Cost Tip

Green cleaning products are readily available and cost-neutral when compared to conventional products. 

Revising vendor contracts and implementing environmental best management practices should carry minimal costs.  People often wrongly assume a green cleaning program carries a premium.

The green cleaning policy and program should be created by the in-house staff and vendor representatives who are familiar with the process of maintaining the project site. This way there will be minimal costs associated with creating the policy other than the time commitment of the personnel involved. 

This credit can often be achieved at no added cost, as there are many products with recycled content that building projects already use. 

To avoid the purchase of inappropriate materials and prevent costly change orders, review subcontractor product submittals ahead of time.

Using no-added-urea-formaldehyde products may involve a slight cost premium, because replacement binders are more expensive.

Schedule the application of paints and coatings so that off-gassing does not contaminate other absorptive materials. This is required if projects are attempting IEQc3.1: Construction Indoor Air Quality Plan—During Construction. For example, do not store or install acoustic ceiling tile before flooring and wall paints are put down, because ceiling tiles will absorb the off-gassing of paint and contaminate the air over a longer time period.

Using low-emitting paints and coatings should be a no-added-cost measure.  

Scheduling is a no-cost measure but needs to be coordinated before construction begins.

Housekeeping is a no- to low-cost measure and is simple to implement.