KCOY Santa Maria, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo - News-UCSB Nationally Recognized For Green Cleaning Practices

UCSB Nationally Recognized For Green Cleaning Practices

12/04/08

SANTA BARBARA -

From reusable canvas bags to walking to work, people along the Central Coast are becoming more conscientious about their carbon footprint everyday.

A group of people on the Central Coast have gone a step further and are now being lauded for their efforts.

The UC Santa Barbara Custodial Services have been cleaning with green products since 2004.

They're now being recognized for their progressive and conscientious efforts with a National Award.

Byron Sandoval, Superintendent of UCSB Custodial Services, says, "90% of the chemicals we use on campus are Green Seal^TM Certified."

In 2002, Superintendent of Custodial Services at UC Santa Barbara Byron Sandoval encouraged UCSB's supplier to get its products Green Seal^TM Certified.

Sandoval says, "We actually put on the pressure that we needed to become Green and we tested some of the products."

Certification came in 2004.

Since then, the UCSB Custodial Services has had a "Low Environmental Impact Cleaning Policy."

Four green-cleaning years later, the Custodial Team is receiving the "Grand Award" for their cleaning practices, beating out every other college and university in the Country.

Jill Richardson says, "I had a feeling we'd probably do well, but to be the Grand Award, I was pretty shocked and very excited."

Campus Sustainability coordinator Jill Richardson nominated the Team for the National Award...

Richardson says, "The Custodial Staff works so hard for this University and they're doing a really great job and they deserve this award."

The Custodians also use certified green cleaning hand soap, vacuums with HEPA filters, walk-off mats that collect dirt and debris before it's tracked into buildings, where it may affect air quality.

And they make it known on campus.

Sandoval says, "We want to make them aware of the environment, that if we're cleaning with that type of product, then they should be doing it too."

Because keeping the campus clean, and green, means keeping everyone safe.

"It definitely means a lot to me because it's not just for my own good but for the safety of all our staff. The university is pretty conscientious about the health and well-being of our staff."

The award is sponsored by American School & University, The Green Cleaning Network, and The Healthy Schools Campaign.

In addition to an article about them in the upcoming issue of american school and university magazine, the UCSB Custodial Team was honored at the Annual Green Clean Schools National Summit in Washington D.C. in November.