Just one year after the Carpet and Rug Institute earned accreditation as a product certifying body from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), CRI has successfully passed its first annual ANSI Surveillance Audit of their Green Label and Green Label Plus Indoor Air Quality certification programs.

According to ANSI, auditors found CRI to be in strict adherence to the Green Label programs’ policy and procedural standards.

The first environmental product certification program to be recognized by ANSI, Green Label and Green Label Plus were developed in the early 1990’s as part of a voluntary effort by the soft floor covering industry to promote the positive aspects of carpet as a floor covering choice for homes and public buildings. Green Label and Green Label Plus certifications identify products that have been tested against the most stringent national and international indoor air quality standards.

CRI’s Green Label Plus certifications are recognized by the State of California’s Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS), which identifies 79 chemicals of concern and sets exacting limits on the allowable concentrations of these items in school classrooms. Additionally, the Green Label Plus programs contribute to totals under the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) sustainable building rating system.

The past year has seen rapid expansion of CRI’s Green Label programs. Current participants include 32 U.S manufacturers, 12 Chinese firms, and a total of 17 entities from Canada, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Thailand, Australia, and United Arab Emirates. Recently, CRI received its first South American application for Green Label Plus accreditation from a Brazilian manufacturer.

“We are pleased our Green Label programs came through the ANSI audit with such flying colors,” said CRI President Werner Braun. “In the near future, CRI plans to expand ANSI certification to our Green Label adhesives and cushion programs, and eventually include all CRI signature programs.”

The audit was conducted at CRI’s Dalton, GA headquarters and Air Quality Sciences’ Atlanta facility. Richard Stump of Consultants in Quality Inc. from Iowa City, Iowa conducted the audit for ANSI.

Green Building May be Key to Future Economy

Even as dire financial news continues to dominate headlines, a cascade of newly released studies and reports points to green building as one of the growing bright spots for the U.S. economy.

In fact, as economic experts call for a recovery plan focused on green jobs and infrastructure, as consumers look to live in more economically sustainable homes, as businesses strive to cut operating costs, and as our national security needs depend on an end to reliance on foreign energy sources, green buildings’ ability to deliver solutions to these pressing challenges promises to change the way we view the building industry.

“As research comes in from diverse sources examining the interest in green buildings among a wide range of Americans, the numbers keep painting the same picture: The future of our built environment clearly centers on energy efficiency, water reduction, systems that encourage cleaner indoor air, the use of recycled and more sustainably developed materials, and communities that coexist with their environments,” said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chair, U.S. Green Building Council.

“Over and over again, Americans are saying the same thing: The key to a prosperous future is sustainability, and the triple bottom line – environmental responsibility, economic prosperity and social equity – is imperative as we move forward.”

According to Turner Construction Company’s “Green Building Barometer,” 75 percent of commercial real estate executives – including developers, rental building owners, brokers, architects, engineers and others – say the credit crunch will not discourage them from building green. For more information, go to www.usgbc.org.

ABM’s 1Q Profits at All-Time High

ABM Industries Inc., a facilities services provider, has reported a first quarter profit of $14.2 million, the highest in the company’s history. The company reports first quarter sales of $887.5 million, compared to $887.8 million in the same quarter a year ago.

Net income of $14.2 million, or $0.28 per diluted share, equals a 123 percent increase over $6.4 million, or $0.13 per diluted share, in the year-ago quarter.

“We are very pleased with the strength of our performance, particularly given the pressures on our customer base in this economy,” said Henrik Slipsager, president and CEO.

“While our revenues continue to be affected by the weak economic climate, our earnings remain strong as we further improve our operating efficiencies and profitability through aggressive cost containment, synergies from the OneSource acquisition and eliminating less profitable business. As a result, all of our core businesses – janitorial, engineering, parking and security – grew their operating profits compared to the year-ago quarter, and the integration of OneSource continues to drive profitability.”

Operating profit for the first quarter increased to $26.0 million, up 73 percent over the first quarter of fiscal year 2008 operating profit of $15.0 million. Operating profit also was the highest recorded by the company for the first quarter.

Net cash provided by operating activities for the first quarter of fiscal year 2009 was $26.1 million compared to net cash used of $24.9 million in the year-ago quarter, representing a net improvement of $51 million. Additionally, the Company reduced its net debt by $14 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2009 compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2008.

In light of first quarter results, the Company is improving its guidance for the first half of fiscal year 2009.

The company has assets of $1.57 billion, and liabilities of $918 million.

Green Seal Certifies Atlas Paper Mills

Green Seal, Inc. has certified select away-from-home brands and retail brands of bathroom tissue produced by Atlas Paper Mills, a manufacturer of recycled paper products.

The certification states that Atlas complies with the environmental and performance requirements of the Green Seal environmental standard for 2- ply, 1-ply and jumbo rolls of tissue paper (GS-1).

Green Seal Certification assures customers that the Atlas tissue products are produced from 100 percent recycled fibers, meet EPA guidelines for post consumer waste, and adhere to strict quality control standards in the paper manufacturing process.

“Atlas has been using 100 percent recycled wastepaper and fiber since its founding in 1982,” said Ed Gagliardi, executive vice president of sales and marketing. “In essence, Atlas was born Green, but has worked hard and invested significant resources in taking the additional steps required to ensure that we meet the stringent Green Seal manufacturing process standards.” Based in Miami, Atlas has been recognized by paper industry experts, regulatory agencies and the State of Florida for being environmentally conscientious and innovative.

