Custodial Services is diving into MSU's Be Spartan Green initiative and is leading the way with new techniques and technology. Already using green cleaning products, the department is now using some floor cleaners that don't use any chemicals.

Last fall, Custodial Services purchased a new floor cleaning machine which electrically converts water into a chemical-free cleaning solution. The Tennant Company's T5 Walk-behind Floor Scrubber uses the company's ec-H2O technology to clean without using any soap.

"It's radically new technology for us," said Brandon Baswell, Custodial Services Manager. "I'm impressed with the company for designing the machine. It definitely was forward-thinking."

The T5 was first tested at MSU's Computer Center, where it was given a "thumbs up" from Custodian III Rosemary Olger, the building's head custodian. Following her approval, Custodial Services bought several more of the green machines. Baswell said the T5 is particularly effective on floors such as those found at the Duffy Daugherty Football Building.

"The reason we're using it on the football floor is that we have a unique floor here where most of our normal chemicals streaked on it," he said. "But this machine does not leave any streaking."

Custodian II Mark Davenport (pictured), the head custodian at Duffy Daugherty, is a fan of the new machine.

"It's a lot quicker to set up, and you don't have the suds you have with a regular machine," said Davenport.

Even though Custodial Services has been using green cleaning products, Baswell said the T5 is better not only for cleaning but also for his staff and his budget.

"Purchasing these machines was a win/win," said Baswell. "We've always used fewer chemicals than we needed for these types of applications, and we were using a green chemical, but using no chemical is greener than anything else."

Baswell calculates that the average chemical savings using the new machine will total $500 per year, which would equate to an 18-month payback for the machine's cost.

March 19, 2009