Harvard has established comprehensive guidance for choosing more sustainable cleaning products, equipment, and single-use paper goods across campus operations. Our approach emphasizes the selection of items that meet leading industry standards for sustainability and safety, with the goal of reducing environmental impact while supporting health and operational quality.

Harvard maintains high standards for campus cleaning practices that emphasize safety, efficiency, and environmental responsibility.  These practices ensure a healthy and safe environment for the campus community while advancing our sustainability goals.

Harvard’s standards emphasize the importance of comprehensive education and training for all custodial staff to support safe, effective, and sustainable cleaning practices. Employees are encouraged to participate in annual training to stay current with best practices, safe use of products and equipment, and evolving environmental standards.  

Harvard’s Sustainable Cleaning Standards highlight the importance of transparency and continuous improvement through an annual reporting process. Cleaning vendors are encouraged to maintain and update an inventory of all cleaning and maintenance products routinely used on campus, across five priority categories: cleaning and degreasing products, floor care, hand soaps and sanitizers, specialty cleaners, and disinfectants. In addition, the use of paper products and cleaning equipment, such as vacuum cleaners, is also tracked.

Vendors are also asked to establish and annually update general cleaning plans, as well as specific plans tailored to different types of spaces, such as residence halls or specialized facilities. These plans outline core cleaning procedures and any space-specific practices, supporting consistency and high standards across campus environments.