Green Products & Services

Green Products & Services Directory

Green cleaning is a term that describes a growing trend in favor of using cleaning methods with environmentally-friendly ingredients and chemicals to preserve human health and environmental quality. Green cleaning techniques and products avoid the use of chemically-reactive and toxic cleaning products which contain various toxic chemicals, some of which emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) causing respiratory and dermatological problems among other adverse effects. Green cleaning can also describe the way residential and industrial cleaning products are manufactured, packaged and distributed. If the manufacturing process is environmentally-friendly and the products are biodegradable, then the term "green" or "eco-friendly" may apply.

Standards set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) limit human exposure and the release into the environmental of toxic chemicals but do not entirely eliminate them in general due to the political nature of law-making and review as well as uneven compliance.[citation needed] Products which contain hazardous chemicals are required to have warning labels describing potential health risks.  A Material safety data sheet (MSDS) can also be found about most chemical products. This is a resource for the consumer to find information regarding a product's effect on health and the environment.

Green cleaning companies are held to higher standards, in general, than federal or state-mandated 'green' cleaning rules. The purpose of 'going green' is to address human illnesses that arise from exposure as well as damage to the environment (water, soil, air) from disposal of these products.The role chemical exposure has in creating allergic sensitivities, reducing immunity, and contributing to cancer and other diseases, is a long-respected field of research in medicine. For example, research on human and animal exposure to formaldehyde (formalin), benzene and other solvents has resulted in legislation to limit exposure but has not completely banned these products.

The 'science' behind 'green' or non-toxic, eco-friendly cleaning is no different than the history of the use of tobacco products. Similarly, both tobacco and volatile organic compounds contained in some cleaning products, affect the body's lungs especially as well as the entire physiology. Current research links chronic, long-term exposure to multiple sources of toxins from air, water, ingestion, to the incidence of disease.

Green cleaning companies already using eco-friendly products also commonly pursue Sustainable business practices.

Harmful chemicals are prevalent not only in general consumer cleaning products but also in foods, cosmetics, home construction, clothing and many industries. In the average American home, around 63 synthetic chemical products can be found. This equates to approximately 10 gallons of hazardous chemicals. By using more ecologically-friendly products, including green cleaning formulations and products, consumers may be able to reduce human health risks by reducing exposure to these and other harmful chemicals.

Green cleaning, in a commercial/industrial setting, can mean a holistic approach to facility cleaning and maintenance that can provide health benefits, improved productivity, reduced liability, cost savings and improved community relations. Recent advancements in chemical technology have made it possible to develop cleaning products that are as effective as traditional products, but that do not contain harsh ingredients.

Some benefits of a well-designed green cleaning program can include:

Improved productivity and morale of building occupants
Improved health of building occupants, which helps reduce sick days
Recognition in the community for reducing resource usage and pollution
Reduce liability from worker safety issues

Satisfaction from helping to make the facility and community a better place
A proper green cleaning program should consist of procedures that maximize cleaning results while protecting cleaning workers and facility occupants. Proper training of cleaning staff is also critical to a successful program. Finally, products that have a more environmentally-friendly profile compared to traditional products are necessary. Green cleaning and other products that are considered ecologically-friendly are becoming increasingly available to consumers.