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 Toxics Self-Audit for Houses of Worship: (Name of Institution) Becoming a "Toxic-Free
Zone" On (date), the (name of institution) , in partnership with GreenFaith, New Jersey's interfaith environmental coalition, conducted a "toxics audit" to identify ways to eliminate the use of toxic cleaning and maintenance products in its facility and on its grounds. “We literally took a hard look at what we’re using to clean our floors and bathrooms and to keep our facility free from pests,” said (name of ordained leader/leader of institution). “We want to reduce the impact our institution has on creation, and the members of this institution have responded well to this important message.” On the day of the audit, GreenFaith and representatives of (name of institution) catalogued the products and methods used for cleaning and pest management, both inside and outside the facility. Volunteers listed the various chemicals, learned about ways to dispose of them safely, and created strategies for acquiring new, healthier products and implementing environmentally-safer methods for keeping their facility clean and pest-free. (To learn more about those products and strategies, visit www.greenfaith.org.) “We’ve put plans into action to make our institution a toxic-free zone, which will help protect human health and the environment,” said (name of volunteer). “We’re proud of what we’ve done.” GreenFaith has a number of resources to help religious institutions become toxic-free zones, including experience working with religious institutions of various kinds on these issues, providing access to the Rutgers bulk purchasing contract for certified green cleaning products, and relationships with green cleaning products vendors. “Religious institutions often house programs for children, who are particularly vulnerable to the impact of toxics because of their stage of development,” said the Rev. Fletcher Harper, GreenFaith’s Executive Director. “We hope that other religious institutions will follow the example of (name of institution) and take steps to make their institution a toxic-free zone.” GreenFaith is an interfaith environmental coalition based in New Jersey. Founded in 1992, GreenFaith works with institutions from a range of religious traditions to deepen their relationship with nature and to take action for the earth. “ Our religious traditions command us to be good stewards of the earth,” said Harper. “GreenFaith knows that care for the environment can bring people of diverse faiths together to create a future where the earth and all life flourishes. Our programs make this happen every day.” For more information about GreenFaith, see www.greenfaith.org.
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