CM/Spotlight: Sustainability Sustainability As A Mainstay From niche market to norm, why green will be commonplace in the future. By: Aaron Baunee, Associate editor T The green cleaning and sustainability movements have made leaps and bounds in the past decade. Once a two-lane road divided by a median of ter-minology discrepancy, green cleaning and sus-tainability have merged and become interchange-able in their meaning for the JanSan industry. The path environmentally preferable cleaning and maintenance strategies have taken seems logical through hindsight, and if the past is any indicator of the future, green cleaning will prove sustainable — it is here for the long haul. Green Is Sustainable As Paul Coty, who is director of sales and market-ing for Soy Technologies LLC, asserts, the future of green is sustainability. “The use of renewable resources will drive the future innovations in this field,” states Coty. “Our mastery in imitating natural process will be replaced by our understanding and utilization of the power that already exists in nature. Our desire to create new molecules will be replaced by the realization that the power of the natural far exceeds our ability to imitate or enhance it.” The current trend of manufacturers creating new products with plant-based formulations is likely to continue. And, as more realize the benefits of using less taxing means to achieve health and cleanliness goals, the demands for all-natural, safe, sustain-able products will grow exponentially. “While I do feel and sense that there has been an initial hysteria, I donʼt think that the green move-ment or the awareness of the impact we are hav-ing on the Earth will wane anytime soon,” notes Doug Phillips, director of information technology (IT) and web media for Vital Technologies Inc. “Children are now taught at an early age about environmental concerns and [they are] much more aware than even many adults today.” Sustainability is about more than just innovative chemical formulations, it is also contingent on equipment that complements the characteristics of sustainable chemicals. “Many current vacuum products fit into the green movement by providing lower sound levels and improving indoor air quality through better fil-tration and better dust containment,” says Bob Abrams, product manager of vacuum products for Nilfisk-Advance Inc. Some equipment, such as autoscrubbers and sprayers that utilize electrolyzed water and require no cleaning chemicals at all, can be con-sidered trailblazing pioneers. “One genuine breakthrough is [electrolyzed water], a versatile cleaner that transforms tap water into a powerful cleaner for ideal use on glass, stainless steel, wood, stone and marble as well as carpet and clothing,” asserts Chris Deets, marketing director for Activeion Cleaning Photo courtesy of Rubbermaid Commercial Products for more info Visit www.cmmonline.com and type in search keyword: Sustainability . For more information on related products, visit www.cmmonline.com , select SUPPLIER SEARCH from the main navigation bar, and enter keyword: Green Cleaning . Today, facilities are throwing away older means of doing business and adopting sustainable practices instead. 24 CM/Cleaning & Maintenance Management ® • June 2009
CMM – Archives Jun 2009: 24
