Creating a Green Office and Making It Work: 5 Practices and 8 Steps to Healthy (and Clean) Building

Cleaning green in your office building is key to ensuring your building occupants are working at their highest productivity level.

Currently 1 out of 13 people have asthma, and the rate continues to increase. This is partly because indoor air contaminants can reach levels as high as 100 times higher than what is acceptable for outdoor air! Compound this with the fact that today we spend nearly 90 percent of our time indoors. This combination leads to a costly absenteeism rate in our work places. The estimated productivity loss and health care costs associated with our indoor air quality is about $100 billion annually.

After construction is complete and a building comes to equilibrium, the HVAC system has been balanced, and materials from construction have off-gassed, the single greatest and most easily controllable action for a the healthy and safe building environment is housekeeping and maintenance.

With today's focus on sustainability and reducing costs, our buildings, including our homes, have become more energy-efficient (a.k.a., air tight). This results in a higher concentration of chemicals that become trapped in our working and living spaces. How we clean and with what we clean has a direct impact on our indoor environmental conditions.

There are many reasons to be concerned with worker hazards and the negative impact on people who are around these harsh cleaning chemicals. Traditional petrochemical based cleaning products can be dangerous to use and can greatly affect our indoor air quality with harsh alkalis and acids, particulates, glycol ethers, carcinogens, and petroleum distillates. These irritating and toxic fumes extend to our employees, customers, guests, and building occupants. Furthermore there are additional costs associated with using these products such as the disposal of hazardous waste, worker liability, and regulatory reporting.

Green cleaning is a combination of planning and using contemporary cleaning methods. Understanding how green cleaning is different and implementing the appropriate cleaning techniques goes a long way in achieving the desired result.

The top five green cleaning practices to implement to ensure a healthier indoor environment are:

Using color coded microfiber cloths help to improve health and safety of building occupants by preventing cross-contamination. When handled properly these can be used for a very long time. Hence these cloths ultimately reduces waste.
Selecting green janitorial chemicals that are leveraging the latest in cleaning technology. Such as establishing by a "spray and rotate" technique for enzymatic cleaners rather than using the traditional "spray and wipe" approach. Also taking advantage of products that are rinse free will enable you to benefit from the reduced labor costs. Selecting third-party certified products is an important piece of an effective green housekeeping program.
Taking full advantage of chemical management systems with green janitorial chemicals will go a long way to eliminate exposure to harsh chemicals, reduce costs through inventory optimization, and minimize waste.
Implementing an infection control plan. Disinfectants are not, and cannot be, environmentally friendly because they are designed to "kill" everything, similar to RoundUp weed control. There are ways, however, to minimize the impact. For example, selecting a pH neutral, EPA registered disinfectant product combined with targeting it only for bacterial hot zones will leave the smallest possible impact on the environment while still protecting the health of building occupants.
Developing and implementing an indoor air quality prevention plan.

A key aspect to a successful green cleaning program is to have an indoor air quality prevention plan. This is also a key aspect in preparing for LEED certification. Even if you are not seeking certification, these practices prove to be valuable for enhancing building operations. There are eight steps to planning and implementing an effective indoor air quality prevention plan. Implementing these eight steps will make the difference in ensuring the health and safety of your staff.

Set building policy and goalsEnsure management commitment to the pollution prevention planComplete a baseline study to record your current practicesIdentify your opportunities and optionsRank the optionsEstablish a green cleaning training programImplement and evaluateStart over and set new goals

With proper planning, critical thinking, product testing, and problem solving there are solutions that can be found to ensure you have and maintain a safe, healthy and clean workspace. So consider: What do you clean? How can you make it greener than your current practices?

Rae Ann Dougherty, President of Green Cleaning Products LLC, invites you to learn the why and how of greening your office, commercial, industrial, and institutional facilities http://greencleaningproductsllc.com/commercial-green-clean/. At the same time, get your free gift by subscribing to the information packed Green Living News at http://greencleaningproductsllc.com/newsletter-signup/

(c) Copyright - Rae Ann Dougherty. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

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Green Janitorial Chemicals - 7 Shocking Facts to Consider for Protecting Your Building Occupants

Cleaning yields a clean surface, right? Nope, not necessarily. If you use the traditional, conventional cleaners you may have created an even greater issue. Although the surfaces may be free from dirt and grime, they may not be free from toxins that result from the petrochemical based cleaning products used. It is for this reason that it is so important to ensure only green janitorial chemicals and supplies are used in your facility.

