EPA recognizes sustainable hospitals with Trailblazer Award

WASHINGTON D.C. — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently recognized several hospitals for their environmental leadership efforts and their commitment to pollution prevention, according to a press release.

According to the release, the Trailblazer Award recognizes hospitals across the EPA's region 3 — Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and Washington — that have stepped up their sustainable practices.

The six Trailblazer Award winners from the state of Maryland are: the Atlantic General Hospital; the Franklin Square Hospital Center; LifeBridge Health; the Montgomery General Hospital; the University of Maryland Medical Center; and the Veterans Affairs Maryland Health Care System, the release stated.

Virginia Thompson, sustainable health care sector manager for the mid-Atlantic region of the EPA, said: "These hospitals are successfully demonstrating leadership and innovation in reducing their environmental footprint. They have undertaken a challenging task and have produced measurable results in many cases, demonstrating what can be accomplished when hospitals take advantage both of senior executive support and grounds-up initiative from across the hospitals' many departments."

Nominations were reviewed by a panel of judges from the EPA and other organizations involved in working to move health care toward sustainable operations; all award decisions were made based solely on the merits of the information provided in the award nomination, the release noted.

Others regional Trailblazer Award winners include the Pennsylvania Hospital, the Doylestown Hospital and the Christiana Care Health System, the release added.

Click here to read the complete release.

ABM Industries sees a 30 percent profit increase

NEW YORK — ABM Industries Inc. recently reported their fiscal fourth-quarter earnings that include a profit increase of 30 percent, according to a press release.

The company, which provides janitorial, parking, security and other services, posted a net income of $15 million, compared to $11.6 million in the year-ago quarter, the release stated

Quarterly revenue fell 4.2 percent to $868 million and overall quarterly expenses were down 4 percent, the release noted.

For the year, profit rose 19 percent to $54.3 million, up from $45.3 million a year ago, the release added.

According to the release, earnings per share were consistent with what was expected from analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters.

Click here to read the complete release.

Discovery of mercury in janitor's closet prompts school closure

WOONSOCKET, RI — Students at Woonsocket Middle School are getting an unexpected three-day weekend after state and school officials agreed it is in everyone's best interest to close the school as a precaution following a mercury spill, according to WLNE-TV.

According to the story, a small amount of mercury was discovered earlier in the week while a janitor's closet was being cleaned out.

The spill was cleaned up, the area vented and the air was tested and deemed safe and within the acceptable range, the story stated.

A follow-up check yesterday found elevated — but still acceptable — levels of vapor in the closet, prompting the joint decision from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, the Rhode Island Department of Health and the Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to close the school, the story noted.

Students and staff from Woonsocket Middle School are moving into two new buildings and today would have been the last day of classes in the current building, the story added.

Click here to read the complete article.

ARAMARK to cut 118 jobs

NORWELL, MA — The ARAMARK Corporation has plans to cut 118 jobs at its Wearguard-Crest apparel plant at the end of December, according to the Patriot Ledger.

The layoffs had been anticipated since the company told employees over the summer that it had put the Norwell facility up for sale and would move much of its manufacturing operations to other plants in the states of Nevada and Virginia, the story stated.

ARAMARK spokeswoman Sarah Jarvis said: "While never an easy decision, ARAMARK is committed to treating those who are leaving with dignity and respect, and doing as much as we can to ease their transition."

The cuts, effective December 31, 2009, affect 58 distribution jobs, 42 manufacturing jobs and a handful of support staff, the story noted.

It remains unclear how many employees will remain after the layoffs, but ARAMARK has said they will maintain a presence on Norwell, the story added.

Click here to read the complete article.

Allegan County looks to save money by outsourcing custodial services

ALLEGAN, MI — In an effort to save money, Allegan County will outsource its custodial operations by February 2010, according to the Holland Sentinel.

According to the story, The Allegan County Board of Commissioners recently approved a bid from CSM Services to clean eight county buildings.

Allegan County, which currently spends $443,000 per year for labor and cleaning supplies, will save $183,000 each year of the proposed three-year contract, the story stated.

Commissioner Fritz Spreitzer said: "They've given loyal service. They do a good job. There are other areas to look at before we get rid of people."

Current Allegan County custodians are highly encouraged to apply for positions with CSM Services; many commissioners hope they receive preferential treatment from the contractor, the story noted.

Though CSM Services was not the lowest bid, their offer to provide custodial services in eight buildings for $260,000 a year was accepted, the story added.

Bob Wakeman, Allegan County Facilities Management director, said: "A lot of things entered in to it other than the dollar amount. Some said they could do twice the work in half the time. Something just didn't equate."

Click here to read the complete article.

Court affirms that Cintas violated employee rights

CINCINNATI — The 8^th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals recently affirmed a National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) decision against JanSan service provider and uniform supplier Cintas Corporation, affirming that the company violated employee rights by cracking down on workers who showed union support, according to the Associated Press.

The federal complaint charged that Cintas violated restrictions against employer interference with workers' rights to organize, join or assist unions and breached prohibitions of discriminating against workers to discourage union membership, the story stated.

