You’ll lay the groundwork for this credit by developing a green cleaning policy under the prerequisite IEQp3. This credit simply involves expanding the policy that you’re already required to develop. 

All teams should pursue this credit—all you need to do is add a few elements to your green cleaning policy, submit a few extra pieces of documentation, and ensure successful implementation of both the policy and program during the performance period. It may help to think of the green cleaning program requirements as additional components of your green cleaning policy.

One document for both policy and program

Your best bet is to create the policy and the program document all at once—and do it early in the LEED process. There are multiple reasons why it’s a good idea to keep your work for this credit (the cleaning program) closely tied to your work on the prerequisite (the cleaning policy).

Creating one single document that encompasses both the policy and the program will give you a valuable reference point for staff to consult when questions arise. It will also streamline the amount of work that you must do for this credit, since many of the credit requirements overlap with those of the prerequisite.

Widens the scope of the prerequisite

While the prerequisite IEQp3 is limited in scope to the areas of the building under the management’s control, this credit must be applied to 90% of the project building. This means that your cleaning program must be instated throughout the vast majority of the building, including tenant spaces.

You’re not tied to the other green cleaning credits

Developing a green cleaning program under this credit does not require you to attempt IEQc3.3: Green Cleaning—Purchase of Sustainable Cleaning Products and Materials or IEQc3.4: Green Cleaning—Sustainable Cleaning Equipment.

Like the green cleaning policy prerequisite, this credit simply requires you to formalize your intentions for green cleaning in a written document. Actual performance in these areas of green cleaning is not required for this credit—that’s the purpose of IEQc3.3 and IEQc3.4.

Consider these questions before pursuing this credit

• What are the existing cleaning products and procedures? Are they written down? If not, you’ll want to formalize them in writing for your application submittals.
• If the cleaning program is handled by an outside vendor, does the vendor have a green cleaning program that it can execute on your site? If not, is the vendor willing to learn to integrate green cleaning practices into an existing program? If the vendor does have a canned program or is willing to adopt one, you will want to review their program to ensure that it complies with the credit requirements and work with the vendor to adopt additional green cleaning best management practices if necessary. If the vendor is not willing to adapt to the credit requirements, you will need to look for a new vendor that offers a green cleaning program.
• Do your building's preferred product suppliers carry LEED-compliant options? If so, it will be easy to switch out your conventional products for compliant alternatives. If not, you may have to find a new supplier that carries LEED-compliant products.
• How is training handled for cleaning staff? What does the training curriculum entail?
• Does your project building have a tracking system for cleaning supply and equipment purchases? If so, documenting the types of products your building currently uses should be easy to demonstrate. If not, set up a tracking system for such purchases before the performance period.
• Do you use dilution systems in your cleaning program? If so, you meet at least one of the credit criteria and you will only have to formalize your practices in your documentation submittals to demonstrate compliance. If not, you will need to have your cleaning personnel start using dilution systems for some of the regularly used chemicals.
• Does your project building have a staffing plan for the cleaning program? Most buildings do, so they must simply document their staffing plan to meet this criterion. If your building does not have a staffing plan, the cleaning management will have to come up with a protocol for staffing based on the needs of the building.
• Does your project building have a system for collecting occupant feedback? Most buildings have some type of work order system that can be used for collecting occupant feedback relating to the cleaning program. If you don’t have a way to collecting occupant feedback, work with building management to establish such a system.
• Are there opportunities to improve the existing cleaning program? There is almost always room for improvement. Work with your contractor to identify emerging best practices in the field of green cleaning. 
• Does your building contain spaces with special cleaning requirements such as laboratories, health care, or food processing? If so, describe the cleaning requirements for these unique spaces in your documentation.