Ever since a 1984 World Health Organization report suggested up to 30 percent of new and remodeled buildings worldwide may be linked to aliments and symptoms of sick building syndrome (SBS), there has is an ever-increasing awareness of what poor indoor air quality can do to building occupants and guests.

There are many more reasons to strive for a safe, green, clean result. Here are seven shocking facts that serve as additional reasons.

Indoor air pollution levels can be 100 times higher than outdoor air pollution levels, according to the EPA estimates!
Fewer than 200 of the 62,000 chemicals available since the Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA) was passed in 1979 have been tested for chronic impact on human health.
It takes only 26 seconds for a toxic chemical to get into our body! Chemicals enter into our body through inhalation, ingestion and absorption through our largest organ (our skin).
Asthma has increased in the last 20 years over 600 percent. Today, twenty (20) million people in the USA (including 6.1 million children) have asthma. Asthma accounts for more than 14 million outpatient clinic visits and near 2 million energy room visits.
The average person can be exposed 82,000 toxins to in their daily life. (Of the estimated 85,000 chemicals in the U.S. marketplace, only a small fraction of them have ever been tested for their chronic impacts to human health. While Europe has banned 1,100 chemicals from use in products, the U.S. has banned fewer than ten.)
Ever since the flu pandemic a couple of years ago, many different varieties and brands of antimicrobial soaps, cleaners, sanitizers, have been formulated and available. Unfortunately 275 of the ingredients in anti-microbials are classified as pesticides. US EPA classifies these active ingredients as pesticides because they are designed to KILL microbes.
Cancer rates have doubled since 1960. The cancer rate in 1900 was about 1 in 8,000, Today it is about 1 in 2 during a lifetime. Even with treatment many of these cancers are the cause of death.

Cleaning supplies and products are a huge industry. In fact about $14 Billion is spent each YEAR. For example, in a single state (California) it has been estimated that the following has been sold every single day of the year: 34 tons (or 68,000 pounds) of air fresheners; 74,000 tons (147 million pounds) of all-purpose cleaners, 109 tons (or 218,000 pounds) of toilet bowl cleaners, 102 tons (or 204,000 pounds) of glass cleaners (Source: California Air Resources Board). Recapping this is about the same volume as is contained in twenty-four (24) Olympic size swimming pools! If this is the volume of liquid cleaners sold in one state on one day, can you imagine how much is consumed in the entire country (USA)!

As a result of the demands generated by the end users (building owners and facility managers), new formulations ensure green janitorial chemicals and supplies have high efficacy and are becoming more cost-effective all of the time.

Rae Ann Dougherty, President of Green Cleaning Products LLC, invites you to learn the why and how of greening your office, commercial, industrial, and institutional facilities http://greencleaningproductsllc.com/commercial-green-clean/. At the same time, get your free gift by subscribing to the information packed Green Living News at http://greencleaningproductsllc.com/newsletter-signup/

(c) Copyright - Rae Ann Dougherty. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

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How to Know If Green Janitorial Chemicals Are Really Green: 4 EcoFriendly Certifications to Help You

Beware, listing "Biodegradable" on a green colored label does not make a product environmentally friendly! You want to be green but it is difficult to determine if you are limiting your impact on the environment or just buying another pretty label that the marketing department directed it to be green.

There are good reasons to use green janitorial chemicals and supplies. Indoor air quality that we live and work in is frequently worse than our outdoor air, especially of concern since most of us spend much more time indoors than outdoors. Additionally using non-toxic, environmentally friendly, green janitorial chemicals has been found to enhance health of the cleaning staff, as well as the building guests and occupants.

There are reliable certifications that you can use to select your green janitorial chemicals. While the logos may be simple, the environmental criteria behind them are tough. While not perfect, they are independent. Use these certifications as your guide. They are science based, rigorous, well-respected and have been around a while.

