Green Chemicals That Aren't Certified

Often, cleaners look for third-party certifications when verifying green attributes for chemicals. Certifying bodies have made green product selection much easier, but purchasers should also be aware that there are some chemicals that don’t qualify for certification and are still a necessity. Currently, no program exists for specialty chemicals such as graffiti removers, disinfectants and furniture polish.

In situations where green is a goal, but there are no third-party standards or certification programs available, cleaning purchasers should identify products based on basic green principals. Compare products to one another to determine which is better for both building occupants and the environment. Also, evaluate which products last longer, use less energy and those that come in concentrated form, which contribute to sustainability because it uses less packaging.