, and emphasis on hand washing.
After rollout, (OS1) is in a period of evaluation and custom fitting the program to problematic areas. For instance, PBGS is pilot-testing stone polishing floors in lieu of traditional stripping and waxing.