Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 18th April 2024 Issue no. 1110
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Steady stream of biobased products are headed our way in 2012
According to Jacquie Ottman of J. Ottman Consulting in New York, a steady stream of biobased products-everything from compostable dinnerware and sugarcane soft drink bottles, to commercial cleaning chemicals made from agricultural materials-is headed our way in 2012.
Some of this is because of the public's greater concerns about global climate change and the excessive use of natural resources.
In addition, a federal BioPreferred programme created by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) is designed to help stimulate 'Green' jobs, assist rural economies, and help wean the US off of foreign oil. As part of the programme, the USDA unveiled a BioPreferred product label last year to help specifiers identify products that meet specific criteria as to biobased content.
"Because they have become more cost and performance effective, we have seen a definite growth in biobased cleaning products," says Mike Sawchuk, Vice President and General Manager of Enviro-Solutions, the Canadian-based manufacturer of green cleaning products.
According to Mike, a biobased product is one that is composed in whole or in significant part of renewable agricultural materials such as corn, citrus, soy, or specifically cultured bacteria and enzymes used for bio-enzymatic cleaners.
However, he adds that just because a cleaning product is biobased does not mean it is 'green'.
"We must avoid any confusion. Many biobased products have not been proved 'green' and do not meet current green certification criteria. It is important that our industry, along with end users, fully understands this."
To select green-certified biobased products, distributors and end users should look to see if the product bears the label or mark of a respected certification organisation.
Jacquie Ottman suggests that more manufacturers, including those in the professional cleaning industry, will be developing biobased products in the coming years.
"It's clear, biobased products figure prominently in our future," she says "and we predict that all products will ultimately be judged by their impact on natural resources and global climate change."
An ISO-9001 certified company, Enviro-Solutions was established in 1994 with very focused goals: To develop and market a superior line of environmentally preferable cleaning products and solutions. Using advanced technology, the company manufactures products that offer proven safety, health, and environment benefits without sacrificing product performance and are competitively priced.
Toll Free: 877-674-4373
E: [email protected]
W: www.enviro-solution.com
16th February 2012