View the LEED v4 version of this credit »
SPECIAL REPORT
LEEDuser expert
Stephen Ashkin
The Ashkin Group LLC
President
SPECIAL REPORT
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Credit language
© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.
Requirements
Operate the project using green cleaning best practices.
Option 1. In-House Green Cleaning Policy
Have in place a green cleaning policy for the green cleaning procedures, materials, and services that are within the project and site management’s control. Include the following elements:
Performance Targets
- Use of cleaning products and materials that meet the green cleaning criteria in EQ Credit: Green Cleaning
- Use of cleaning equipment that meets the criteria in EQ Credit: Green Cleaning
Goals and Strategies
- Standard operating procedures for effective cleaning of hard floors and carpets that will be consistently used, managed, and audited.
- Provisions for addressing protection of building occupants during cleaning, including vulnerable populations.
- Guidelines for selection and appropriate use of disinfectants and sanitizers.
- Guidelines for safe handling and storage of cleaning chemicals used in the building, including a plan for managing hazardous spills and mishandling incidents.
- Strategies for reducing the toxicity of the chemicals used for laundry, ware washing, and other cleaning activities.
- Strategies for conserving energy, water, and chemicals during cleaning.
- Strategies for promoting and improving hand hygiene.
Personnel
- Requirements for maintenance personnel including contingency planning to manage staffing shortages under a variety of conditions to ensure that basic cleaning services are met and critical cleaning needs are addressed. Include a process to obtain occupant and custodial staff input and feedback after contingency plans are implemented.
- Timing and frequency of training for maintenance personnel in the hazards of use, disposal, and recycling of cleaning chemicals, dispensing equipment, and packaging.
Option 2. Certified Cleaning Service
Clean the project with a cleaning service certified and in good standing under one of the following:
- Green Seal’s Environmental Standard for Commercial Cleaning Services (GS-42); or
- International Sanitary Supply Association (ISSA) Cleaning Industry Management Standard for Green Buildings (CIMS-GB); or
- Local equivalent for projects outside the U.S.
In addition, work with the cleaning contractor to create goals and strategies for conserving energy, water, and chemicals during cleaning.
See all forum discussions about this credit »What does it cost?
Cost estimates for this credit
On each BD+C v4 credit, LEEDuser offers the wisdom of a team of architects, engineers, cost estimators, and LEED experts with hundreds of LEED projects between then. They analyzed the sustainable design strategies associated with each LEED credit, but also to assign actual costs to those strategies.
Our tab contains overall cost guidance, notes on what “soft costs” to expect, and a strategy-by-strategy breakdown of what to consider and what it might cost, in percentage premiums, actual costs, or both.
This information is also available in a full PDF download in The Cost of LEED v4 report.
Learn more about The Cost of LEED v4 »Frequently asked questions
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Option 1: I have multiple tenants in my building. Do I need to audit 10% of each space type in each tenant area? The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
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Option 4: How should we account for cleaning practices that are done by an outside vendor and only once or twice a year—for example, stone polishing performed semi-annually by a stone polishing company or window cleaning performed quarterly? The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
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Option 1: In our multi-tenant building there are many spaces that are currently vacant or mid-fit-out. Should those spaces be included in the audit? The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
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Option 4: Would it be sufficient to include a printout of the Green Seal website that lists the certified products? The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
|
Option 1: We plan on training two in-house staff to conduct the audit. Do we have to purchase a copy of the APPA Custodial Staffing Guidelines? The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
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Option 4: In multi-tenant buildings, can I achieve this option by excluding the spaces that are not under owner-operator control? The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
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Option 2: How often do entryway systems need to be cleaned? The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
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Option 4: How should projects outside the U.S. submit for this option, where Green Seal or UL Ecologo labeled products aren’t available but local products might meet the credit intent? The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
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Option 2: Can we clean entryway mats in-house, or do they need to be sent to a “professional” cleaning service? The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
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Option 2: We have a loading dock and an attached underground garage. Both of these areas have access into the building interior. Do we need to have entryway systems for either of them? The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
|
Option 2: Do the ten-foot mats need to be one continuous mat? The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
|
Option 2: Can an entryway system be split up so that part is located outside and the remainder of the required ten feet is located inside? The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
|
Option 2: We already have a carpeted lobby that extends farther than ten feet in all directions from the building entrance. Does this count as a compliant entryway system? Our cleaning staff vacuums and performs restorative cleaning frequently to this area. The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
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Option 2: We don’t have enough space for ten feet of mats. What can we do? The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
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Option 3: In a multi-tenant building, some tenants have their own cleaning contractor. Does their equipment need to be included in the calculations for this option? The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
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Option 3: My vacuum is CRI certified but operates above 70 dBA. Is it compliant with the credit requirements? The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
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Option 1: When should we conduct the audit? The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
|
Option 4: What types of cleaning products are often overlooked when documenting this option? The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
|
Option 1: How many times can we conduct an APPA audit? We want to use the results of our first audit to improve housekeeping practices and then perform a second audit to see if we’re closer to reaching our desired level of cleanliness. The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
|
Option 4: Do I need to track additional cleaning products like dust mops, brooms, spray bottles and the like? The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
|
Option 1: How frequently do we have to conduct an APPA audit? The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
|
Option 4: Are microfiber rags included in the credit calculations? The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
|
Option 1: Isn’t the APPA audit just for educational facilities? The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
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Option 4: I’ve heard that you can exclude certain types of trash liners. Is this true? The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
Documentation toolkit
The motherlode of cheat sheets
LEEDuser’s Documentation Toolkit is loaded with calculators to help assess credit compliance, tracking spreadsheets for materials, sample templates to help guide your narratives and LEED Online submissions, and examples of actual submissions from certified LEED projects for you to check your work against. To get your plaque, start with the right toolkit.
