How to Choose Green When There is No Label

Note, this article was published a few years back, but still has relevance today.

In the past decade, it has become much easier for building service contractors (BSCs) to select Green Cleaning products. All they must do is look at a product's certification label from a respected certification organization. In that case, the BSC is assured that the product has been independently tested and meets the necessary criteria to be considered environmentally preferable.

Today, we have scores of cleaning chemicals, tools, and equipment with the green certification mark on their label. However, many cleaning products used daily—several considered essential to proper cleaning—are not third-party certified or recognized as Green. Sometimes, that's for a simple reason: no green certification standards or criteria have been developed. This includes such everyday products as:

· Mops

· Buckets

· Carts

· Matting

· Ice melt.

It also applies to specific cleaning systems, which have become more prevalent in recent years, such as steam vapor, engineered water, and chemical-free cleaning devices and systems. Also excluded from being green-certified eligible are graffiti removers and even furniture polish.

Suppose there is no green label or certification for these products, and a BSC wants to operate in a thoroughly green manner. How can they determine if these products are at least environmentally friendly?

What must be done is to go back to understanding what green cleaning is all about. Green cleaning refers to using products or procedures that have a reduced impact on health and the environment when compared to related products or services used for the same purpose. So, if there is no green label. here are some things contractors should look for:

· Raw materials acquisition. Is the product made from non-renewable materials or from renewable or recycled and recyclable products?

· Packaging. Packaging materials are often made from non-renewable resources and add significantly to landfills if they cannot be recycled.

· Manufacturing and distribution location. Products that are manufactured and distributed locally require less fuel to transport, saving natural resources and reducing greenhouse gas impacts.

· Disposal. Green is a cradle–to–grave concept. This means that a green or greener product can be recycled or reused when the product reaches the end of its lifecycle. The goal is to minimize landfill waste.

BSCs can also approach this issue by thinking outside of the box.

For instance, when comparing two products that do not qualify for third-party green certification, a Green-minded BSC would prefer more durable and repairable products. This reduces environmental impacts because these products last longer, require fewer natural resources to manufacture, and have a reduced impact on landfills.

Other items to look for:

· Cleaning products that use less energy. For example, if a cleaning machine's motor has been developed in the past few years, it is likely more energy efficient than a motor developed ten or more years ago.

· Cleaning equipment that works well with cold water. The goal here is to reduce hot water needs, therefore reducing energy.

· Cleaning equipment that uses less water. Many newer carpet extractors use less water; some even recycle water and solution, dramatically reducing water consumption. Additionally, many newer flooring machines use less water. As a bonus, machines that use less water typically use fewer chemicals, which helps reduce cleaning's impact on the environment.

And there are steps contractors can take to Green their services in general. For instance, BSCs can choose floor finishes that reduce floor refinishing cycles. Many of the chemicals used in floor care are some of the most powerful in our industry. Reducing their use helps protect people and the environment.

The Upshot

While not every product used in cleaning is currently or may ever be Green certified, there are steps BSCs can take to ensure they are doing their part to offer the most environmentally responsible, sustainability focused service possible. Many BSCs have told me once they start comparing cleaning products based on their environmental impact, it spreads to all kinds of products they select, those used for business and personal use.

Steve Ashkin is president of the Ashkin Group, a consulting firm specializing in Green Cleaning and sustainability. ISSA, the worldwide cleaning association, has recognized Steve as one of the one hundred most important contributors to the professional cleaning industry in the organization's 100-year history.

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