According to the story, the case is the latest round in several years of legal fights over efforts to unionize Cintas workers by the Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees-Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees International Union (UNITE-HERE).

Judge Diana E. Murphy, responding to a Cintas contention that UNITE-HERE's campaign was unlawful and unprotected activity, said: "We have been unable to find a reported case in which an employer has sought to use a union's national campaign as a defense to unfair labor practice charges involving individual employee activity."

The NLRB found that Cintas used unfair labor practices when it warned employees against wearing pro-union stickers and hats and confiscated pro-union fliers from a break room in Charlotte, the story noted.

Cintas has been told to remove any references to disciplinary action for wearing pro-union material from company files, to stop interfering with employee rights and to post explanations of the NLRB decision at its Charlotte and Branford, Connecticut, facilities, the story added.

To read the entire NLRB decision, click here.

Click here to read the complete article.

Norovirus outbreak sickens hundreds

STATEN ISLAND, NY — About 250 students from Public School 3 stayed home from school yesterday after becoming ill with norovirus, a highly contagious gastrointestinal disease whose eradication requires extensive cleaning of surfaces, according to the Staten Island Advance.

Many students began vomiting and exhibiting other signs of norovirus while in class on Friday, prompting many to go home, the story stated.

Margie Feinberg, a U.S. Department of Education spokeswoman, said: "During the winter months, a virus called norovirus spreads easily among school children, causing vomiting and diarrhea. Most people get better in 1 to 2 days."

In a letter sent home with students, parents and guardians were told that the virus can spread through surfaces, such as handrails and doorknobs, by sharing food with someone with the virus or by eating foods or drinking liquids that are contaminated, the story noted.

According to the story, some parents of healthy children said they planned to keep their children home for several days to avoid catching the virus from their classmates.

There have been no reports of a norovirus outbreak at any other local schools and it is believed to be contained to Public School 3 at this time, the story added.

Click here to read the complete article.

Janitor terminated after assaulting a student

STRUTHERS, OH — The Struthers City School District Board of Education recently voted unanimously to fire a Struthers High School janitor accused of assaulting a student, according to the Vindicator.

Jennifer Lucansky's dismissal stems from a November 16 incident where she walked into a classroom, grabbed a 17-year-old girl by the back of the neck and told her: "Stop writing your name on the [expletive] white boards," the story stated.

According to a report, Lucansky, who has been with the Struthers City School District for 17 years, left the room and continued with her janitorial duties after the outburst.

Lucansky has had "a series of prior reprimands and unpaid suspensions for misconduct," but Struthers City School District Superintendent Robert Rostan said there were no episodes "of this type" with students before, the story noted.

Lucansky, who faces criminal charges of assault and menacing — both misdemeanors — and has a preliminary hearing in Struthers Municipal Court set for May 7, was on paid leave until her termination, the story added.

According to Ron Blatt, field representative for the Ohio Association of Public School Employees, Lucansky will file a grievance against the Struthers City School District.

Click here to read the complete article.

Graffiti abatement crews cause trepidation in taggers

VISALIA, CA — The city of Visalia's graffiti abatement crews have a goal of removing unsightly tags within 48 hours of being sprayed, an objective the part-time employees strive to meet, according to the Visalia Times-Delta.

Receiving over a dozen calls per day, the crews, part of the city of Visalia Parks and Recreation Department, work more than 1,000 hours per year logging cases and painting over the tags in two-man crews, the story stated.

Eliseo Martinez, a graffiti abatement crew member, said: "We have to get these [hot-line calls] done as quickly as possible. It's important to show the community we respond fast and care about the city. We try to get to graffiti around schools so the gangs don't recruit the kids as they walk home."

The city's Graffiti Abatement Program has a yearly budget of roughly $113,000, which provides equipment, supplies and salaries for the crew members who typically work from 7 a.m. to noon Monday through Saturday, the story noted.

According to the story, each site is photographed before and after it is cleaned and photos are handed over to the Visalia Police Department and archived for future use.

Abatement crews use darker colored paints to cover walls that have been tagged in order to discourage those who use red and blue paint, colors generally chosen by gangs, the story added.

Click here to read the complete article.

Study shows cleaners are more valuable than bankers

LONDON — A recent study by the New Economics Foundation, entitled "A Bit Rich," found that hospital cleaners and waste-recycling workers offer more worth to society than do bankers, advertising executives or tax advisors, according to a press release.

According to the release, the study looked at 'externalities,' the true consequences of economic activities, to "quantify the social, environmental and economic value that people's work produces, or in some cases the value that is undermined or destroyed."

Hospital cleaners alleviate the human and financial cost of hospital acquired infections (HAIs) and make a significant contribution to the wider social value created by healthcare; waste-recycling workers help cut carbon emissions significantly and contribute to the output of the recycling industry, the release stated.

