July 14, 2008 — Missouri Governor Matt Blunt has signed into law an act that will establish guidelines and recommendations for a green cleaning policy in K–12 schools and for “environmentally sensitive” cleaning products, beginning with the 2009-10 school year. In so doing, Missouri becomes the third state to enact a law that specifically requires green cleaning for schools.

The Missouri law was preceded by similar legislation enacted in New York State in 2006 and Illinois in 2007. In addition, to date 13 other states have adopted green cleaning policies of some nature. ISSA has summarized all state, local, and federal government green cleaning procurement policies and mandates in a document titled Green Cleaning Product Procurement Policies, Initiatives and Requirements in the U.S.

The Missouri green cleaning for schools act requires schools to implement a green cleaning program consistent with guidelines and specifications to be developed by the State Department of Health in conjunction with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education as well as cleaning industry representatives and others.  

The guidelines will define and otherwise address environmentally sensitive products such as cleaning product formulations, jansan paper products, and equipment. In drafting the guidelines, the legislation requires the Department of Health to provide “multiple avenues” by which cleaning products may be determined to be environmentally sensitive. By law, the guidelines and specifications are to be completed no later than 180 days after August 28, 2008.

The Missouri green cleaning for schools legislation can be viewed online by clicking here. (Section 161.365, p.22, addresses green cleaning for schools).