Regardless of its publicity, I am hearing from numerous readers that there is still a lot of confusion out there in regards to “green” and what it really means. I recently spoke with one reader in particular who is required by state law to purchase green products in an effort to minimize their environmental impact, but he is struggling to define what a green product is.

He argues that the regulations are pushing end users to purchase green-certified products when there are so many more options if permitted to strictly practice environmentally preferable purchasing instead. What is the difference? One is certified by a third-party organization and the other may or may not be certified, but claims to meet environmental standards. His argument is that both promote sustainability and don’t limit cleaning options for the end user.

The argument is a good one, but buyers should proceed with caution. Although many manufacturer environmental claims are accurate, for every true claim there is another that lacks proof or is outright fraudulent. Cleaning managers are well advised to evaluate material safety data sheets (MSDS) and compare products prior to purchasing.

One benefit to certification is that this legwork is done for you. Certified products must meet strict requirements and are approved by an unbiased third party, giving claims more clout.

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In response to reader requests for more information targeting management topics, CleanLink has just released Management Minute, daily podcasts on the business of cleaning. These one-minute podcasts feature management tips from editors who know and understand the jan/san industry and the demands of upper management. To listen, visit www.CleanLink.com/ManagementMinute.




POSTED ON: 8/1/2008