To some, the concept of green disinfectants is an
oxymoron. How can you be green and
kill? Without a doubt there is a group
of like minded people who I refer to as The Granola Bunch who advocate and
believe that all chemicals are bad and should be banned regardless of their
need from an infection control perspective. Now don’t get me wrong – I
believe that we need to use chemicals judiciously. Antibacterial hand
soaps are not needed for the general public or at home – just use plain soap
and water. Nor do disinfectants need to be used everywhere or on
everything. There are, however, areas that require the use of
disinfectants and cucumber juice, essential oils or other seemingly benign
chemicals that claim to have killing properties do not provide the level of
efficacy (protection) that are needed. You can however, choose products
that use safer, more environmentally friendly chemistries. In Canada you
can find certified green disinfectants through the EcoLogo program and in the
US, through the Design for Environment program.
The key is to choose a product that provides a balance between its
safety (personal and environmental) and efficacy (it can kill what it needs
to).
oxymoron. How can you be green and
kill? Without a doubt there is a group
of like minded people who I refer to as The Granola Bunch who advocate and
believe that all chemicals are bad and should be banned regardless of their
need from an infection control perspective. Now don’t get me wrong – I
believe that we need to use chemicals judiciously. Antibacterial hand
soaps are not needed for the general public or at home – just use plain soap
and water. Nor do disinfectants need to be used everywhere or on
everything. There are, however, areas that require the use of
disinfectants and cucumber juice, essential oils or other seemingly benign
chemicals that claim to have killing properties do not provide the level of
efficacy (protection) that are needed. You can however, choose products
that use safer, more environmentally friendly chemistries. In Canada you
can find certified green disinfectants through the EcoLogo program and in the
US, through the Design for Environment program.
The key is to choose a product that provides a balance between its
safety (personal and environmental) and efficacy (it can kill what it needs
to).
But in choosing Green Killing agents we need to be able
to weed out false and misleading environmental claims. According to the 2010 The Sins of Greenwashing Home and Family edition report from Terrachoice the number of
"greener" products available on the market has increased by 73%! Consumers and companies alike are attracted
to the concept of "Green", but without clear definitions of what the
environmental benefit is we can fall into the quagmire of
"Greenwashing". The 7 Sins of
Greenwashing as defined by TerraChoice is a wonderful way to work through the
true sustainability or "green" attributes of a product.
to weed out false and misleading environmental claims. According to the 2010 The Sins of Greenwashing Home and Family edition report from Terrachoice the number of
"greener" products available on the market has increased by 73%! Consumers and companies alike are attracted
to the concept of "Green", but without clear definitions of what the
environmental benefit is we can fall into the quagmire of
"Greenwashing". The 7 Sins of
Greenwashing as defined by TerraChoice is a wonderful way to work through the
true sustainability or "green" attributes of a product.
1. THE SIN OF HIDDEN TRADE-OFF: suggests that a product
is green based on an unreasonably narrow set of attributes without attention to
other important environmental attributes.
For example, the use of corn-based ethanol has a larger greenhouse gas
footprint than petrochemicals and the use of coconut oil contributes
to rainforest habitat destruction.
is green based on an unreasonably narrow set of attributes without attention to
other important environmental attributes.
For example, the use of corn-based ethanol has a larger greenhouse gas
footprint than petrochemicals and the use of coconut oil contributes
to rainforest habitat destruction.
2. THE SIN OF NO PROOF: is a claim that cannot be
substantiated by easily accessible supporting information or by a reliable
third-party certification body. For
example, stating that products are biodegradable.
substantiated by easily accessible supporting information or by a reliable
third-party certification body. For
example, stating that products are biodegradable.
3. THE SIN OF VAGUENESS: is committed by every claim that
is poorly defined or broad that its real meaning is likely to be misunderstood
by the consumer. "All-Natural"
for example. Arsenic, Uranium, Mercury
and Formaldehyde are all naturally occurring and most definitely
poisonous. "All-Natural" isn't
necessarily "Green"!
is poorly defined or broad that its real meaning is likely to be misunderstood
by the consumer. "All-Natural"
for example. Arsenic, Uranium, Mercury
and Formaldehyde are all naturally occurring and most definitely
poisonous. "All-Natural" isn't
necessarily "Green"!
4. THE SIN OF IRRELEVANCE: is committed by making a claim
that while it may be truthful is unimportant or unhelpful to consumers. For example, "CFC-Free". Did you know that CFCs have been legally
banned for almost 30 years? In fact
there are no products manufactured using CFCs!
that while it may be truthful is unimportant or unhelpful to consumers. For example, "CFC-Free". Did you know that CFCs have been legally
banned for almost 30 years? In fact
there are no products manufactured using CFCs!
5. THE SIN OF THE LESSER OF TWO EVILS: is committed by claims
that may be true within the product category, but distract the consumer from
the greater environmental impact of the category as a whole. While not specific to chemicals, my two
favorites are "organic cigarettes" and "fuel-efficient"
SUVs.
that may be true within the product category, but distract the consumer from
the greater environmental impact of the category as a whole. While not specific to chemicals, my two
favorites are "organic cigarettes" and "fuel-efficient"
SUVs.
6. THE SIN OF FIBBING: while infrequent, is committed by
making environmental claims that are simply false. For example, Shampoos
claimed to be certified organic but research could not find certification
support. My all time favorite example is
of a dishwasher detergent claiming it used 100% recycled paper but packaged in
a plastic container!?!
making environmental claims that are simply false. For example, Shampoos
claimed to be certified organic but research could not find certification
support. My all time favorite example is
of a dishwasher detergent claiming it used 100% recycled paper but packaged in
a plastic container!?!
7. THE SIN OF WORSHIPPING FALSE LABELS: is committed by a
product that, through either words or images, gives the impression of third
party endorsement where no such endorsement actual exists - in other words,
fake labels. Any company who promotes
their own corporate "Green" Program or using the word
"Green" within a product name are two examples of how consumers fall
into the trap of worshipping false labels.
product that, through either words or images, gives the impression of third
party endorsement where no such endorsement actual exists - in other words,
fake labels. Any company who promotes
their own corporate "Green" Program or using the word
"Green" within a product name are two examples of how consumers fall
into the trap of worshipping false labels.
Whether it be our homes, offices, schools or healthcare
facilities there is strategic importance of environmental sustainability. We can improve community health. We can improve public images, streamline
facility operations and perhaps most importantly improve financial performance
which is obviously good for any business!
If you are looking to "Green" you killing agents, be sure to
weed through the quagmire of greenwashing using the 7 Sins as your benchmark or
better yet, decide to use only those products that carry third party
certification. Whether you choose
EcoLogo, GreenSeal or DfE these programs have been designed to ensure that
strict standards are followed in the formulation of cleaning and disinfectant
products and require companies to submit proof of the claims they wish to make
as part of the certification process.
It's the simple choice!
facilities there is strategic importance of environmental sustainability. We can improve community health. We can improve public images, streamline
facility operations and perhaps most importantly improve financial performance
which is obviously good for any business!
If you are looking to "Green" you killing agents, be sure to
weed through the quagmire of greenwashing using the 7 Sins as your benchmark or
better yet, decide to use only those products that carry third party
certification. Whether you choose
EcoLogo, GreenSeal or DfE these programs have been designed to ensure that
strict standards are followed in the formulation of cleaning and disinfectant
products and require companies to submit proof of the claims they wish to make
as part of the certification process.
It's the simple choice!
Bugging Off!
Nicole
