The city’s buildings could gleam that-much-more sustainably clean if the Board of Aldermen decides to pass an ordinance requiring the city to use only eco-friendly cleaning products. 

Alderman Rebekah Gewirtz proposed further discussion at last week’s regular meeting.  

“I know we do have some green cleaning products that are used in some areas of the city,” said Gewirtz, “But I’m wondering about doing this citywide. Brookline did something like this. I think they had a lot of success. It keeps our kids safer in the schools, our residents safer as a general matter and helps to improve our environmental surroundings.”  

Alderman Robert Trane said he had researched the potential benefits of using green cleaning products and would present his findings at the next Committee on Environment and Energy meeting. Trane said in an interview that local hotels were making safe chemicals on site, and he would like to see the city do the same.

The city uses hydrogen peroxide-based, all-purpose cleaner in school buildings, according to Jackie Rossetti, the city’s deputy director of communications. Rossetti said that the city also uses biodegradable substances in other municipal buildings.

The board asked the Environmental Programs Manager to tell them at a future meeting about the city’s efforts to use green cleaning products in buildings and whether or not they should pass an ordinance requiring their use.

Mayor Curtatone’s “Sustainable Somerville” plan encourages city government officials to show preference for products that are “environmentally preferred.”

Following Brookline's Lead

Tommy Vitolo, a member of Brookline’s legislative branch, said he proposed the switch to eco-friendly cleaning products because he worried about prolonged exposure to toxic chemicals on behalf of the town's custodial workers. Now they're using green cleaning products certified by the Green Seal non-profit organization when they're as effective but no more expensive than regular ones, (which Vitolo clarified is most of the time).

He said that the availability of multi-use, eco-friendly products has made it easier for the town to order cleaning supplies. The concentrated products also come with a mixer, he said, which prevents workers from inadvertently using too much of them and, as a result, wasting money. 

However, Vitolo said that Brookline hasn’t found a green floor polish comparable to regular floor polish, but will apparently continue looking for one.