We have a report this month about how it takes more than the use of “green” cleaning products for a maintenance department to truly be considered environmentally friendly.

Green cleaning supplies are certainly a good place to start. That’s been long established. But to prove a commitment to sustainability, maintenance departments are being urged to look at their total operating procedure to find ways to reduce product usage, while also making their workers more productive. It all makes perfect sense.

Another step that makes perfect sense is to clean out those storage closets and other spaces that may contain old, unused or residual chemicals that pose a hazard to building occupants.

Schools especially are being urged to do so, because of the obvious hazards to children. But, we think it’s a good place for all cleaning operations to begin. On April 28, National Healthy Schools Day, the EPA presented a $150,000 grant to the state of Nebraska to fund efforts by the nonprofit organization, Keep Nebraska Beautiful, to help schools safely dispose of old and unstable chemicals from science labs, art and vocational classes, and janitorial stocks.

Funded by the EPA’s Schools Chemical Cleanout Campaign, a program that has removed more than 72,000 pounds of chemicals from nearly 500 schools with a total population of more than 585,000 students, the grant will also help train Nebraska’s teachers and school staff on proper chemical purchase, inventory, use and storage.

“We’re proud to support the commitment of Nebraska’s schools to reduce environmental hazards and make their facilities safer for everyone,” said EPA Regional Administrator John Askew in presenting the grant.

It’s almost scandalous when you think about it, but what should a school do with outdated chemicals that may have been sitting in a lab cabinet or storage closet for 20 years or more? First, recognize that facilities personnel (managers, custodians, and anyone dealing with cleaning and maintenance supplies) are instrumental to any chemical management program. It is important for them to be trained in proper chemical management because a successful program is not limited to chemicals used in the classroom, but also includes chemicals found in maintenance and cleaning supplies.

The EPA says facilities personnel can help implement and maintain a chemical management program by:

• Complying with state and local purchasing, use, storage and disposal guidelines;

• Ensuring that all facility maintenance staff members receive effective training and have the tools needed to keep school facilities in good condition;

• Building awareness of the issue with others in the school system;

• Obtaining support at all levels within the school to address chemical use and management;

• Working cooperatively with district wide contacts (superintendent, facility manager, etc.);

• Becoming involved in policy development associated with chemicals; and

• Purchasing and using less toxic cleaners. For help on doing so, go to www.epa.gov/epaoswer/osw/conserve/clusters/schools/resources.htm#clean.

The EPA estimates that nearly 33,000 middle and high schools have outdated or improperly stored chemicals onsite in maintenance closets or classrooms that could endanger students, school staff, and surrounding communities. The Schools Chemical Cleanout Campaign can help schools find partners to give advice in safe chemical removal and management, and the EPA is challenging companies and other organizations with chemical expertise to be good neighbors and help schools in their community.

“I want to encourage businesses and organizations that have appropriate expertise to reach out to schools in their communities,” said Susan Bodine, an assistant administrator of EPA’s Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response. “Working together, we can help make our schools safer places to learn.”

There’s still a lot of work to be done, but building services providers and their suppliers may be in excellent position to accept this challenge and make a difference.