Look for the following four certifications. Each of these third-party reviewing bodies have developed and continue to maintain a strong standard for the products they evaluate.

Design for the Environment (DfE) is a US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) program, created in 1992. The EPA DfE program provides information regarding safer chemical formulations, as well as best environmental practices. It seeks to prevent pollution as well as the risk pollution presents to humans and the environment. Three main goals of DfE are to define best practices for the industry; promote green cleaning and recognizing safer consumer and industrial and institutional products through safer product labeling; and identify safer chemicals. DfE is unique in that testing happens not only after formulation, but also the individual ingredients are tested even before products are combined for the formulation. This provides an additional level of protection since the manufacturers cannot dilute otherwise harmful chemicals to disguise their existence.
EcoLogo is an eco-labeling scheme that was launched in 1988 and today is a part of the Environment Canada (Canada's equivalent to the US EPA) Environmental Choice Program. It was established to help identify products which are less harmful to the environment, including green janitorial chemicals. EcoLogo is one of oldest certification programs in the world. EcoLogo provides customers with the necessary assurance that the products and services bearing the EcoLogo logo are green and has been verified by a third-party auditor.
Green Seal is a US-based non-profit, third-party organization that began in 1989. The evaluation process is based on the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards for environmental labeling programs, ISO 14020 and ISO 14024. It takes into account a life cycle assessment approach by evaluating a product from the raw materials through the manufacturing process and ending with recycling or disposal. Having a Green Seal certification means that the product has passed post formulation tests and it works as well as others in its class.
European Eco with its eco label flower logo has been used throughout the European Union since 1992 to identify goods that meet strict scientific criteria for minimizing environmental impacts. This voluntary certification has proven to encourage businesses to market products, such as green janitorial chemicals and supplies, that are kinder to the environment. The criteria are agreed at European level and the label itself is only awarded after verification that the product meets high standards. Only the very best products, which are also kindest to the environment, are entitled to carry the European Eco label.

By setting standards and evaluating products, these certifications helps the consumer (public, corporate, entrepreneur, and consumer) to identify, trust, and buy environmentally preferable ("green") goods. In each case, green janitorial chemicals only become certified after a rigorous science-based evaluation by an independent third-party.

Beware of imposters. There are many in the market. Some are company owned, some are developed by industry associations, some are marketing ploys. Some are quite clever. (One of my favorite examples is the graphic of sea lion that was colored green!) Watchdog organizations have sued many of these imposters, but as buyers and users with limited time and a full slate of other responsibilities, you do not have the luxury to research this yourself. Seeking products with one of these four certifications for your green janitorial chemicals will streamline your busy schedule.

Rae Ann Dougherty, President of Green Cleaning Products LLC, invites you to learn green janitorial chemicals that have received these certifications at http://greencleaningproductsllc.com/commercial-green-clean/. At the same time, get your free gift by subscribing at http://greencleaningproductsllc.com/newsletter-signup/

(c) Copyright - Rae Ann Dougherty. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

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How Can Green Organic Solvents Improve My Business?

ByTimothy Byron

Organic solvents are becoming increasingly popular among a vast range of industry applications. Understanding the specific chemical and quality standards of environmentally-friendly cleaning suppliers will help organizations determine whether "going green" is the best choice for their business or not. The following information has been provided to explain the basic characteristics, facts, and potential advantages of choosing natural versus unnatural cleaning products. While organizational owners and leaders are certainly free to form their own personal opinions supporting or opposing environmental activism, organic solvents are also examined from a financial viewpoint that universally applies to all businesses.

Chemical Safety Monitoring To Avoid Recklessness

Cleaning with potent and industrial level strength products will most likely involve chemicals to get the job done exactly the way it is intended. Eco-friendly manufacturers openly acknowledge the inevitable need for chemical compounds, while providing alternative options to reduce devastating environmental, health, and safety hazards of toxic products. Often suggesting that businesses analyze the requirements of an application before jumping to toxic conclusions, genuine suppliers will assist customers with natural solutions when they are appropriate, and guide them toward safer chemical products when absolutely necessary.

