Green Cleaning in Schools:
Developments in State Policy
Cleaning products are important for maintaining a sanitary environment in schools. However, chemicals in cleaning products may be hazardous to the environment and to the health of students, maintenance workers, and other school staff. "Green cleaning” reduces environmental and health risks by selecting alternative, environmentally-sensitive products, by applying these products properly, and by implementing maintenance practices that minimize exposure to cleaning products.
State Laws. This policy brief describes policies from 12 states and the District of Columbia that address green cleaning products and practices in schools. These policies vary considerably. Most require schools to use green cleaning products, but they differ in the criteria established for meeting the requirement. Laws in New York and Illinois, for example, direct the state to adopt guidelines and specifications that schools must use in purchasing green cleaning products. In Connecticut and Iowa, schools must use products that meet third-party certification standards approved by the state. Maryland law, in contrast, leaves it to each school district to adopt its own specifications for purchasing green cleaning products. And two state laws (Maine and Missouri) do not mandate green cleaning, but rather direct the state to develop voluntary green cleaning guidelines that school districts may elect to use.
Last updated: May 2021
Watch for updates to this page as new policies are enacted.
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