FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 10, 2012
DEP PARTNERS WITH CLARA WHITE MISSION TO TEACH GREEN CLEANING
~Janitorial services job-training program includes green cleaning component~
JACKSONVILLE – The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) provided hands-on green cleaning training this week at the Clara White Mission. Through this training, students of Clara White Mission’s janitorial services job-training program learned new skills that will help them both find employment and green Florida's future.
“Our partnership with the Clara White Mission has been truly rewarding,” said DEP Director of Sustainable Initiatives Brad Stombock. “It allows us to help the mission provide students with a unique and marketable skill, as well as to increase the use of gren cleaning practices in businesses and industry."
The Clara White Mission partners with businesses and local community organizations to reduce homelessness through advocacy, housing, job training and employment. In 2008, the Mission started a Janitorial/Environmental Services Training Program to train people for work as housekeepers and janitors in the hospitality industry. Since its inaugural course, the Mission has invited DEP to enhance the program by providing information on green cleaning. Nine classes later, DEP has taught more than 120 students green cleaning skills.
Green cleaning practices can be implemented throughout the entire cleaning process. Programs assess space, products and work practices to maximize cleanliness while reducing unnecessary employee, staff, patient, visitor and environmental exposure to hazardous chemicals. In addition, green cleaning focuses on improving indoor air quality, reducing water pollution and encouraging recycling.
In addition to the green cleaning training, DEP also provided students with green cleaning kits containing microfiber cloths, environmentally-friendly cleaning products and ingredients and directions for creating their own green products.
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