Overcoming Legislative Chokeholds to Expand Productivity

The United States EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) is a federal agency devoted to protection of human health and the environment. Based on laws passed by the United States Congress, the EPA is responsible for writing and enforcing safety regulations as each chemical or procedure is phased-out due to high hazard risks. Often sporadic as new chemical research developments are made, businesses are commonly interrupted without notice by regulations applying to their daily established practices. It is important for industry leaders to understand the primary objective of the EPA is to enforce national safety, no matter what. Regardless of the amount of time or money a business has invested in stocking chemical products that were viewed as acceptable the day before, the moment the government proves it causes more harm than good, there is no option to dispute it. Suppliers of green organic solvents go above and beyond current mandated chemical precautions not only to create a clean global environment, but to protect organizations from fluctuating regulations guaranteed to put a dent in their overall profitability.

Successfully Replacing Hazardous Chemicals within All Industries

A common misconception of organic solvents is a lack of strength required for major manufacturing and maintenance use. Carefully monitoring levels of toxic chemicals used in industrial products does not mean utter and complete eradication. It is simply a strategy aimed to enhance smarter business decision-making, without compromising the quality or effectiveness of cleaning solutions.

Green organic solvents have proven to be a safe and successful replacement of hazardous chemicals within notoriously demanding industries such as manufacturing, military, pharmaceutical, nuclear power, and aerospace, just to name a few.

Industry leaders questioning the performance ability of organic solvents compared to chemically saturated products are provided answers, as well as information to assist the determination of green organic solvents as a financially practical or unrealistic business investment.

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Are Universities Researching Green Tech Milking the System for Multiyear Projects and Funding?

Well, I'm certainly not against green tech or alternative energy technologies, not in the least. Indeed, I believe that anytime you can do something more efficiently, and with less pollution it's a good thing. However, we've all heard that there can be too much of a good thing, and I believe that is happening now with the funding, subsidizing, and massive amounts of research dollars pouring into green technologies.

Worse, it appears that many University Research Departments are completely milking the system, and working for multiyear projects and continued funding, hoping it will go on indefinitely. The reality is it can't, we can't afford to keep funding research without breakthroughs. Often I will quiz a university researcher working on some sort of alternative energy project, and I'll ask him or her a question - they will tell me that they don't know the answer and they've never thought of that question, and that their funding is for a specific aspect of their research. I see this as an excuse.

As an entrepreneur this bothers me very much because I know if I want to stay in business and run my company, and not get broadsided by regulatory changes, or changes in the marketplace or with the competition for that matter, that I must know every single possible detail, and be able to answer every single question at the drop of a hat. If I can't do that, I will not succeed in the long run, and quite frankly I wouldn't be good enough to do what I'm doing.

It is hard for me to imagine that we don't hold academia and are university researchers to the same high standard as the marketplace holds entrepreneur's feet to the fire. In fact, maybe university researchers need more leeway to ask more questions, or they need to start thinking more like entrepreneurs, and take more notes, and learn more about their subject matter. The way I see it is if someone that knows nothing about their research, someone like me, can ask the question that they've never thought of, even though they spent 10 years researching that micro-niche in the scientific community, then something is wrong.

In fact, it seems to me that something is so wrong, that perhaps it shouldn't be my tax dollars paying for it. I am all for pure research, but I'd also like some results, and I want the very best researchers money can buy, not folks that are just trying to soak up money without performance. In the free marketplace if you don't perform you are out a business, and you go bankrupt. Entrepreneurs are therefore held to a higher standard, and forced to compete and perform. Shouldn't we expect the same from our university research departments? I think we should.

Lance Winslow is a retired Founder of a Nationwide Franchise Chain, and now runs the Online Think Tank. Lance Winslow believes writing 23,850 articles by July 4, 2011 is going to be difficult because all the letters on his keyboard are now worn off now..

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Will the Nuclear Disaster in Japan Help Spur Green Job Growth?

