Green Housekeeping
University Housekeeping is a leader in sustainable cleaning practices and purchasing.
University Housekeeping is leading the way in green cleaning. Housekeeping staff undergo regular training to ensure the delivery of a clean, healthy environment for building occupants.
NC State’s comprehensive approach to green cleaning includes:
- Saving energy and water
- Improving indoor air quality
- Furthering recycling efforts
- Increasing occupant productivity
- Purchasing environmentally-friendly products
Housekeeping staff engage in practices such as:
- HEPA filtration vacuum systems removes 99.9 percent of airborne particles and aids in relief from asthma and allergies
- Energy-efficient light bulbs that are responsibly recycled when no longer of use
- A water-based cleaning system allows housekeepers to clean most campus surfaces with technology that converts water, electricity and a small amount of salt into an effective cleaning solution. This reduces the amount of packaged chemicals shipped to, stored and used on campus.
- Housekeeping now uses more Green Seal-certified cleaning products than ever. Dispensing stations pre-measure chemicals to reduce water usage and ensure accurate, safe dilution.
- Microfiber cloths reduce waste and water use while also cleaning more effectively than paper towels. Housekeeping even added a small laundry facility in Polk Hall so that microfiber clothes could be cleaned cost-effectively and with sustainable soaps.
- Floor cleaning pads are shipped to a nearby refurbishing facility after use. There, pads can be regenerated for reuse up to 8 times, saving money and reducing waste.
- Lights out walk throughs
- Microfiber mops that reduce water usage by up to 90 percent over traditional-style mops
- Recycled content paper products
- Catch and release pest control
