Custodial Services

Our standard waste station is referred to as a “Quad”.  It includes four streams of waste for collection and removal.  Mixed Paper, Cans and Bottles (glass and plastic type), Compostable Organics, and Trash. As much as possible this is offered as the only collection point that is removed by custodial staff.  The program is designed to allow each individual the opportunity to properly sort their waste into the four streams to participate in our collective goal of Zero Waste.

Recycling at the U.

The Maroon Standard is our guide for what we clean and how often we clean it.  Actual frequencies may vary based upon area usage and occupancy as part of our Condition Based Cleaning program.  We strive not to use resources servicing lightly used areas more frequently than necessary, but to instead direct our efforts where it will have the most impact in making our facilities Safe, Welcoming, and Reliable.  We refer to this as: “See Dirt. Clean Dirt.”

To complement the routine cleaning efforts, custodial teams also perform periodic deep cleaning activities that we refer to as Project Work.  These range from pre scrubbing and hot water extracting carpets, to machine scrubbing and pressure spraying restrooms, to scrubbing and refinishing hard floors.  During school break periods all staff participate in deep cleaning of classrooms, study areas, and residential rooms to prepare for the next year’s occupants.  

Exterior entrance areas are serviced by our custodial staff in the winter from the doors out to a line where the Landcare staff perform their services.  We have instructed our people to use ice melt products sparingly using the Smart Salter training program from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to protect the natural environment. 

Our first line of service for burnt out lights are our frontline custodial staff.  If a light is within reach using a standard A-Frame ladder we will be the first responders to try a simple lamp replacement.  If this is not possible, or a new lamp does not correct the issue, then it becomes a repair Work Task for the Maintenance teams.

Our teams are the first responders to water events and floods inside the buildings.  We also work with other departments to support them with special events, extra cleaning and restoration, and construction cleanup tasks to prepare new or remodeled spaces for occupancy.

Yes we do! 

• Our routine cleaning solutions from 3M are Green Seal Certified and come in sealed bottles of concentrate that only dispense through a dilution control system.  This prevents direct contact with concentrates and properly dilutes the product every time. 
• Our Diversey floor finish stripper is Green Seal certified and safely dispenses from their RTD bottle at the proper dilution without any manual mixing. 
• The 3M scrubbing pads that we use on our floor machines are Green Seal certified. 
• All of our mops, dusters, cleaning pads and cloths are laundered microfiber for maximum performance and reduced waste.  They withstand many multiple uses and launderings. 
• We use the Green Guard certified practice of never spraying product into the air but instead only down directly onto our cleaning cloths. 
• Our plastic waste and recycle liners are made from 90% recycled content and are custom sized to fit our receptacles perfectly.  Certified by SCS Global Services. 
• Our GP brown restroom paper roll towels are Green Seal Certified made from 100% recovered material and at least 50% post consumer recycled content.  Our GP toilet tissue is EPA compliant with at least 20% post consumer recycled content. 

After many demos of different robotic machines on the market we have finally found one that we believe will be viable for our needs.  We have two long term trials in process right now using Cenobot Robotic Scrubbers.  One is in Keller Hall on East Bank, and the other is in Hanson Hall on West Bank.  Both can be found on second shift autonomously scrubbing public corridor floors.

We provide the best products we can find to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our people.  A few examples:

Our custom made D-Handle tool with attachments for dusting and wiping.

Battery powered back pack vacuums for cord free movement and efficiency.

Dual compartment mop buckets used with microfiber flat mops for faster mopping.

Rider battery powered equipment for larger floor surfaces - both vacuums and scrubbers.

We provide a full week of training to every newly hired custodian in our Custodial Training Center.  This includes everything from policies and information about working here at the U, to knowledge of our products and equipment, to an understanding of cleaning science, and finally to hands on work on most all aspects of the job.  Once out in their teams the support and training continues from supervisors, leads, and co-workers.  We do our best to set up our people for success in their new job!  

Our crews consist of nearly 500 fulltime custodial staff and 30 supervisors.  Over half of the supervisors also oversee portions of maintenance in their assigned areas.  We also employee student workers in varied quantities throughout the year. Most frontline staff are grouped into team cleaning squads led by a lead who performs the Utility Tech position on the squad.