Housekeeping Equipment and Cleaning Products
Helen Bielak, hlb18@columbia.edu
Custodial Manager, Columbia Facilities

Since 1993 Columbia University has consistently enhanced the ways in which living and working spaces are “cleaned greener” by a custodial staff whose workplace, at the same time, has become safer and more environmentally sound.

The switch in 1998 to a triple-filtration, ergonomically designed canister vacuum cleaner that was lighter, safer and more productive was a significant change for the custodial staff and for the University’s general air quality. Although the custodians were using the old cleaners correctly, the dust particles were going right back into the air. The new vacs have 99.3 percent dust retention capability.

Besides these new Taski Bora canister vacs, Columbia bought ergonomically designed floor care equipment that reduces vibration, noise and user fatigue. Most motorized cleaning equipment is Energy Star-rated.

Columbia has been buying and using “green” cleaning products and solutions since 2000. More than 50 wall-mounted dilution control systems have been installed in custodial work areas across the campus. The systems properly dispense and dilute the cleaning products to make sure uniform, appropriate amounts are used. Most of the cleaning products meet or exceed EPA, New York State and New York City Department of Design and Construction green guidelines. They also contain the “Green Seal” product approval.

The University also trains the custodial staff – about 174 people on the Morningside campus alone – in the use of cleaning products, as well as in their hazards and disposal.


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