Lead custodian Keith Giles, at Unity College for less than a year, has reinvigorated the school's role in its overall green approach to cleaning services.

In addition to purchasing earth-friendly cleaning products, Giles purchased Andersen floor mats. One might say, with that purchase he has "cleaned up," both financially and health-wise.

“These mats are particularly effective in trapping a higher percentage of loose dirt than conventional mats, and this results in less cleaning time for custodians,” said Giles. “There is also better air quality in all Unity College buildings because there is less loose dust floating in the air.”

Giles said purchasing Andersen mats help Unity College to reach its sustainability goals. “In what Unity College spent in one year to rent floor mats, it was able to purchase the Andersen mats,” Giles said. “Depending on traffic we expect these Andersen mats to last three to four years.”

The mats are designed to stop up to 85 percent of dirt within the first 15 feet of building entry. Scrapers go outside the door, waterhogs are directly inside the door, and then there is a finish mat. “The scraper and waterhogs get most of the dirt, and the finish mat basically dries your feet,” said Giles. “This is an entire system for reducing dirt in buildings, and especially floating in the air, so overall, we have been very pleased with this approach.”

Ami Knisley, senior vice president for academic affairs, likes the approach. “We hear a great deal about implementing green solutions in the workplace,” said Knisley, a member of the college budget committee. "We’re pleased to know that working with Andersen allows us to live up to our role as America’s environmental college while saving money for the college.”