Green Certification: Green Seal Reports Cooperation; Develops Stakeholders Group

Green Seal Inc., Washington, D.C., is currently creating a standard for green certification of cleaning firms and in-house cleaning departments (see “Guaranteed Green,” in the May issue of Contracting Profits) and wants to set the record straight that they are not in competition with other efforts to green the cleaning industry.

“Numerous consultants, educators and/or leaders in the cleaning industry have joined in support of standards for greening the processes and products used to make indoor environments clean and healthy,” says Arthur Weissman, Ph.D., president and CEO of Green Seal, in a news release. “Many organizations, along with Green Seal, clearly believe that healthful, environmentally responsible cleaning is critical to the future welfare of the cleaning sector and society, and that our collective expertise should be put to work toward this shared goal.”

Green Seal intends to work cooperatively with all knowledgeable members of the marketplace in developing its green cleaning standard through a stakeholder input process.

Approximately 50 stakeholders — representing chemical, equipment, and supply manufacturers; building service contractors; consultants; trade associations; government agencies; institutional end users; public interest groups; and academia — have volunteered to participate actively in developing Green Seal’s green cleaning standard. These stakeholders will be part of a group that will provide frequent feedback and expertise to the research team developing the standard.

The process for developing standards is well-defined and the handling of stakeholder input will be even-handed and objective, says Weissman.

On June 17, Nevada became the second state, after Washington, to pass a law requiring all buildings constructed with state money to meet the Washington D.C.-based U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards. Gov. Kenny Guinn signed into law Assembly Bill 3 that requires all state-funded projects meet the green requirements.

Many cities have recently supported LEED as well. On June 21, Phoenix adopted green-building guidelines for new facilities. Starting in 2006, all new buildings will be built to meet basic LEED certification. Meanwhile, Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson passed an executive order that all future city-owned buildings meet LEED standards.

Building service contractors can help building owners achieve certification through green cleaning, recycling and other environmentally responsible cleaning methods.

Coverall Cleaning Concepts, Boca Raton, Fla., was named one of the largest Multi-Unit Franchisors by California’s Area Developer Magazine. The distinction recognizes the company’s franchise growth and expansion. Coverall was also recently was awarded an International Stevie Award for “Best Support Organization” at the International Business Awards.

Steve Swigart, president of Spartan Chemical Co., Inc., Maumee, Ohio, was awarded a “Green Cleaning Champion” plaque by Steve Ashkin, president of the Ashkin Group, Bloomington, Ind., for Spartan’s outstanding contributions in the green cleaning movement.

The company manufactures a line of environmentally preferable products, is a sponsor of Green Seal’s effort to develop an environmental standard for green cleaning services, and is a member of the U.S. Green Building Council.

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger removed $3 million from the state budget that was intended to fund 30 or more jobs to enforce California’s minimum wage and overtime laws.

The extra money approved by the Legislature would have targeted enforcement in five specific areas of the state economy, including janitorial services, where minimum wage and overtime violations are common.