4B: Reducing Energy and Water Use Easy Steps that Reduce our Impacts

Reducing our energy and water use You can be an energy and water conservation champion Our green commercial cleaners are formulated to work effectively in cold water Do not misuse the dilution machines or containers Learn which lights and appliances can be turned off Simple practices extend the life and reduce the energy use of appliances Report water leaks and broken sensors in sinks, urinals, toilets and other water devices Intent: The intent of this module is to raise custodian’s awareness of the positive role they can play in helping the city conserve precious energy and water resources Custodians are often the first and last city staff in facilities and spend the most time looking at facility conditions You can help reduce our environmental footprint by being aware of unnecessary resource use, such as lights left on or appliances left on. Check that refrigerator and freeze doors are closed, coffee pots and television monitors are turned off Periodically check and clean the coils underneath refrigerators Report plumbing leak and drips immediately Report malfunctioning sensors on toilets, urinals and faucets The cleaning products we use are formulated to work effectively in cold water. They will not work differently with hot water. Do not double pump the dilution machines to increase product concentration or otherwise change the formulations Microfiber cloths and mops are tools that help conserve water

Turn the lights off

Turn off television monitors

Turn off unused coffee pots

Make sure refrigerators and freezers are closed

Clean refrigerator and vending machine coils

Report dripping faucets

Report malfunctioning sensors on faucets, toilets and urinals

Clean with cold water

Use the dilution stations and dilute properly

Microfiber cloths save water

Microfiber mops save water

Quiz Which of the following are generally safe to turn off? Unused coffee pots Television monitors Computers a & b Green cleaning products only work well in hot water: (True or False) True False It is acceptable to alter the dilution system and bottles in the following circumstances: When you want a stronger cleaning product You want to mix cleaning chemicals Because chemistry is fun It is never appropriate to alter the dilution system or bottles Correct answers: 1, d 2, b 3, d