According to the report: Hospital cleaners create more than £10 ($16.30) in value for every £1 ($1.63) they receive in pay; waste-recycling workers generate £12 ($19.56) for every £1 ($1.63) spent on their wages; bankers destroy £7 ($11.41) of value for every £1 ($1.63) they create; and advertising executives eradicate £11 ($17.93) from the economy for every £1 ($1.63) they are paid.

Andrew Large, chief executive of the Cleaning and Support Services Association, said: "It is widely accepted that the cleaning industry is a key factor in protecting patients from hospital acquired infections, but these findings demonstrate the additional economic value our industry creates. As stated in the report, this worth is not being transmitted to the pay or prestige of the cleaning industry. Our work is vital to the nation's health and well-being while adding unqualified value to the economy. We hope that the report's findings are recognized by business and government and that all workers are appropriately remunerated for the contribution they make."

According to Steve Wright, chairman of the British Cleaning Council, "Workers in the waste-management sector deserve recognition for their role in increasing recycling so dramatically in the United Kingdom in recent years, as they have overseen the substantial reduction in the landfill waste which has been so damaging to the environment.

CRDN named '#1 Franchise' by Entrepreneur magazine

BERKLEY, MI — The Certified Restoration Drycleaning Network (CRDN) was recently named the "#1 Franchise in the Dry Cleaning & Delivery Services" category of Entrepreneur magazine's 31^st Annual Franchise 500, according to a press release.

With an overall ranking of 237 for 2009, up from 319 last year, CRDN has achieved its fourth consecutive award from Entrepreneur, which recognizes growth-oriented franchises each year based on objective, quantifiable measurements like financial strength and stability and growth rate, the release stated.

Wayne Wudyka, the CRDN's founder and chief executive officer (CEO), said: "During a challenging economic time that has taken its toll on retail drycleaning, CRDN's focus on insurance restoration services has enabled our members to realize meaningful business growth from coast to coast. CRDN's success has resulted from ongoing education of the insurance industry about the cost-effectiveness of restoring damaged textiles instead of replacing them."

Launched in 2001, the CRDN specializes in restoring garments and other fabric items damaged by smoke, fire, water, mold or other contaminants, the release added.

Click here to read the complete release.

Spray Nine disinfectant receives H1N1 kill claim from EPA

JOHNSTOWN, NY — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has reviewed and accepted independent lab testing submitted by Spray Nine Corporation for Spray Nine Cleaner/Disinfectant's efficacy against the pandemic 2009 H1N1 Influenza A (swine flu) virus, according to a press release.

According to the release, with the second wave of the H1N1 flu on the decline, experts predict that a third wave may hit early in 2010.

The product was proven to disinfect against the virus with a 30 second contact time, a claim now added to their EPA Master Label, the release stated.

This new disinfecting claim heads up a long list of germs killed by Spray Nine Cleaner/Disinfectant including Escherichia coli (E. coli), Salmonella, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), Hepatitis B and C, norovirus and more, the release added.

Trojan Battery expands its distribution

SANTA FE SPRINGS, CA — Trojan Battery Company recently announced that Northeast Battery, a longtime master distributor of Trojan products, will expand its distribution into the states of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia, according to a press release.

Northeast Battery offers a full line of products including starting, lighting and ignition products, stationary power systems for telecommunications and uninterruptible power supplies and high-end motive power batteries, the release stated.

Tom Scarduzio, president of Northeast Battery, said: "We are excited for this opportunity to expand our distribution of Trojan Battery products. Northeast Battery provides only the finest, highest quality products and services to our customers, and with Trojan products, we can proudly say that's what we have done for the past 25 years and will continue to do for many more years to come."

Both companies expressed excitement from this partnership that will provide increased service and support for customers, the release noted.

Milwaukee County privitizes janitorial services

MILWAUKEE — Milwaukee County recently privatized janitorial services in 10 county-owned buildings and awarded MidAmerican Building Services the $1.2 million contract, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

MidAmerican Building Services, which beat out 10 other building service contractors (BSCs), will begin cleaning the buildings January 18, 2010, and will be paid $97,793 a month, the story stated.

According to the story, only large public bathrooms and hallways will be cleaned until MidAmerican officially begins its contract, meaning many areas in the buildings could be less clean than they were under previous cleaning arrangements.

Supervisors complained that they were cut out of the process to select private firms to take over custodial services for the county, a move that resulted in about 90 workers being laid off, the story noted.

Some find it curious that Edward M. Aprahamian Jr., owner of MidAmerican Building Services and a partner in a political consulting firm who has made sizeable donations to the Wisconsin governor's race, was chosen as the contractor for the 10 county buildings, the story added.

According to the article, some county workers were warned that bathrooms used by 300 court workers won't be cleaned until mid-January because of the time discrepancy between the layoff of county janitors and the hiring of MidAmerican Building Services.

Click here to read the complete article

New website service for carpet cleaners

GAINESVILLE, FL — Carpet cleaners understand that advertising and marketing are important for their business, and with Ready To Go websites, the leg work is already done for you, according to a press release.

