Chicago Public Schools and HGSC Partner to Improve Cleaning for Health 

The Healthy Green Schools & Colleges (HGSC) standard is a pioneering framework designed to promote best-in-class facility management and operational practices for K-12 school districts and higher education institutions. The standard emphasizes key categories such as cleaning, pest management, building maintenance, indoor air quality, training and communication, and sustainable purchasing. A significant focus of the HGSC standard revolves around the procurement of environmentally preferable consumable goods, which poses a notable challenge and opportunity for Chicago Public Schools (CPS) in their pursuit of certification.  

The HGSC standard requires that at least 25 percent of consumable goods purchases meet environmentally preferable criteria, with a tiered scoring system that awards up to eight points for higher percentages of compliant purchases. Consumable goods encompass a wide range of products, including general-purpose cleaning products, sanitizers, disinfectants, specialty cleaning products, hand soaps, alcohol-based hand sanitizers, laundry care products, sanitary paper products, printing and writing paper, disposable menstrual products, trash and recycling can liners, paints, coatings, stains, sealers, and ice melt products.  

Evaluating Standards  

Before adopting the HGSC standard, CPS initiated efforts to centralize and standardize its procurement processes. Previously, supply procurement was managed by a third-party Integrated Facility Management (IFM) vendor, which limited CPS's transparency and control over the quality and standards of purchased supplies and chemicals. While CPS was developing internal best practices, the absence of a recognized third-party standard hindered the program's credibility and trust among building occupants.  

The HGSC standard provided CPS with a robust framework to enhance its existing procurement practices and elevate its facility management program. By integrating HGSC's specific requirements, CPS improved transparency, standardized procedures, and aligned its operations with a credible, third-party benchmark. This alignment not only strengthened internal processes but also fostered greater trust among stakeholders by demonstrating a commitment to healthy and sustainable environments.  

Path to Certification  

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) achieved a historic milestone as the first school district in the United States to attain Healthy Green Schools & Colleges (HGSC) Gold-Level Certification, earning an impressive total of 90 points. A cornerstone of this accomplishment was CPS’s strategic focus on the Procurement - Consumables category, which played a pivotal role in meeting the rigorous HGSC standards.  

Through a detailed analysis of its consumable goods expenditures, CPS identified that a substantial portion of its budget — over $20,000 per week — was allocated to bath tissue. While the bath tissue in use complied with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines for Commercial and Industrial Sanitary Tissue, boasting 100 percent recycled content, it did not carry the Green Seal or UL Ecologo certification required for HGSC compliance.  

To address this gap, CPS collaborated closely with its supply chain partners to identify cost-effective, compliant alternatives. Central to this effort was CPS’s partnership with Cintas, a key vendor in its weekly supply program. By actively engaging Cintas in the HGSC certification process, CPS successfully transitioned to a Green Seal-certified bath tissue that not only met HGSC standards but was also more cost-effective than the previously used product. This strategic shift not only enhanced compliance but also yielded significant cost savings for the district.  

The impact of this initiative extended beyond CPS’s immediate procurement practices. The adoption of Green Seal-certified products inspired other vendor partners to pursue similar certifications, amplifying the broader sustainability impact of CPS’s efforts. This collaborative approach with vendors strengthened CPS’s ability to meet HGSC requirements while fostering a culture of environmental responsibility across its supply chain.  

The successful transition to compliant, cost-effective consumable products was instrumental in CPS achieving the maximum eight points in the Procurement - Consumables category, contributing significantly to the 90 points required for Gold-Level Certification.  

This case study exemplifies how strategic vendor partnerships and a commitment to sustainable procurement can drive both environmental and economic benefits, setting a benchmark for other school districts pursuing HGSC certification.  

Outcomes and Impact  

By transitioning to a compliant and cost-effective bath tissue and re-evaluating other consumable purchases, CPS achieved over 85 percent environmentally preferable spending in the consumables category, earning the maximum eight points in this section. These points were instrumental in securing the 90 points required for Gold-Level Certification. The success of this initiative underscores the value of engaging vendor partners in sustainability goals and prioritizing healthy, environmentally responsible purchasing decisions.  

The case of Chicago Public Schools exemplifies how the Healthy Green Schools & Colleges standard can transform facility management practices. Through strategic vendor partnerships, rigorous procurement analysis, and a commitment to sustainability, CPS not only achieved HGSC Gold-Level Certification but also set a precedent for other school districts to follow. This case study highlights the importance of collaboration, transparency, and innovation in creating healthier, more sustainable school environments. 

Brian Martin is the CPS PMO Deputy Program Director, overseeing the Facilities PMO program team. Brian's experience includes program governance and standards, integration between Capital and Facilities teams, project management support, and supply chain management support.  

Rebecca Belvisi is a CPS PMO Project Manager and was the lead project manager for CPS's HGSC gold-level certification. Rebecca also leads the development of CPS's Facilities and Capital SOP program. 

Click here to learn more about Chicago Public Schools and their transition from outsource cleaning to an in-house custodial program, as well as how that impacted their processes.