Industry News
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Final Version of GS-37 Released
Green Seal has
released the revision of GS-37, its environmental standard for
institutional and industrial cleaning products, with a focus on
protecting sensitive and vulnerable populations such as
children.
“The primary
goal of the GS-37 revision — the fourth revision since GS-37’s
original release in 2000 — is to ensure that it continues to
represent an environmental leadership standard in the
marketplace and, vitally, to incorporate criteria that fully
protects human health, including that of children and custodial
workers,” said Arthur Weissman, Ph.D., president and CEO of
Green Seal.
GS-37
establishes environmental requirements for institutional and
industrial general-purpose, restroom, glass and carpet
cleaners; products intended for routine cleaning of offices,
institutions, warehouses, and industrial facilities.
The revised
standard criteria emphasize consideration of vulnerable
populations in institutional settings such as schools, daycare
facilities, nursing homes, and other facilities.
GS-37 also
requires the products meet performance benchmarks set by
organizations such as ASTM, the Carpet and Rug Institute, and
the Consumer Specialty Products Association, and/or that
products meet or exceed performance norms for conventional,
nationally-recognized products in the same category and at
equivalent product-specific use directions.
GS-37 does not
include cleaners for household use, food preparation
operations, or medical facilities, nor does it apply to air
fresheners, enzymatic or microbially active products or products
required to be registered under the Federal Insecticide,
Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, such as those making claims as
sterilizers, disinfectants, or sanitizers.
The revision of
GS-37 has been managed by Green Seal with the help of an
executive committee including: New York State; the Healthy
Schools Network Inc.; a pediatric health expert from the Medical
University of South Carolina; TerraChoice, administrator of the
EcoLogo Program; and ISSA, the trade association of the
cleaning industry. Major funding was provided by the state of
New York.
Many expert
sources assisted throughout the technical development of the
standard, including: the University of Tennessee Center for
Clean Products and Clean Technologies; GREENGUARD Environmental Institute;
the Division of Environmental Health Assessment for the New York
State Dept. of Health; the Occupational Health Surveillance
Program for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health; the
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Division of Respiratory Disease Studies; the Southwest Center
for Pediatric Environmental Health at the University of Texas
Health Center at Tyler; and product development experts; among
others. Washington DC-based RESOLVE – a nonprofit organization
specializing in consensus building processes in public decision
making - helped facilitate stakeholder involvement.
Download the revised GS-37 Standard at
www.greenseal.org/certifica-tion/standards/GS37_Industrial_Cleaner
_Standard.pdf.
EPA, Macy’s Settle Fluorescent Bulb
Case
The U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency and Macy’s Retail Holdings,
Inc., have agreed to a settlement over hazardous waste
management violations at Macy’s stores in Albany and Garden
City, N.Y.
EPA alleged in
2007 that Macy’s failed to properly identify and handle
spent fluorescent and other types of light bulbs at the two
stores.
Macy’s has
agreed to pay a $49,725 penalty and to voluntarily ensure
that its approximately 75 stores throughout New York, New
Jersey and Puerto Rico remain in compliance with the
requirements for the handling of spent light bulbs.
“The proper
management of hazardous wastes, especially mercury in
fluorescent light bulbs, is a serious issue,” said EPA
Regional Administrator Alan J. Steinberg. “EPA is pleased
that Macy’s will take major steps to improve its hazardous
waste management in the region.”
EPA issued a
complaint to Macy’s in December 2007, citing the company for
violations of authorized New York State hazardous waste
regulations at two stores, Crossgates Mall in Albany and
Roosevelt Field in Garden City. EPA’s complaint had been
initiated pursuant to Section 3008 of the Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act (or RCRA), 42 U.S.C. Section 6928.
The level of
mercury in spent lamps can lead to their classification as a
hazardous waste. Mercury can lead to a variety of health
problems in children and adults alike.
ISSA Launches Green Cleaning Resource
ISSA has launched a new, comprehensive online resource area
covering the topic of green cleaning for both product and
service providers.
The information,
available at www.issa.com/green, is one of many
initiatives stemming from ISSA’s long-range, strategic plan to
provide the industry, and the public at large, with valuable
information regarding the connections between science, cleaning,
and health.
The site currently offers: industry definitions; U.S. government
and purchasing requirements; details regarding standards,
certifications, and accreditations; software and guides; and
links to more in-depth information by industry segment.