With Ready To Go websites, all the background work of website design, writing content and search engine optimization (SEO) is already done, allowing carpet cleaners to lease unbranded websites, brand it with their company logo and start using it immediately, the release stated.

Abhi Patel, chief executive officer (CEO) of Pat's Marketing, said: "If you are hesitant towards spending too much on marketing your business in this economy, Ready To Go websites by Pat's Marketing can be an effective yet affordable option. You can lease a website at as low as $30 per month and start marketing your business on search engines almost instantaneously and for so long as you see fit."

Ready To Go websites are already optimized and ranking on search engines, so businesses can look forward to getting quicker and often instantaneous returns on their marketing dollars, the release added.

Click here to read the complete release.

Algoma University recognized as green and sustainable

PETERBOROUGH, ON, Canada — Algoma University recently received a certification of accomplishment from Boreal Solutions, an Ontario-based JanSan distributor, recognizing the university's commitment to becoming a greener and more sustainable school, according to a press release.

Along with Boreal Solutions, the university has been working with Enviro-Solutions Ltd. to test and evaluate cleaning products that are proven safer for the university's staff and students, are environmentally preferable and meet the performance needs of the school, the release stated.

Goals of the one-year project include: Eliminating toxic and corrosive materials used to clean and maintain the campus; Improving energy efficiency; Reducing the amount of waste generated by the school; and transferring to only green-certified cleaning products bearing either the Green Seal^® or EcoLogo^™ label, the release noted.

Kevin Hemsworth, divisional director of external relations for Algoma University, said: "One of the biggest and surprising achievements [in this process] is that the green measures have resulted in no additional cost to the university. In fact, we may even be saving money as a result of this team effort that [also] helps the school continue to be a leader in environmental stewardship."

Selecting green-certified products was a requirement because it guarantees the products selected have been independently evaluated and proven to have less impact on users, building occupants and the environment, the release added.

EPA officially launches green disinfectant and sanitizer pilot programs

WASHINGTON — On December 9, 2009, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) launched two voluntary pilot programs for disinfectants and sanitizers that will allow the use of the Design for the Environment (DfE) logo on certain products as well as allow the use of certain EPA-approved factual statements of environmental preferability, according to a press release.

Bill Balek, ISSA director of legislative affairs, said: "ISSA applauds the EPA for crafting a policy that will empower purchasers to make informed decisions when selecting disinfectants and sanitizers, as well as provide a market incentive for manufacturers to develop antimicrobial pesticides that possess a preferred environmental and safety and health profile."

Balek participated in the Comparative Claims Work Group assembled by the EPA for the purpose of developing the parameters of the pilot program, the release noted.

Registrants will be subject to a two-tier review process starting with review by the DfE program that will start accepting applications immediately, while the Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) will start accepting applications on May 3, 2010, the release added.

According to the release, the OPP will start accepting applications for the use of factual statements of environmental preferability on product labels on January 25, 2010.

For more information about the pilot programs, click here.

Click here to read the complete release.

Duo develops biodegradable packaging

GREEN ISLAND, NY — Two businessmen recently developed a green alternative to polystyrene packaging that uses 10 times less energy to produce and biodegrades into a natural fertilizer, according to the American Free Press.

Eben Bayer and Gavin McIntyre, classmates from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), founded Ecovative Design in 2007 to produce EcoCradle — packaging made from farm waste and mushrooms whose manufacture generates zero greenhouse gas emissions, the story stated.

Bayer, chief executive officer (CEO) of Ecovative Design, said: "For each unit of EcoCradle we produce, compared to the same unit or volume of polystyrene, we use 10 times less energy and emit eight times less CO₂ over the life of the product from production, use and to disposal. Our long-term vision is actually to replace all plastic and foams and mitigate their environmental consequences ... and this natural platform we have discovered or invented will allow us to do that."

According to the story, polystyrene is so prevalent in the packaging industry that it accounts for 30 percent of all the waste in United States landfills.

EcoCradle is made from agricultural byproducts including cottonseed hulls, buckwheat hulls and rice husk that are mixed with mycelium — a fungal bonding agent — and allowed to grow inside molds, the story noted.

According to the article, the mycelium secretes a powerful enzyme that decomposes the organic waste as it grows, and after seven days at room temperature in the dark, a compact, ultralight, malleable material is formed that can resist temperatures of up to 800 degrees Celsius (1,472 Fahrenheit).

EcoCradle, a patented trademark in the United States and 30 other countries that doubles as an environmentally preferable insulation, has a production cost comparable to that of polystyrene, the story added.

Click here to read the complete article

SEIU Local 26 janitors march for green alternatives

MINNEAPOLIS — Janitors represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 26 kicked off their campaign to make green cleaning a reality with a march through downtown Minneapolis on December 5, according to a press release.

By striving to increase the use of green cleaning products with safer chemicals, recycle more waste and support the transition to day-shift cleaning, SEIU Local 26 janitors are hoping to green the greater Minneapolis area, the release stated.

