Just Exactly What Do They Mean by Green?
As a chemical solutions manufacturing enterprise, Bridgepoint Systems has certainly paid attention to the development and growth of the so-called "green movement." However, the idea that our company must manufacture solutions in a manner that takes into consideration the impact, or "environmental footprint" of the ingredients we use, the manufacturing and waste disposal techniques we employ, and the use of the solutions in final application is not a new idea to our company. We have been practicing many of the common sense applications of the "green movement" since our company's inception in 1972.
We believe that green is a process, not just a new ingredient in a cleaning solution. Cleaning green recognizes the connectivity of the entire cleaning process, including the cleaning technician him/herself.
One of the questions you should be asking yourself, and educating your customers about is this: "what does green really mean?" There are at least eight ways that we see "green" could be measured when you are looking at the impact of cleaning chemical solutions on the world around us.
- Outdoor environmental impact and footprint - Are the cleaning solutions rapidly biodegradable? What impact does it have on the environment to access the raw ingredients that make up those cleaning solutions?
- Indoor environmental quality - The cleaning green process should not only improve the appearance of the surface being cleaned, it should also improve the environmental quality by removing soil, allergens, pollutants, contaminants, and particles from the indoor environment. It should do this without the overuse of the "green cleaning" solutions.
- Sustainability and the use of renewable resources - What are the sources for the ingredients that make up the "green cleaning" solutions? Many surfactants and most solvents are derived from petroleum oil - a limited resource that requires environmental impact to extract or pump. We now have safer and effective cleaning detergents that are comprised of surfactants derived from plants and seeds. These are renewable resources that can be sustained over a long period of time. However, there are still some surfactants that are considered green even though their source is not readily renewable, simply because they are from a natural environment.
- Packaging and recycling issues - Are the cleaning solutions packaged in containers (bottles and boxes)which can easily and readily be recycled? Does the company using those solutions take the time and effort to make sure they are recycled rather than ending up in landfills? How much recycled material is used to make the bottle and box in the first place?
- Reducing use of resources - The more concentrated the cleaning solution is, the less resources are used to transport it from the manufacturer to the user. Concentration and dilution rates are critical parts of the cleaning green process. Generally, the less cleaning solution we have to use, the better.
- Health impact upon the occupants of the home or business, as well as the cleaning technician themselves - Are the cleaning solutions safer to use and non-toxic? Do they contribute to issues of those who are chemically sensitive with strong fragrances or dyes? What about the impact on the cleaning technician who is exposed to that cleaning solution day in and day out?
- Impact of the "new" green chemistry upon the construction and texture of the surface being cleaned - If these "green" cleaning solutions truly are "new" technology, how do we know what their impact is on the surface being cleaned? Traditional cleaning solutions have been used on carpets, hard floors, countertops, bathroom fixtures and more for years and years. Should we just assume that a new chemical does not have any effect on the construction and texture of those surfaces?
- Cleaning effectiveness - This may well be the most important measurement of whether the solution is truly "green." If cleaning is defined as the "proper removal, collection, and disposal of unwanted matter from a surface or environment," then cleaning itself is a "green process." We want to make sure it breaks down, dissolves, emulsifies, and allows for complete removal of the soils, allergens, particulates, contaminants, and pollutants from the surface being cleaned. If a cleaning technician is trying to clean an extremely soiled surface, and the "green" cleaning solution is not effectively doing it, then the natural tendency is to use more of the cleaning solution. This can lead to the overuse or misuse of the "green" cleaning chemical. A build up of "plant or seed derived" surfactants on a surface being applied and not extracted, can lead to a "mold farm" of left behind surfactants, certainly not a "green cleaning" principle.
It does not take a whole lot of education to realize this concept of "green cleaning" is more complex than just switching ingredients in a chemical. There are all kinds of cleaning product "certification programs" out there for "green" chemicals. However, there is no program that takes into account all eight of these dynamics. Many of the rules and standards within these programs actually conflict with each other. There are systems which evaluate the cleaning procedures as part of the "green cleaning" process that do not measure in any way whether the procedures and chemistry actually work!
Cleaning green puts just as much emphasis upon the process and the procedures and the overall dedication of the cleaning technicians and the cleaning company as it does on the cleaning solution itself. To market green cleaning any other way to the consumer is only going to contribute to a hugely potential of "false security." As Dr. Michael Berry has stated, doing the right thing also needs to become doing the rational thing."
So if your company decides to market and offer this to your cleaning customers, consider the idea of marketing "cleaning green" rather than just "green cleaning." You'll be more truthful in your approach and educate the customer at the same time. With Bridgepoint Green Balance Carpet Cleaning Chemicals, and the cleaning green process principles that go along with them, you'll have everything you need. The best part is that you can rest assured these cleaning solutions actually work. Not just because we said so in a magazine ad. They have been independently tested for cleaning effectiveness. They have been independently tested to make sure they have no negative impact upon the construction or texture of the carpet. They have been independently verified to ensure they are not excessively alkaline in nature. And the have been independently tested to make sure they keep the surface cleaner longer by not contributing to rapid re-soiling. They contain surfactants that are readily biodegradable. Perhaps best of all, they contain no solvents (no intentionally added glycol ethers, terpenes, alcohol).
Our Commitment to "Green" As An Operational Process
The green cleaning process includes a commitment on the part of your company to recognize the systematic approach to green cleaning.
- Our manufacturing facility is committed to best practices to minimize waste, maximize recycling and the conservation of natural resources, and to minimize the environmental footprint as a result of the chemical manufacturing process, as well as the daily operations of your company or organization.
- Our company is committed to the technical education of our employees as to what the best practices are for maintaining an environmentally conscious manufacturing facility.
- Our company has made a commitment to the proper operation and maintenance of its manufacturing equipment, tools, and vehicle fleet.
- Our company had made a commitment to meet or exceed all local, state, or federal regulations for the safe and efficient operation of our facility.
- Our company has made a commitment to work side by side with our professional cleaning customers to educate the carpet consumer about the importance of cleaning in accordance with cleaning frequencies recommended by the carpet manufacturer, and as outlined in cleaning industry standards developed with the input of representatives from the United States Environmental Protection Agency. It recognizes that a proper commitment to green balance requires that the carpet not be allowed to deteriorate to the point that green cleaning products can not adequately remove and extract the build up of soil and pollutants from the carpet. Our facility makes the same commitment to cleaning frequencies.
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