User talk:Niccol9132

Sustainable Cleaning

In the 1980’s the United Nations created a commission title the UN Decade for Education for Sustainable Development in response to a growing realization of the need to balance economic and social progress with the concerns for the environment. The Commission defined sustainable development in the publication as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

People and corporations need to be responsible and do the right thing when it comes to protecting our earth. There are many factors that can help contribute to sustainability, but the one discussed here is chemicals. Each year, millions of tons of carcinogens are washed down drains. Harsh chemicals in cleaning products often contain chemicals that have adverse effects on the environment. In addition to negative effects on the environment, chemical cleaning products also have health effects on those that work with them on a daily basis or are exposed to them in the workplace.

"Green chemicals" started to show up in the marketplace in the late 1980's. However, during the introduction stages of these types of products, many companies purchased these chemicals at premium prices only to learn that they did not work. Recently with improvements in technology and a better understanding of customer needs, several companies have began to develop cleaning products that work, are priced right, and are better for the environment and human health. Today, many businesses are beginning to use sustainable cleaning chemicals to clean their facilities. Employees, workers, and customers were demanding it. But, with so many products out there to choose from, how do you know which ones to pick?

While Green Seal and the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Design for the Environment (DfE) program are a good benchmark, they should not be the only consideration if you are selecting green cleaning products. One item that may be helpful to remember that certifications are based on a process that can take a long time to complete. Therefore, while these certifications are relevant, they may not be the most up-to-date source of information in "green" chemicals. Some other helpful tips might include reviewing the ingredients in the product. Are they made from naturally derived ingredients like sugar, surfactants, citrus, milk and soybeans? Natural ingredients in products are effective cleaners and are more sustainable for human health and the environment. Another tip is looking at the company supplying the product. What is their commitment to Sustainability and how long have they been manufacturing the product?

An innovator in this space is a company called Coastwide Laboratories, a regional distributor located in the Pacific Northwest. Coastwide began looking into this area in the early 1980's. Chief Science Officer, Roger McFadden reviewed several products and found various harmful ingredients such as volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde, and carcinogens in the products. McFadden recognized the danger in these chemicals and developed the Sustainable Cleaning Product Design Standard (SEGC-114) in which all products developed by the manufacturer must comply with. In addition, the company developed a “green gatekeeper” policy that made sure that cleaning chemicals that they distribute also meet their sustainability requirements.

McFadden developed the Sustainable Earth® product line is 2003. This development marks the first time a performance-driven product also complied with SEGC-114, Green Seal, and DfE requirements. In July 2007, Sustainable Earth® became available to a national audience and made the product available to businesses everywhere in the U.S.

Niccol9132 14:41, 16 July 2007 (UTC)