According to the SEIU Local 26, "Day-shift cleaning is a growing trend in the cleaning industry; it can reduce energy use by up to 8 percent and leads to better client satisfaction with a stable, well-trained cleaning staff. And while safer, "green" chemicals are now available at little or no additional cost, there is still pervasive use of more dangerous, conventional cleaning products."

The Green Jobs Green Future campaign has gained the support of environmental organizations including the Blue Green Alliance, the Minnesota Public Interest Research Group (MPIRG) and the Sierra Club, the release noted.

Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, Saint Paul Mayor Chris Coleman and Congressman Keith Ellison joined the janitors and marched in support of adopting green alternatives to toxic cleaning chemicals and increasing recycling efforts, the release added.

Click here to read the complete release.

EPA releases WaterSense label for commercial applications

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently released its first WaterSense specification for a commercial building product, according to a press release.

According to the release, WaterSense-labeled flushing urinals will use 50 percent less water than standard urinals, saving businesses 4,000 gallons of water per year for every fixture installed.

In addition to using no more than a half-gallon of water per flush, urinals bearing the WaterSense label meet the EPA's performance requirements, ensuring they work as well or better than standard models, the release stated.

As an example of the water saving capability of WaterSense-labeled urinals, a college with 10,000 students that installs WaterSense labeled urinals in its classroom buildings will save each year enough water to fill an Olympic-sized swimming pool, the release noted.

All WaterSense-labeled products are independently tested and certified to meet rigorous criteria for both efficiency and performance, the release added.

More information: http://www.epa.gov/watersense

Vernon Hills Retirement Community Legionnaires' disease outbreak

VERNON HILLS, IL — The source of an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease responsible for two deaths and seven hospitalizations at a retirement community has been identified as contaminated pool and spa water, according to the Vernon Hills Review.

After tests at The Park at Vernon Hills came back positive for Legionella bacteria, environmental consulting firm EBSol Inc. — a company specializing in Legionella detection — was brought in to help determine the cause of the outbreak and come up with a remediation plan, the story stated.

Melaney Arnold, a spokesperson for the Illinois Department of Public Health, said: "We did find the Legionella bacteria at the facility and right now the environmental consultant the facility hired is working on a remediation plan. [The pool, spa and rainforest area in the atrium of the facility] will not be allowed to open again until we get two consecutive negative test samples for Legionella. In a situation like this, proper maintenance of pools and spa areas is very important."

Bio-Incident Management Services was contracted to clean and disinfect the pool and other water features where contaminated water was found, the story noted.

The Park at Vernon Hills, which hopes to have the affected areas completely disinfected and opened within the next few weeks, is keeping residents apprised to the latest developments with frequent updates, the story added.

Click here to read the complete article.

Custodian wins workers' compensation case over perfume

SAINT JOHN, NB, Canada — After suffering a severe allergic reaction from perfume and cologne worn by students, a custodian at Saint John High School won a workers' compensation battle, according to the National Post.

This case, involving an unnamed custodian, is believed to be the first case in Canada where fragrances in schools have been classified as a workplace hazard, the story stated.

Gary Walker, principal of Halifax West High School, said: "I have a teacher I have sent to hospital several times in an ambulance. When Axe [body spray for men] first came out, she just dropped, the scent was so violent for her. During our parent meetings we talk about it, in our newsletters we talk about it, on our website we talk about it. We spend a lot of time on it."

According to the story, the woman, who has had similar reactions when exposed to pungent perfumes, suffered dizziness, labored breathing and "extreme chest pains" that spread across her chest and down her arms.

An appeal tribunal ruled that exposure to the perfume qualified as an injury arising out of the janitor's work, ordering the New Brunswick workers' compensation commission to accept her request for benefits, the story noted.

School District 8 has had a "scent-free" policy in place for several years now because of complaints from teachers and staff, the story added.

Click here to read the complete article.

San Jacinto Unified School District hires armed security guards

SAN JACINTO, CA — In response to recent incidents of night-shift custodians being assaulted, the San Jacinto Unified School District has hired armed security guards to patrol campuses, according to the Press-Enterprise.

According to the article, the decision to hire a firm to provide security detail for the district comes after the concept of Team Cleaning was introduced to increase the safety of custodians working in schools at night.

San Jacinto Unified School District Superintendent Shari Fox, who called the incidents "anomalies," said: "As of now, everyone is in Team Cleaning, so they are always with one other person, within hollering distance."

The San Jacinto Unified trustees voted earlier this week to hire a security firm for six months at a charge of no more than $65,000 plus $25 per alarm call, the story stated.

In a November 18 incident, a suspect, who demanded money from a male custodian at Edward Hyatt Elementary School and hit him with a stick, ran away after the custodian began yelling at him, the story noted.

In the most recent incident that occurred just after midnight on December 3, a female custodian was found unconscious at Jose Antonio Estudillo Elementary School, presumably the victim of an assault, the story added.

According to the story, the California School Employees Association (CSEA), the union representing the San Jacinto Unified School District custodians, feels hiring a security firm to ensure the well-being of night-shift custodians is a good and necessary move.