The devastating earthquake that hit Japan in March of 2011, has had terrible consequences for those whose lives have been turned upside down by the damage and devastation. Unfortunately, it's hard to predict earthquakes and natural disasters - it is even more difficult to predict the outcomes of these events until it is much too late. Although nuclear power technology is generally accepted as safe and necessary all over the world, the earthquake in Japan has strengthened the call by environmentalists and green lobbyists for more innovation and investment into green technology alternatives. And when you consider the ever-rising cost of oil, it is fair to predict that career opportunities in the field alternative energy and sustainable design will continue to grow steadily over the next 20 years.

All these things factor into this one question for those who are looking to join the job market, "Is a "green" career right for you?"

The answer may be simpler than you think and according to Greenjobready.com, it all comes down to finding a career in green technology that is a good match with your skills and abilities. If you are good with your hands, then you might be interested in becoming a wind turbine technician or a construction worker who specializes installing solar panels could be the right path for you. Maybe you have an interest in architecture or design and would like to develop environmentally friendly buildings and structures. If your strengths are in the creative arts - writing or graphic design, for example - then you might enjoy working in the marketing department of a green technology company or creating green information propaganda to word out there about innovations and trends in the green sector. There are more than 7,000 jobs available right now on green job boards across the internet.

Some other green jobs include work in: urban planning, product design; waste prevention strategies; sustainable landscape and garden design; green furniture building; heating, venting, and air conditioning technician (HVAC); or eco-fashion.

There are many colleges that have programs designed to prepare students to thrive in businesses whose mission is to promote environmentally friendly and energy-efficient products. If you are thinking about going back to school, consider degree programs that could play a role in the green revolution.

If a green career sounds like something you might be interested in. Go to a college search website today to find all of your options. You can search for colleges or schools by state, zip, or degree and are the most complete guide to the nations colleges, universities and online degrees.

US College Search has a wealth of resources for those entering the college search or to help you find an online college.

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President Obama's Green Energy Jobs

ByLeonard Wald

The Problem
President Obama has proposed opening up millions of jobs to replace some of the millions lost in the recession by pushing development in the field of green energy. This is an excellent proposal, if possible, since it would accomplish four desirable goals at the same time, namely:
Help make the transition from a fossil fuel based energy economy to a green energy economy in order to reduce carbon dioxide and other bad emissions.Start the U.S. on the road to a sustainable energy economy.Reduce or perhaps eliminate the chronic trade deficit the U.S. runs in the world economy by reducing its oil and gas imports.Provide the jobs the U.S. so desperately needs.

Several critics have stated that the President's proposal is only politics, since the green energy field cannot provide millions of jobs and dependence on green energy sources may not even be achievable at the present time. Let us investigate this proposal without the political polemic to see if it is a realistic goal.

The Requirements
In order to accomplish the President's job goals, we need to look for energy production options that have the following characteristics.
The energy production option should provide large numbers of jobs and yet not drive up the cost of the energy produced. Thus we are looking for a means of taking the money we normally would pay to the owners of oil and gas fields and pay it to US workers. Such an option, would allow us to pay no more for the energy and have the money paid go to American workers.
The programs the government supports must have job leverage-i.e., the money the government provides will produce jobs, but it will also encourage investors to provide new money that will produce even more jobs. Without leverage, millions of jobs requires billions of dollars which the US currently can't afford
The jobs produced should be free from job replacement by computers and robots. In order for this to happen, working with humans must be the best to operate.
It should be possible for the chosen energy option to enter into the job production phase as soon as possible. We must think of results showing:
Political near term-1 1/2 years from now to be useful for the next election.
Near term-5 years from now.
Long term-10 years from now.
In order to accomplish the President's green energy goals, we need to look for energy production options that have the following critical features, namely, the energy must be:
Plentiful enough to start covering the nation's base load (electricity) needs in the near term and make fuels for portable power plants (autos, trucks and aircraft) that can replace fossil fuels in the long term as they peak out.Safe and free from carbon dioxide and other pollutant production.Price competitive with fossil fuels ($0.08-0.12/KWH), so it can start replacing fossil fuels now, and later, as fossil fuels peak out, replace them.Able to use the existing energy distribution systems.

