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Questions Surround Green Laws
In a recent discussion with a coworker, I uncovered some interesting questions regarding some of the current laws requiring green initiatives — such as green cleaning in schools throughout New York and Illinois, government buildings in New Jersey, etc.

With these laws already in place, my first question was, “Who began discussions surrounding the implementation of such a law?” Was it an angry parent whose child had an adverse effect to the VOCs in a chemical used within a school? Was it a BSC who wanted a leg up on his in-house competition? Was it a cleaning manufacturer who wanted to drive business to its green line of products? Seems as though, it varies by state and there was no one group of people.

Although I am still very interested in determining an answer to this question, another possibly more important one came to mind. Who is regulating the use of these green products? Are we working on the honor system and addressing offenders only as problems arise? Who is liable if an accident/offense does occur? The cleaning department using the incorrect products, or the distributor or manufacturer who sold this product — knowing it defies green laws?

Now that green and sustainable issues are top-of-mind with many cleaners, it is time to start narrowing down the specifics and answering some of these questions.

Posted 11-06-2008 8:00 AM by Corinne Zudonyi

Comments

Corinne Zudonyi wrote re: Questions Surround Green Laws
on 02-02-2009 7:25 AM

Posted by Joseph Rinaldi R E H on 12/16/2008 9:23:32 AM

I read CleanLink almost daily and I still wonder why we keep putting the horse in back of the carrage. What we are doing is nothing new with green environmentally friendly products. This goes back to the R T K laws. Why do people refuse to acknowledge that the true caretaker of our industry or environment is the custodian, janitor, porter, char lady, maid or whatever title you want to give them? They are the true caretakers of our environment. Because if they don't know what they are doing we are in deep trouble.

You have to create a standard in the industry where everyone is on the same playing field. The employees in this field have to be certified as much as the chemicals they use so they have a full understanding as to what their impact on the environment is, green chemicals don't solve the problem if the people useing them are just going through the motions.

I have been in this business 32 years and seen so many people in this industry just go through the motions and not care about what they are doing. These people have to be motivated and understand how important their job is and how they are the one's that are keeping the environment green and safe. Cleaning is not rocket science but in today's world it might just be with all the governing agencies overseeing our industry.