Click here to read the complete article.

Lake County votes to outsource maintenance work

NORTHBROOK, IL — The Lake County Board voted to privatize 13 county maintenance jobs yesterday, a move that will save the county more than $250,000, according to the Lake County News-Sun.

The Lake County Board voted to layoff the employees because their union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 5372, would not agree to delay their scheduled pay raise by a year, the story stated.

Lake County Administrator Barry Burton said: "The county has less revenue coming in and cannot afford to increase employee salaries. The reality is we don't like having to do outsourcing, but these are extraordinary times. We have to make cuts. This was a difficult decision we did not take lightly."

It would have cost $259,000 to give the 13 employees the $3.25 raise they wanted, but by outsourcing to Northshore Building Maintenance Inc., the county will save $275,000, the story noted.

The Lake County Board passed the resolution to outsource maintenance tasks with a vote of 17 to 6, the story added.

Click here to read the complete article.

Neshaminy School District eyes significant savings from outsourcing

LANGHORNE, PA — By outsourcing its janitorial services, the Neshaminy School District could save nearly $9 million over three years, according to the Bucks County Courier Times.

The Neshaminy School District anticipates that it will spend $15.8 million in three years if it renews a contract with its current union employees; however, by privatizing janitorial services with a company like Pritchard Industries Inc., the district foresees spending only 6.8 million in those same three years, the story stated.

Neshaminy School Board President Ritchie Webb said: "I want to point out that the board will exhaust every effort to negotiate a fair and equitable contract for both sides before using the outside contractors."

District janitors, represented by the Neshaminy Educational Support Professional Association, have been working on an expired contract since July and say they cannot afford the higher health premiums the district is proposing in negotiations, the story noted.

According to the Neshaminy School District website, "The union's refusal to adequately address the above issues, related primarily to benefits for full-time workers, leaves us little choice but to continue to consider contracting with third parties as a partial solution to the financial challenges we face."

The district plans to continually update their website on the status of the negotiations, the story added.

Click here to read the complete article.

Washington County School District unhappy with service contractor's work

CHIPLEY, FL — Nearly all of the six public schools in the Washington County School District expressed concerns over the quality of work performed by building service contractor Rite-Way Service Inc., according to the Foster Folly News.

According to the story, a major change occurred when the school district cut $300,000 from the cleaning contract with Rite-Way, seriously reducing the extent and thoroughness of daily cleaning.

The majority of complaints pertain to unclean restrooms, unswept and/or unmopped floors and insufficient cleanup in cafeterias and locker rooms, the story stated.

With the current cleaning schedule, custodians clean areas every other day, rather than the daily cleaning that occurred in the past, the story noted.

Rite-Way has changed crew members several times at some Washington County schools, hampering progress and instituting a new learning curve every time, the story added.

Washington County School Board member Terry Ellis, in explaining that Rite-Way is responsible for the cleanliness of the schools, said: "We are in the teaching business, not in the cleaning business."

Click here to read the complete article.

Study finds small businesses are curtailing cleaning

CINCINNATI — A recent survey conducted by Kelton Research for Procter & Gamble Professional found that 29 percent of small businesses have scaled back on workplace cleaning, according to a press release.

According to the release, more than 1,100 small business owners registered with the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) participated in the online survey that was conducted to identify how the economy has affected small business' cleaning standards.

Despite the fact that 31 percent of small business owners recognized "cleanliness and appearance" as having the greatest impact on customer first impressions, a significant number have curtailed their cleaning processes by either purchasing cheaper or generic products or eliminating professional cleaning services altogether, the release stated.

According to the survey, of those who have altered their cleaning practices, 44 percent report negative repercussions, such as rising customer and employee complaints and longer cleaning times when using cheaper products.

Pete Self, research and development manager for Procter & Gamble Professional, said: "Now more than ever, we recognize owners' needs for solutions that work at the speed of small businesses today and for information that equips them with cleaning best practices. Mr. Clean Professional provides small business owners with both powerful cleaning solutions as well as a 24/7 information resource, helping restore owners' confidence that their business' appearance makes a great first impression every time."

Six out of ten small business owners said time is the biggest barrier to keeping their workplace, whether retail or professional, as clean as possible; meanwhile, 14 percent believe staffing is the major hurdle to cleanliness, the release noted.

When asked what cleaning resources would be most beneficial, 49 percent of survey respondents cited the need for free resources and advice from trusted sources that help them get the cleaning job done, the release added.

Click here to read the complete release.