“Green cleaning has become a marketplace phenomenon that is
showing no signs of slowing down,” said ISSA Director of
Legislative and Regulatory Services Bill Balek. “Our hope is
that the resources we now make available, and our continued
updates to this body of knowledge, will help our members and
their customers sort through the current confusion and ‘green
wash’ to discover how best they can contribute to
environmentally friendly practices.”
Product manufacturers and distributors will find details
regarding proper use of environmental marketing claims, while
people looking for green products or services will find tips to
help them identify what criteria are available to distinguish
the differences between the options that currently exist. The
pages are available only to ISSA members, who will need to log
in using their member ID and log-in name.
Some of the ISSA-specific resources now available online include
guides to green procurement policies across the US and the
connection between green cleaning and the U.S. Green Building
Council’s LEED for Existing Buildings Program, PowerPoint
presentations in English and Spanish, the Green Cleaning for
Dummies guide, and EcoSmart software used to determine the costs
associated with purchasing green products.
For more information about ISSA’s science, cleaning, and health
initiative, or the association’s involvement in the industry’s
environmentally preferable cleaning activities, contact Bill
Balek at 800-225-4772 or
bill@issa.com.
DoD Picks Bio-Clean for C-130s
The Department of Defense has chosen
American Bio-Clean Corp. to provide non-toxic,
environment-safe cleaning products and customized aviation
parts cleaning systems for use in maintaining the propellers
on C130J aircraft operated by the U.S. Air Force and the
Coast Guard.
After extensive testing reflecting high
satisfaction and cost effective results, American Bio-Clean
has been chosen to provide its exclusive cleaning fluids and
parts washers as well as to provide training on the proper
use and care of the equipment fabricated by American
Bio-Tech, also a subsidiary of Bio-Clean International.
“This contract order for our custom
parts washers and exclusive, environment safe cleaning
fluids products demonstrates the significant growth
potential that Bio-Clean International possesses,” said
James E. Shipley, president and CEO. “We believe that
Bio-Clean International represents a highly unique, low
priced, high potential growth stock where investors can
secure a position in a revenue generating company with
exclusive, in-demand environment safe products.”
John Finn, executive vice president of
Bio-Clean International and vice president of American
Bio-Clean, said, “There are approximately 250 C130J
aircraft operating based in the United States with more
than 300 worldwide. For the most part, they all utilize the
same propellers which need to be cleaned and maintained in
proper operation.” Fin continued, “We look forward to
providing our equipment, and environmental safe fluids to
our armed forces, that provides the safety and security for
all Americans, and various foreign countries worldwide.”
Bio-Clean International, Inc.’s
exclusive, non-toxic; bio-remediation fluids provide an
environmentally safe solution. Our exclusive products and
machines have been tested and shown to be in complete
compliance with environment regulations, in other words, “Cleantech.”
Tennant Buys Chinese Distributor
Tennant Co. has bought a Chinese company
that has been distributing its products for 12 years. The
company announced in August its acquisition of Shanghai,
China-based Shanghai Shen Tan Mechanical and Electrical
Equipment Co. for an undisclosed sum.
The deal will give Tennant a direct sales
and service presence in the greater
Shanghai
area. Shanghai Shen Ten’s 2007 revenue was approximately $1.6
million.
The company also named Carol S. Eicher vice president and
business director for Primary Materials, a business of chemical
company
Rohm and Haas Co. in
Philadelphia. She also worked at
DuPont Co. and Ashland Inc.
The addition of
Eicher brings the number of directors to nine.
NMG Expands US Air Deal
National
Maintenance Group, Inc. has been awarded by US Airways the
contract to do janitorial cleaning for their aircraft at the
Portland, Oregon International Airport.
National
Maintenance has already started this property, receiving
excellent initial service reports, and recently was awarded
the contract for US Airways’ location at Chicago O’Hare
Field for janitorial cleaning of aircraft and facilities,
where it has made outstanding improvements to the every day
cleaning process.
Headquartered in
Scottsdale
with a regional office in Lake Geneva,
WI, National Maintenance Group provides general building
maintenance services for companies of all sizes, regardless
of their specific industry.
Universal Names New President Steve Claton
Universal
Protection Service, the largest provider of security
services to the commercial real estate market in Southern California, has named Steve Claton as president.