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© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.
Requirements
Operate the project using green cleaning best practices.
Option 1. In-House Green Cleaning Policy
Have in place a green cleaning policy for the green cleaning procedures, materials, and services that are within the project and site management’s control. Include the following elements:
Performance Targets
- Use of cleaning products and materials that meet the green cleaning criteria in EQ Credit: Green Cleaning
- Use of cleaning equipment that meets the criteria in EQ Credit: Green Cleaning
Goals and Strategies
- Standard operating procedures for effective cleaning of hard floors and carpets that will be consistently used, managed, and audited.
- Provisions for addressing protection of building occupants during cleaning, including vulnerable populations.
- Guidelines for selection and appropriate use of disinfectants and sanitizers.
- Guidelines for safe handling and storage of cleaning chemicals used in the building, including a plan for managing hazardous spills and mishandling incidents.
- Strategies for reducing the toxicity of the chemicals used for laundry, ware washing, and other cleaning activities.
- Strategies for conserving energy, water, and chemicals during cleaning.
- Strategies for promoting and improving hand hygiene.
Personnel
- Requirements for maintenance personnel including contingency planning to manage staffing shortages under a variety of conditions to ensure that basic cleaning services are met and critical cleaning needs are addressed. Include a process to obtain occupant and custodial staff input and feedback after contingency plans are implemented.
- Timing and frequency of training for maintenance personnel in the hazards of use, disposal, and recycling of cleaning chemicals, dispensing equipment, and packaging.
Option 2. Certified Cleaning Service
Clean the project with a cleaning service certified and in good standing under one of the following:
- Green Seal’s Environmental Standard for Commercial Cleaning Services (GS-42); or
- International Sanitary Supply Association (ISSA) Cleaning Industry Management Standard for Green Buildings (CIMS-GB); or
- Local equivalent for projects outside the U.S.
In addition, work with the cleaning contractor to create goals and strategies for conserving energy, water, and chemicals during cleaning.
In the end, LEED is all about documentation. LEEDuser’s Documentation Toolkit, for premium members only, saves you time and helps you avoid mistakes with:
- Calculators to help assess credit compliance.
- Tracking spreadsheets for materials purchases.
- Spreadsheets and forms to give to subs and other team members.
- Guidance documents on arcane LEED issues.
- Sample templates to help guide your narratives and LEED Online submissions.
- Examples of actual submissions from certified LEED projects.
|
Option 1: I have multiple tenants in my building. Do I need to audit 10% of each space type in each tenant area? The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
|
Option 4: How should we account for cleaning practices that are done by an outside vendor and only once or twice a year—for example, stone polishing performed semi-annually by a stone polishing company or window cleaning performed quarterly? The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
|
Option 1: In our multi-tenant building there are many spaces that are currently vacant or mid-fit-out. Should those spaces be included in the audit? The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
|
Option 4: Would it be sufficient to include a printout of the Green Seal website that lists the certified products? The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
|
Option 1: We plan on training two in-house staff to conduct the audit. Do we have to purchase a copy of the APPA Custodial Staffing Guidelines? The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
|
Option 4: In multi-tenant buildings, can I achieve this option by excluding the spaces that are not under owner-operator control? The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
|
Option 2: How often do entryway systems need to be cleaned? The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
|
Option 4: How should projects outside the U.S. submit for this option, where Green Seal or UL Ecologo labeled products aren’t available but local products might meet the credit intent? The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
|
Option 2: Can we clean entryway mats in-house, or do they need to be sent to a “professional” cleaning service? The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
|
Option 2: We have a loading dock and an attached underground garage. Both of these areas have access into the building interior. Do we need to have entryway systems for either of them? The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
|
Option 2: Do the ten-foot mats need to be one continuous mat? The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
|
Option 2: Can an entryway system be split up so that part is located outside and the remainder of the required ten feet is located inside? The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
|
Option 2: We already have a carpeted lobby that extends farther than ten feet in all directions from the building entrance. Does this count as a compliant entryway system? Our cleaning staff vacuums and performs restorative cleaning frequently to this area. The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
|
Option 2: We don’t have enough space for ten feet of mats. What can we do? The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
|
Option 3: In a multi-tenant building, some tenants have their own cleaning contractor. Does their equipment need to be included in the calculations for this option? The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
|
Option 3: My vacuum is CRI certified but operates above 70 dBA. Is it compliant with the credit requirements? The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
|
Option 1: When should we conduct the audit? The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
|
Option 4: What types of cleaning products are often overlooked when documenting this option? The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
|
Option 1: How many times can we conduct an APPA audit? We want to use the results of our first audit to improve housekeeping practices and then perform a second audit to see if we’re closer to reaching our desired level of cleanliness. The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
|
Option 4: Do I need to track additional cleaning products like dust mops, brooms, spray bottles and the like? The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
|
Option 1: How frequently do we have to conduct an APPA audit? The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
|
Option 4: Are microfiber rags included in the credit calculations? The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
|
Option 1: Isn’t the APPA audit just for educational facilities? The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
|
Option 4: I’ve heard that you can exclude certain types of trash liners. Is this true? The answer to this question is available to LEEDuser premium members. Start a free trial » (If you're already a premium member, log in here.) |
LEEDuser expert
Stephen Ashkin
The Ashkin Group LLC
President