New York City Axes Green Buildings Plan

New York City Axes Green Buildings Plan

In theory, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s landmark plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by retrofitting leaky old buildings was a good idea. In the face of a global recession, and with a mandate for building owners to foot much of the bill, the owners didn’t agree. After fierce criticism, the city is dropping a plan that would have required older buildings — those measuring 50,000 square feet or more —to perform energy audits and subsequent efficiency upgrades.
If passed, the mandate would have applied to roughly 22,000 buildings, or nearly half the city’s square footage, requiring owners to upgrade light bulbs, old boilers and leaky windows. The legislation also would have represented a big push in the green building movement, since most cities impose efficiency standards on new construction only. In the city, buildings contribute 80 percent of the city’s total carbon emissions, and Mayor Bloomberg is trying to lower emissions by 30 percent by 2030.
A major sticking point was cost, with owners required to pay for most of the upgrades. Officials estimated private investors would need to kick in $2.5 billion for building improvements since the city only had $16 million in federal stimulus funds to pay for such changes.
Article continues: http://www.mnn.com/earth-matters/climate-change/stories/nyc-nixes-green-buildings-plan

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Wausau Paper releases 'The Art of Sustainability Reporting'

MOSINEE, WI — The Wausau Paper Corporation's latest print promotion, "The Art of Sustainability Reporting," provides companies with information, best practices and inspiration for producing effective corporate sustainability reports (CSRs), according to Quick Printing.

According to the story, Wausau Paper compiled the best data and research on sustainability reporting from leading authorities on the subject, including the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), KPMG, the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), Green Seal Inc. and the Sustainable Investment Research Analyst Network (SIRAN), into a valuable and practical reference guide to corporate sustainability reporting.

Featuring case studies of Fortune 500 companies, the print promotion is designed to fill readers with new ideas about CSRs and the many opportunities they present, the story stated.

Jeff Fox, director of marketing for Wausau Paper, said: "We have seen an increase in demand for our papers for sustainability reporting and we saw an opportunity to share some of the industry's best practices with others that are just starting their first venture into sustainability reports. At Wausau Paper, we believe it is our responsibility to help our customers produce not only beautiful, but effective and environmentally-conscious printed pieces."

Topics covered in "The Art of Sustainability Reporting" include: The difference between the commonly confused annual report and CSR; the ingredients of a sustainability report; reasons to produce a CSR; what greenwashing is and how to avoid it; and more, the story noted.

Click here to read the complete article.

Midwest Research Institute's headquarters receives LEED certification

KANSAS CITY — The Midwest Research Institute (MRI) recently earned Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) following a $25 million renovation of its headquarters, according to a press release.

"Green" design elements provide energy savings that have resulted in a reduction of nearly 600 metric tons of carbon dioxide when comparing adjusted energy usage data from the years 2008 to 2009, the release stated.

According to the release, the facility now has nearly 50 percent more laboratory space and office space for an additional 150 staff while still operating with the same carbon footprint it had before the renovation.

Sustainable features of the 250,000-suare-foot facility include: Energy efficient windows; high-efficiency air conditioning; high-efficiency boilers; low-flow laboratory hoods; water saving devices; provisions for waste recycling; day lighting; high-efficiency lighting; and low volatile organic compound (VOC) emitting materials, the release noted.

Mark Breitenstein, MRI's director of facilities management, said: "Results of the renovation have been extremely successful. We have a state-of-art facility that provides an enhanced work environment for staff, it accommodates growth, and the LEED certification validates MRI's mission to support a sustainable future. MRI's renovation demonstrates that green choices do have a positive impact on older facilities."

The renovations help save nearly 19 percent in overall energy costs and the high-efficiency plumbing fixtures reduce water usage by nearly 29 percent, the release added.

Click here to read the complete release.

District considers outsourcing custodial and maintenance positions

WEST WINDSOR, NJ — In an effort to reduce a $2.75 million budget gap, the West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District is looking to outsource its 125 custodial and maintenance positions, according to the Times of Trenton.

By contracting a third-party firm to provide the district with maintenance and custodial services, it could save money from not having to maintain its own staff and the requisite payroll and benefit costs associated with it, the story stated.

According to the story, many local residents are upset that the district would, even with a budget deficit looming, consider outsourcing the positions and placing "strangers" in their schools.

Some in the community, including district staff, are concerned that outsourcing custodial and maintenance positions will lead to a downgrade in quality that will adversely affect the district's facilities and their occupants, the story noted.

West Windsor-Plainsboro Regional School District Board of Education President Hemant Marathe said: "There are jobs at stake. I fully understand why people are having this kind of reaction. We are happy with the service [our current employees] are providing us, people don't seem to raise concerns about strangers coming into our district with them. Every person when you hire them is a stranger at first. Does that mean you can't hire anybody?"

The district has recently privatized school bus transportation and food service, and proponents of outsourcing feel privatizing district custodial and maintenance positions is a logical cost-saving measure, the story added.

Click here to read the complete article.

Bedbugs are a formidable foe

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ — Bedbugs, once thought of as a problem only in cheap hotels with poor sanitation, can actually infest anywhere individuals move in and out frequently, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

According to the article, bedbugs can be found in hotels, college dorms, apartment buildings and other places and, from there, they easily hitchhike on clothing or in luggage to a home or office.

For decades, bedbugs were largely controlled with powerful insecticides, but they have reemerged since dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) and other such chemicals were banned and classified as harmful to humans, the story stated.

