Introduction

Green Cleaning plays a major role in not only the janitorial industry but also in facilities management. Green Seal, an independent, non-profit Washington, D.C.-based testing organization, has emerged as the cleaning industry's most widely recognized product certification standard. Earning the Seal - or having proof of meeting its criteria - is now widely considered a prerequisite for product consideration for many agencies and buildings. By using Green Seal products, we know that our customers and employees are in a healthier environment.

Criteria/Definition

Green Seal criteria is specific. Requirements for cleaning chemicals are technical and address, among other things, toxicity, biodegradability, fragrances, concentration and even user training. Paper towels and napkins, for example, must contain 100 percent recovered materials, 40 percent of that in the form of post-consumer material by weight.

Green Seal certification has become the de facto industry standard for green purchasing, in part because it was the first organization to set a high standard for numerous environmentally preferable cleaning products. Because the designation carries weight with purchasers, many manufacturers seek certification to use in their marketing messages.

Benefits

Today, the nation's 441,213 federally owned buildings have been among the frontrunners in green adoption. Green cleaning and other aspects of sustainable building operations reduce energy use, reduce water use and more.