Virtual Trade Show To Highlight Green Cleaning

Contracting Profits, along with its sister publications Sanitary Maintenance and Housekeeping Solutions, will host the CleaningGreen Virtual Expo & Conference on May 11, 2010. The free, live online event will provide building service contractors, jan/san distributors, in-house service providers and facility executives with access to industry experts and suppliers that focus on green cleaning in the commercial cleaning market — without having to leave their office.

Like a brick-and-mortar event, speakers and exhibitors will inform, interact and network with attendees. However, unlike a traditional trade show, the interaction is conducted via Webcasts, scheduled group chats and message boards.

The CleaningGreen Expo & Conference's exhibit hall will feature virtual booths of green cleaning manufacturers who can engage with attendees using live, online chat for private conversations. At the booths, attendees can also view demonstrations of the newest products and access additional product information.

Throughout the day, five education sessions will be held covering current, critical green issues, including sustainability, green cleaning legislation, new product certifications, green attributes of day cleaning, and exploring the partnership end users can forge with their distributors to create green programs.

The show also features a resource library where attendees can download case studies, articles and other important information. The lounge area will allow BSCs to network and share information with colleagues as well as vendors.

Registration is open now at www.cleanlink.com/cleaninggreenexpo. Following the live event on May 11, the show will be archived on www.cleanlink.com.

CRI Makes Changes To Seal of Approval Program

The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI), Dalton, Ga., has added a pet odor and stain category to its Seal of Approval (SOA) testing and certification program and also expanded its existing extractors and deep-cleaning systems testing programs.

The new product category protocol will test products marketed specifically for pet stain and odor removal on their ability to remove tracked-in dirt, urine, feces and vomit stains, as well as related odors. To receive the SOA for combating malodors, products must perform three times better than plain water when tested 72 hours after initial cleaning. For the staining component of the testing, products must perform equal to or better than plain water, without causing change in the carpet's color or encouraging accelerated resoiling.

As for changes to its other programs, CRI has added a Platinum level of performance for the Extractors and Deep-Cleaning Systems programs. This level is reserved for equipment or equipment plus cleaning solution combinations that remove 90 percent or more of available soil.

CRI also added an Energy Efficiency Rating for Vacuums option for the SOA Vacuum testing program, which evaluates a vacuum's energy use in relation to its cleaning effectiveness. Switching from low-efficiency to high-efficiency vacuums could significantly lower energy consumption per each vacuum used, resulting in cost savings.

Iowa Considering Green Cleaning Legislation In Schools

Iowa is taking steps to be the next state to mandate green cleaning in schools. Under a bill that passed the Iowa House, schools would be required to at least conduct an assessment regarding the use of environmentally preferable cleaning products to see if they would result in higher cleaning costs. Any district that hasn't opted out of the law would have to use the products beginning July 1, 2012.

The bill now heads to the Senate for further consideration. The state already has similar rules for state government buildings.

EcoLogo Launches Hand Sanitizer Certification

EcoLogo has launched its first standard for hand sanitizers (also known as instant hand antiseptic products). The standard is designed to help purchasers and end users identify products with minimal environmental and health impacts. To receive certification, products must meet the minimum biobased content standards set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) BioPreferred program.

IN BRIEF

Sturtevant, Wis.-based JohnsonDiversey, Inc. has officially changed its name to Diversey Inc.

Compass Group North America, Charlotte, N.C., announced the integration of Harwood Heights, Ill.-based KIMCO Facilities Co. and Eurest Services USA, Wayne, Pa., under the Eurest Services brand banner. The combination of KIMCO and Eurest Services provides expanded geographic reach for facilities soft support and managed services, making it one of the largest providers in the areas served. John Barrett, former CEO of KIMCO, has been named president of Eurest Services USA.

Compass Group Canada, Toronto, Ontario, completed its acquisition of The Hurley Group, Toronto. Through the acquisition, The Hurley Group becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of Compass Group Canada. The company's business model will be maintained and it will run as a separate entity under Compass Group Canada's organizational structure. The Hurley Group's former president J. Michael Horgan was appointed Chairman of the Board and former COO Philippe D. Mack was named CEO of The Hurley Group.

Kimberly-Clark Corp., Dallas, has set up a global employee donation matching program for Haiti relief efforts and is also sending product donations.

St. Louis-based Mitch Murch Maintenance Management (4M) successfully passed the Home Office Audit and received The Metro Indianapolis Coalition for Construction Safety Inc. (MICCS) certification.

The Soap and Detergent Association (SDA) announced that it will change its name to the American Cleaning Institute (ACI) in June 2010.

SCA Tissue, Philadelphia, is supporting relief efforts for the earthquake in Haiti by donating personal care products. It will also generate funds through an employee donation and company matching gift program.