Clay Scherer, an entomologist with the DuPont Company, said: "It doesn't matter whether it's a high-end or low-end hotel; all are at risk, and all types have been known to be infested. [Because no substitutes for older insecticides have been developed,] there is no surefire way to control bedbugs yet."

Experts like Richard Cooper of Cooper Pest Solutions Inc. say it is unlikely one will be able to detect bedbugs with just a cursory inspection of a hotel room, and because of this, it becomes extremely difficult for hotel housekeepers to note a possible infestation and act accordingly to remediate the problem, the story noted.

Many properties do not have a problem with bedbugs because they are proactive against an infestation by adhering to a pest control program; however, with the increase in international travel, concerns are slowly rising, the story added.

Ed Grose, executive director of the Greater Philadelphia Hotel Association, said: "They're very guarded about it. But if I put on a seminar about bedbugs, they're very interested."

Click here to read the complete article.

Stephen Ashkin selected to help revise LEED-EBOM

BLOOMINGTON, IN — The Ashkin Group and the Green Cleaning Network LLC have been selected to work with the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) as it prepares a revision of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Existing Buildings: Operations and Maintenance (LEED-EBOM), according to a press release.

According to the release, Stephen Ashkin, long considered the "father of green cleaning," is president of The Ashkin Group and Sustainable Dashboard Tools LLC, co-founder of Green Cleaning University and founder of the Green Cleaning Network.

Although the new standards will not be released for two years, the preparatory planning work, including feedback and comments from the industry, is needed by January 30, 2010, the release stated.

Ashkin said: "Based on our experience working on the LEED-EB Core Committee, we have been asked to gather comments directly from the [cleaning] industry about LEED and its impact on green cleaning. Comments will be summarized and then presented to the LEED Technical Advisory Groups (TAG) for consideration as they revise the prerequisites and credits for the 2012 Rating Systems. I believe it is crucial that all segments of our industry get involved with this process. The revisions made will impact our industry for years to come. I want our industry to [continue to] play a leading role in not only promoting green and sustainable issues, but setting some of the rules for creating healthy, high performing buildings."

Because Ashkin believes this process is so important, a new website — http://www.ashkinleedeb.com — has been launched specifically for collecting comments from industry professionals, the release noted.

Click here to read the complete release.

OSHA's $472,900 combustible dust bust

ROSEMOUNT, MN — The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently cited Endres Processing LLC with safety and health violations that include exposing workers to combustible dust hazards, according to Occupational Health & Safety.

According to the story, Endres Processing, which manufactures an animal feed supplement from unsold bakery products, was hit with four willful violations and five serious violations totaling $266,900 in fines following a health inspection.

The willful violations allege a lack of explosion protection, the failure to equip process equipment with combustible dust collection systems, hazardous accumulations of dust and the use of electrical equipment that was unsafe to use in areas with combustible dust accumulation, the story stated.

The serious violations address hazards from workers breathing the dust, allowing combustible materials in areas where workers were welding and unsafe electrical equipment and practices, the story noted.

According to the article, OSHA also initiated a safety inspection that resulted in the issuance of two willful violations and 21 serious violations, adding fines of $206,000.

Endres Processing has 15 business days to comply, request an informal conference with the OSHA area director or contest the 32 safety and health violations totaling $472,900 in fines before the independent U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission (OSHRC), the story added.

Click here to read the complete article.

Ten things a cleaning service won't admit

WASHINGTON — There are at least 10 things a cleaning service will not tell you about the services they offer or, if they do disclose such information, it will be ambiguous and likely not the answer you were seeking, according to the Wall Street Journal.

It is recommended to ask a cleaning service for at least five references from customers who have utilized said company's services within the last six months and to check with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to ensure the company employs sound business practices, the story stated.

Bill Griffin, president of Cleaning Consultant Services Inc., said: "[Unfortunately, there's no way of knowing what you'll get until it's too late, since anyone] with a spray bottle, rag and business card can call himself [or herself] a housecleaner."

Ten things a cleaning service will never admit are:

1. "We're as good as our word. And that's not very good."

2. "We're more about a quick clean than a thorough job ..."

3. "... That is, if our workers even know what they're doing."

4. "The first time's going to cost you."

5. "You're letting a bunch of strangers in your house, you know."

6. "We're bonded — for what that's worth."

7. "Sorry, that doesn't quite translate."

8. "Sure, I'll work under the table — but you're the one who pays if we get caught."

9. "If I get hurt in your house, we'll both be in pain."

10. "We don't always make up for our mistakes."

Experts suggest asking a prospective cleaning service about the training its employees receive, something that can help eliminate confusion as to whether a specific cleaning service is ideal for you, the story noted.

Another good tactic is to call the cleaning service with special requests the night before, and have supervisors relay requests to housekeepers and janitors before they arrive the next day, the story added.

According to the article, there are more than 30,000 cleaning services operating in the United States, and although many of them are reputable and have a track record to prove it, it behooves consumers to ask questions and be inquisitive of a cleaning service before patronizing their offerings.

Click here to read the complete article.