|
Green Cleaning Information
What exactly do we mean by "Green Cleaning"?
There are many products that use the term "GREEN". Here is an outline of what "GREEN" means to us. First, we use 80-90% less water than traditional HWE (Hot Water Extraction) or “Steam” cleaning. Second, our products are safe for your family, children, pets, as well as the environment. Third, our cleaning pre-sprays meet the criteria listed below to be considered "GREEN".
- Must NOT contain carcinogens.
- Must NOT contain any ozone depleting compounds, greenhouse gases or
substances that contribute to smog .
- Must NOT be corrosive or irritating to the skin or eyes .
- V.O.C. levels must meet or be less volatile than the California Code of
Regulations maximum allowable V.O.C. level for various categories.
- Must NOT be delivered in aerosol cans with a petrochemical propellant .
- Must NOT contain petrochemical-derived fragrances .
- Must NOT contain dyes.
- Must NOT contain any chemicals under Section 313 of the Emergency
Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act .
- Must NOT constitute hazardous wastes .
- Must NOT contain heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, cadium, cobalt, chromium, mercury,
zinc, nickel and/or selenium .
- Must NOT contain petroleum distillates and must NOT be combustible.
- Must be "Biodegradable" .
- Must NOT contain chlorinated solvents.
- Must NOT contain persistent or bio-accumulative substances.
- Must NOT contain optical brighteners.
(*Note: these standards are in accordance with several notions of "green" cleaning, such as by the US Department of Interior, the Design for Environment standard, and the Green Seal standard.)
Locally we are a member of Sustainable Connections. This group is at the forefront of this cause in many ways.
Green Cleaning Links:
BioBased.org - Biobased Information System
Go BioBased! - Helpful information regarding Bio-Based products, such as the products we use for most residential carpet cleaning.
Greenerfacilities.org - Alliance for Sustainable Built Environments
IAQcouncil.org - American Indoor Air Quality Council.
www.Eco-Label.org - Consumers Union Guide to Environmental Labels
www.gen.gr.jp/eco - Global Ecolabelling Network (GEN)
www.informinc.org - Inform
www.hb2000.org - Healthy Buildings 2000
www.beyondpesticides.org - National Coalition Against the Misuse of Pesticides
www.zerowaste.org - Unified Green Cleaning Alliance (UGCA)
|
|
