Illinois' Green Clean Schools Act Takes Effect

Passing with a 52-5 vote in the Senate last spring, Illinois became the second state in the nation to enact legislation requiring green cleaning in schools.

Now as of May 9th this year, all Illinois public and private elementary and secondary schools with 50 or more students, are required to comply with the Green Cleaning Schools Act.

Six different categories of cleaning products are required to be purchased "green" by schools.

These include:
bathroom cleaners, carpet cleaners, general purpose and hard floor surface cleaners, glass, window and mirror cleaners, hand cleaners and hand soaps and paper products

Healthy Schools Campaign, an Illinois organization that supported and advocated for the legislation explains the requirements on their website.

"products in the chemical categories are required to be certified by Green Seal, Environmental Choice, or USEPA Design for the Environment. Paper products are required to be certified by Green Seal, Environmental Choice or the USEPA Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines. Schools can also choose products certified by parties that meet or exceed the standards of those listed certifications.

However, schools are not required to throw away any products currently in stock and may use existing inventory before purchasing green replacements until the inventory is depleted.

New York is currently the only other state that requires green cleaning in schools.