PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. — Policy No. 5500, regarding the procurement of green product cleaning supplies, is up for renewal at next month’s Calvert County Board of Education meeting. The policy requires that schools purchase “environmentally preferable” cleaning products to help provide clean, safe and healthy school environments.
The policy was enacted in October 2021 and is up for its four-year standard review. Director of School Facilities Gregory Gott recommended that the policy be renewed without changes in November.
The policy defines green products as “cleaning and cleaning maintenance products and supplies intended for routine cleaning and cleaning maintenance that perform well [with] positive health and environmental attributes, including biodegradability, low toxicity, low volatile organic compound content, reduced packaging, low life cycle energy use and lesser or reduced effects on human health and the environment when compared to competing products that serve the same purpose.”
Room deodorizers, air fresheners, toilet deodorizers or hand cleaners do not have to be green. The policy also specifies that green products will be procured “to the extent practicable and economically feasible.”
Green products are believed to be better for the environment and human health because they lack the harsh ingredients of traditional products. Those ingredients can be harmful to the human body and contribute to soil, water and air pollution.
Board members will vote to renew, change or rescind the policy at the first November meeting, date to be determined.
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Doesn’t the school board ban everything