Potential Solutions
Several green energy options have been proposed, namely:
Nuclear fission reactors of a modified and improved design.Land based wind turbines.Shore based wave generators.Land based solar cells and/or solar thermal generators.Green fuels to replace fossil fuels such as alcohol and oil from food crops, waste wood, kelp and algae.Land based deep thermal wells.Ocean based wind turbines, wave generators and solar cells.

Let us explore each green energy option in sequence and match it to our list of requirements.

Nuclear Fission.A nuclear fission reactor is competitive in cost because the energy is as concentrated as is that from fossil fuels, so a relatively small amount of equipment is needed to exploit it. Such reactors are currently being used for base load (Load Factor

Green Innovation or Just More Hype?

Over the years, we've heard so much green innovation hype, that many people have just turned it all off. In fact, I think they've gotten to the point where they don't believe any of it, just accept all of it, or are tired of thinking about it. Am I speaking for myself? In some regards yes, but more or less this is an observation. It seems these days with all the hype for alternative energy green technology, that if anyone wishes to get any play in the media they have to shout above everyone else. Meaning they have to turn the hype on to "Turbo" mode.

Indeed, I've seen a lot of bull, a lot of projects that are merely wasting government funds or are "green-global-warming-religion" based and not viable. As the coordinator for a think tank I see 100s of business plans of pie-in-the-sky concepts that are inefficient, unviable, and merely capitalizing on the green theme, and thus, deplore the money wasted on bogus nonsense. And yes, I've seen some brilliant project ideas also, but they are far and few between of course.

The other day, I was talking to a gentleman who is an inventor and innovator in clean energy technology. He was explained to me his wonderful offshore wind generation designs. He told me that due to the fact that it was offshore quite a few miles, the wind was more constant, and therefore it could produce reliable energy. I believe he spoke of a 40% improvement in efficiency. However, what does 40% really mean?

Does he mean 40% of the average of all wind turbine generators? Or does he mean 40% more efficient than the wind turbine generators in his State of Massachusetts? Does he mean that it produces 40% more energy than other wind generators of a different type put into the same location? You see, when innovators, entrepreneurs, and alternative energy startup companies start throwing around numbers about efficiency, people ought to ask questions. I'd like to use this as another example of some of the hype in green innovation that I've noted over the last good many years.

Now then, it's the same type of hype which causes citizens who read the newspaper to fall head over heels for the future of clean energy. The reality is that all of these green innovators hype their efficiency, but when push comes to shove their innovations just can't cut the mustard. If someone starts making claims about percentages, then maybe it's time we asked for empirical evidence from their prototypes. If they say they have not completed a prototype yet, then all the numbers they spout off are highly irrelevant, and we can't take them seriously. Indeed I hope you will please consider all this and think on it.

Lance Winslow is a retired Founder of a Nationwide Franchise Chain, and now runs the Online Think Tank. Lance Winslow believes writing 24,300 articles will be difficult because all the letters on his keyboard are now worn off now..

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Green Degreasers: A Good Choice for Automotive Part Refinishing

ByTimothy Byron

Cleaning solvents are used heavily among industries dealing with parts or equipment. Automotive refinishing businesses apply solutions to strip all grime and dirt off of parts before repainting. The environment has been one of the largest concerns when using strong chemicals. They release toxin s into the air or soil if not disposed of properly.

Worker safety is another concern due to the chemicals entering the skin or being inhaled. A worker could experience skin irritation when in direct contact with solvents or develop internal health problems from vapor inhalation. These concerns have led to the development of green or eco-friendly cleaners. Degreasers are a necessity for many industrial processes and make using newer products even safer. Green degreasers have been designed to provide the same results without the extensive risks accompanying common hazardous cleaners.

How Does an Industrial Degreaser Fit Into the Motor Cleaning Process?

An industrial degreaser must be used any time an engine or other automotive part is painted. Buildup prevents the paint from adhering to the metal and from being applied evenly. Dried paint will flake off if cleaning is not performed prior to painting. Engine degreasing is not done all at once. It is a multi-step process where degreasing is performed more than once for a complete clean. The first application involves the entire engine so cleaning can be done on the warm parts. Parts are then removed and the engine is cleaned again. After degreasing has been completed, paint can be applied to the engine's metal surface.