Claton will be
responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of
Universal Protection Service and developing a long-term
vision for the division. Universal Protection Service is a
division of Universal Services of America (USA) which
includes Universal Building Maintenance, UPS Security
Systems and UPS Fire/Life Safety Services.
“Steve offers
valuable insight into the commercial real estate market and
building operations,” said Brian Cescolini, chairman and
co-CEO of Universal Services of America, “We are confident
that his contributions will help Universal Protection
Service continue its tremendous growth and add value to our
clients while maintaining our hallmark of high customer
satisfaction levels.”
Cescolini and
Steve Jones, co-CEO and COO of Universal Services America
(USA), will continue to work closely with clients and
employees within the Universal Protection Service division
while focusing on managing the multiple divisions and
expanding operations of USA.
Claton was most
recently the vice president of Operations at The Irvine
Company, which owns and operates a portfolio of about 400
high-rises, shopping centers and campus environments
throughout California and
previously served in a senior management role with
Insignia/ESG and The Shorenstein Company.
“Steve has
earned a strong reputation for his professionalism and his
passion for customer service in the commercial real estate
industry,” said Jones, “His knowledge, experience and
excitement to serve will resonant with our customer and
employee teams.”
Disinfection, IAQ Top Cleaning Concerns
More than 68
percent of the customers of facility service providers
(FSPs) are increasingly concerned about building
contamination and disinfection issues.
A recent survey
by Tornado Industries, maker of vacuum cleaners and other
floorcare equipment, also found that nearly 80 percent of
the end customers have become increasingly concerned about
indoor air quality.
Further, the
study found that more than 84 percent of the FSPs “have
taken steps to minimize the environmental impact of
cleaning.”
Subscribers to
the July issue of Tornado Watch, the monthly newsletter of
Tornado were invited to take part in the online survey.
Of the FSPs
responding, 42 percent were building service contractors,
nearly 45 percent in-house cleaning professionals in
schools and government facilities, with the remainder
cleaning professionals in “other” industries. More than 100
people completed the survey, which has a confidence rating
of 95 percent.
The study also
reported that: The noise associated with cleaning was a
concern of 53 percent of the respondents;
Moisture control when cleaning
carpets and floors is an issue for 68 percent of the FSPs;
More than 78 percent of the
respondents said they would select cleaning equipment that
is more energy efficient as long as price and performance
were the same; but just more than half list this as a key
consideration when selecting cleaning equipment;
Although more than 60 percent
indicated that there are recycling programs in place where
they work, approximately the same number said it is not
important to them if the cleaning equipment they select is
made from or is recyclable.
“We actually see two significant
trends in this survey,” says Jolynn Kennedy, marketing
manager for Tornado. “First, end customers are getting much
more concerned about the health of their facilities.
Additionally, FSPs are becoming much more aware of the
impact cleaning has on the environment and are taking steps
to reduce it.”
Kennedy
adds that the goal of this and other surveys included in the
TornadoWatch are to better understand end user trends,
needs, and the overall direction of the jan-san industry.
NPTA Awards Alexy of Network Services
NPTA Alliance, a
paper, packaging and supplies organization, will honor R.
James Alexy, CEO of Network Services Co., with the Stanley
O. Styles Industry Excellence Award.
The award is
given annually to an individual who has demonstrated
leadership and innovation within NPTA Alliance’s
industries. It will be presented to Alexy on Oct. 23 at the
Chairman’s Dinner at NPTA’s annual convention in
Chicago
at the Hyatt Regency Hotel.
Since 1993,
Alexy has been CEO of Network Services, an international
member-owned organization of independent distributors of
printing materials, janitorial supplies, foodservice
disposables, and industrial packaging. He has guided Network
Services’ growth from $1.8 billion in 1993 to $15.1 billion
in 2007.
In 1999, in
concert with 11 independent regional printing paper
distributors, Alexy formed NetPrint, now a $4.8 billion
division of Network Services.
Alexy has been a
member of NPTA Alliance for 40 years and served on the NPTA
Alliance executive committee and board for three years. In
2004, Alexy was the NPTA Alliance chairman.
“Jim Alexy has
made a remarkable contribution to Network and to NPTA,” says
Robert Mitchum, president of Network Services. “He is known
throughout the industries we serve for his accomplishments
as well as his leadership and integrity.”
Two scholarships will be awarded in Alexy’s name for the
Paper and Plastics Education Research (PAPER) Foundation
scholarship program in 2009.
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