Almost by necessity, the JanSan industry has been at the forefront of the “green cleaning” movement. The methods and materials used in green cleaning are designed to enhance both human health and environmental quality.
In recent years, the cleaning products market has seen a major expansion in ecologically friendly products, often manufactured by mainstream companies, which are competitively priced and offer the same performance levels of earlier, environmentally-harmful products.
Products which result from an environmentally-friendly manufacturing process and which are biodegradable often are identified as “green” or eco-friendly. These green products have often replaced chemically-reactive cleaning products which contain toxins.
Thus, in addition to being friendly to the environment, green cleaning reduces human health risks by reducing exposure to harmful chemicals. Green cleaning has also proven to be good for business, improving productivity, reducing liability, reducing costs, and improving public relations.
The green cleaning trend has stemmed from increasing public awareness about environmental issues. Green products and practices have also been spurred by the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED rating system for certifying buildings and new construction, as well as a number of state laws mandating green cleaning.
Green janitorial supply products cover a wide range of items ranging from mops, napkins, bathroom tissue, bathroom cleaners, and oven cleaners to liquid laundry detergent, dishwashing liquid, disinfectant wipes, lime scale removers, and all purpose cleaners.
For example, the all-purpose cleaner Clorox Green Works is cleaning powder derived from natural sources, such as coconut-based cleaning agent, corn-based alcohol and biodegradable preservative. The product contains no phosphorus or bleach and is backed by the EPA.
Products can be recognized or certified as “green” by these entities:
- The U.S. EPA Design for the Environment recognizes products which use the safest possible ingredients.
- The Green Seal sets standards for hand cleaners based on reduced toxicity and environmental impact
- The EcoLogo (Environmental Choice) sets standards for hand cleaners which are biodegradable and have low toxicity and environmental impact
- The Art and Creative Materials Institute (ACMI) certifies products as non-toxic
- The Carpet and Rug Institute designated its Green Label and Seal of Approval for vacuum cleaners and carpet extraction equipment.
Through the development and adoption of green products, the professional cleaning industry has become a leader in environmental responsibility. Most JanSan suppliers offer a wide range of green products which are often the best choice, from both the environmental and economic perspectives.