Run the engine until it is warm before applying the industrial degreaser to necessary parts. A plastic bag secured by tape should be used to cover the air intake duct and the distributor cap. This prevents water from getting into the intake opening. The intake is a hose with one end entirely open or covered with a screen.

A distributor cap consists of thick rubber wires leading to each spark plug. It will consist of heavy plastic, have a round shape, and be made up of five to nine wires depending on the type of motor. Any part that could suffer from water saturation must be covered. Use a spray degreaser to commence cleaning to make sure it does not touch hoses and wires. The chemical should be left on for around fifteen minutes to allow for grease penetration.

A wire brush may be used to loosen extensive buildup areas. Rinse the solvent using a strong stream of water such as that provided by a power washer. The engine compartment will have to be taken apart for internal cleaning. This involves many additional steps including hose detachment, wire removal, and spot cleaning.

A traditional degreaser can be dangerous if used during this process. It is performed in a more open environment where chemicals can easily flow through the air. Anyone working in the automotive industry can benefit from a green degreaser because compound release is minimal and the products are easy to dispose. They pose no harm to the environment, yet provide the same great cleaning power as chemicals commonly applied to parts cleaning.

Individuals in the automotive refinishing business must use an industrial degreaser to clean motors. A green degreaser can be substituted to reduce environmental and operator harm.

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Green Solvents: Why Ignoring These Cleaners Is a Bad Idea

ByTimothy Byron

The disposal of industrial cleaning waste can be expensive to a business. It is a necessary measure required by many industries dealing in parts, machinery, and refinishing processes. Green products are one way to reduce the overall cost of disposal when using cleaners in a business environment. These solvents do not produce the extremely hazardous byproducts businesses struggle to safely take care of after usage. Used solvents are considered to be a hazardous material with special handling specifications.

The disposal instructions can be found on the container housing the solvent. Non-toxic cleaners simplify the disposal process and pose less harm to workers. Unsafe chemicals can seep into the soil, enter the atmosphere, and make their way into significant waterways. This can lead to plant, water, and air contamination directly affecting all living life on the planet. While industrial cleaners are necessary for many processes, green solvents are available to reduce the hazards they incur on the environment.

Industrial Solvent: Advantages of Choosing Eco-Friendly Cleaners

Industrial solvents are used by various industries to clean oil, dirt, grime, and other particles off surfaces. These particles attach to the cleaning agent for quick and easy removal. Businesses have relied on them for many years to complete processes such as painting or equipment cleaning. The Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, has continually added regulations to reduce the release of vapors and hazardous byproducts.

Many companies using traditional substances are reluctant to change over to safer chemicals. They have developed dependable relationships with their suppliers to achieve lower pricing and familiarity with their business. These solvents have a proven performance record. Business owners often fear organic products will not be able to produce the same results. Organic cleaning providers can offer the same great business relationship, in addition to equaling the performance of the regular brand substances. For those companies still debating the switch, it can be worthwhile to continue current supplier relationships while trying out an equivalent non-toxic product.

A business must consider the costs associated with using toxic chemicals for cleaning. They require increased handling precaution, pose immense risks to employees, are sometimes highly flammable, and leave behind a large mess. Biodegradable organic substances pose no harm to the environment. They can drastically decrease associated clean-up costs and reduce employee health risks. Not all products are completely safe during handling because some emit their own vapors called Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs); however, many effective cleaners are available with low vapor release counts.

Safer cleaners offer multiple advantages to a business other than having less expensive disposal. Using green solvents allows a company to avoid dealing with mandatory EPA switches resulting from chemical bans. These chemicals do not cause the large amount of corrosion often seen with traditional solvents. They have been proven to preserve parts longer than toxic cleaners. Toxic chemical exposure is one of the leading causes for employee health problems. By eliminating this risk, a business can cut down insurance costs and on complications caused by development of long-term health conditions. Breakthrough solvents have been made available to perform equivalent cleaning and offer these among many other benefits to industrial facilities.

Companies like to stick with a working industrial solvent, but in doing so pay more than what is required for reliable cleaning. Green solvents can reduce clean-up, usage, and purchasing expenses.

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