Solutions. “In fact, [this technology] can replace up to 47 general-purpose chemical cleaners.” Mandates And Regulations Additionally, sustainabilityʼs future success will be heavily assisted by an increase in government regulations and legislation mandating its implementation and practice. “Especially now that we have a green-ori-ented President Obama, I am of the opinion that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and other governmental organizations will place greater emphasis, and perhaps even mandate that all clean-ing chemicals and practices have the least amount of environmental impact as possi-ble,” notes Phillips. “Cleaning practices will become much more conscious of the envi-ronmental impact and possibly mandated by local governments to ensure that clean-ing professionals are held to the highest environmental standards.” Several municipalities have begun explor-ing the possibility of adopting more sustain-able practices — including green cleaning — without being mandated to do so. One example is the proposed legislation in East Lansing, Michigan, to create a green building policy that requires new businesses that receive funding from eco-nomic development programs to meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification standards. Coty adds, “While green certifications will continue to have great importance to the green cleaning movement, the use of gov-ernment mandates will be limited to regula-tion of government cleaning requirements. This will include areas such as schools and other public institutions.” This trend is already visible through recent legislation mandating green clean-ing in schools in the states of New York, Illinois, Missouri, Maine and Maryland. Moreover, Coty reports that green clean-ing will not only remain profitable, but the demand will also continue to drive the dis-covery of new and more efficient chemistries and techniques that will ensure healthy growth. The more we understand about our impact on the environment, the more inclined we are to lessen our ecological foot-print — that is the essence of sustainability. “Not only is green cleaning relevant for human society but for virtually all forms of life throughout the global ecosystem,” pro-claims Phillips. “The importance of green cleaning by specifically limiting the use of toxic chemicals is critical to the health of our waterways, soil and all the organ-isms that come into contact with chemical run-off.” According to Stephen Ashkin, president of The Ashkin Group LLC, sustainability is an idea whose time has come. The world is not going back to its old ways. We are on a green path that cannot be reversed. CM V i t a l Technologies, Vital Te T e c h n o l o g i e s , Inc.– I n c . – A G r e e n C o m p a n y Y o u Green Company You Can C a n B Believe e l i e v e I In! n ! EPA A registered disinfectant, odor and d mold remover ® Order Now! at www.vitaloxide.com Circle Product Information no. 221 on page 32 • Sanitizes both hard surface and carpets • Oxygen power prevents development of resistant bacteria • NSF Approved – use on food surfaces without rinsing • 100% Biodegradable • Effective against E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Norovirus, Legionella pneumophilia and more! Circle Product Information no. 220 on page 32 www.cmmonline.com 25
CMM – Archives Jun 2009: 25