Its manufacturing process uses no chlorine or any other potentially harmful chemicals, consumes a minimal amount of water and energy, and is fully compliant with EPA air pollution regulations. The company uses Green cleaning products, recycles all corrugated, polyethylene and plastic materials used in manufacturing and distribution, and reclaims the by-product of its de-inking process to be used as fertilizer.

“Green Seal certification is the most significant endorsement of the sustainability of our products,” states Gagliardi, noting that the company’s application was approved several months earlier than anticipated. “We also recognize the value needs of our customers, and our products will remain at current market prices to our distributors.”

In addition to bathroom tissue, Atlas’s product lines include facial tissue, roll towels, center pull-down and folded towels.

Green Guide for Health Care Names New Senior Director

The Green Guide for Health Care (GGHC) has named Kumkum M. Dilwali, MS, LEED-AP, as Senior Director.

“We are very pleased to welcome Ms. Dilwali to our team,” said Gail Vittori. “She is uniquely qualified and experienced in green initiatives customized for the healthcare industry and will enhance the Green Guide’s ongoing evolution as a catalyst towards a regenerative healthcare industry.”

Dilwali was most recently Director of Safety at Emerson Hospital in Concord, MA, where she launched their first green operations program, “Emerson in the Green,” in 2008, and ensured continuous compliance with the Joint Commission and regulatory agencies.

She also served as Senior Scientist and Project Executive at Environmental Health and Engineering in Newton, MA, where she managed large, complex institutional projects in the building sciences, oversaw healthcare compliance, led high-performance building design and operations efforts for clients, and conducted technical evaluations of the engineered environment.

Dilwali has extensive experience in green building and design, having led the green design and construction aspects for two years on behalf of the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, MA for the 13-story Shapiro Cardiovascular Center.

She served as an integral member of a Harvard University steering committee for a campus-wide sustainability initiative, “Greening the Crimson,” designed to move institutional policy towards environmental stewardship.

She also participated in the nationwide pilot effort of the Green Guide for Health Care.

Dilwali received a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1981 and a Master of Science degree in Environmental Health Management from the Harvard School of Public Health in 1995. She is a LEED-accredited professional by the US Green Building Council.

Adele Houghton, former GGHC program manager, has launched Adele Houghton Consulting, a sustainability consulting company specializing in solutions for the design and construction industry, developers, non-profits, and government agencies committed to integrating health and environmental concerns into building, planning, and policy.

In her tenure with the Green Guide, Adele effectively managed an evergrowing list of initiatives and played a pivotal role in the release of the Green Guide Version 2, managing both the Pilot process and release of the Green Guide Operations tool.

The Green Guide for Health Care, a project of Health Care without Harm and Center for Maximum Potential Building Systems, is available as a free download from the GGHC website: www.gghc.org.

ISSA Names Manager for Poland

Reflecting its emphasis on services to its East European members, ISSA has announced that Mariusz Konczak has joined it as marketing and communications manager in Warsaw, Poland.

This new appointment underlines the high importance ISSA attaches to expanding services to its members in Europe, and specifically in regard to this position, focused toward its members in Poland as well as throughout Central and Eastern Europe (CEE).

The Polish Cleaning Association (PSC) is a critically important alliance partner of ISSA. Some products of that alliance include ISSA/INTERCLEAN CEE, which will be held in Warsaw May 13-15, 2009, and the Hygiene Certification Program, a joint effort with TUV, a German standards organization, to certify individuals and organizations within the cleaning industry in the CEE countries.

Konczak’s responsibilities will focus on supporting the membership of ISSA and PSC and expanding ISSA member benefits, including the Warsaw tradeshow, educational programs, and the Hygiene Certification Program. He will be working diligently to create new and expanded member services.

On the personal side, Konczak is fluent in both written and spoken English. He comes to ISSA after four years as marketing manager and spokesman for Bydgoszcz Airport, the international airport that services Warsaw, Poland.

In addition, he has experience as a journalist, having worked for Wyborcza newspaper and other titles, as well as in the general media sector. He also ran his own business, Television Poland SA, preparing television advertising projects and events.

Konczak’s contact info is as follows: c/o PSC 85-008 Bydgoszcz, Poland ul. Slowackiego 1 tel: +48 052 345 56 94 tel./fax +48 052 322 41 15 E-mail: mariusz@issa.com, www.czystosc-psc.org.pl

Lawsuit Seeks Disclosure of Cleaning Ingredients

The Soap and Detergent Association says an activist group’s lawsuit filed in New York State against cleaning product manufacturers is unfounded, lacks legal standing and ignores efforts by industry to offer more information than ever before about cleaning products and their ingredients.

The Association expressed disappointment that activist groups led by Earthjustice are using an arcane New York State regulation as a way to disparage cleaning product formulators whose products are used safely and effectively by millions of people every single day.

The lawsuit was filed by Earthjustice seeking New York to force manufacturers to disclose the ingredients in their household cleaning products. “Consumers deserve to know whether the products they use to wash their dishes, launder their clothes or clean their homes are harmful to thems or their environment,” says Keri Powell, an attorney at Earthjustice.

The lawsuit revolves around a law passed in 1971—but rarely enforced, says Earthjustice—that gives the New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation (DEC) the power to force manufacturers to disclose the ingredients of their products as well as any health or safety studies.

And, should the DEC commissioner feel it is warranted, it also allows the state to ban the use of certain chemicals— a power that was last invoked back in 1985 to ban the solvent nitroacetic acid, or NTA, that was shown to cause cancer in lab animals, according to program associate Saima Anjam of Environmental Advocates of New York.

SDA said that the activists’ attempts to force disclosure of ingredient information under New York State law are not supported by state regulation.

“We believe that the activists are misinterpreting state law and that their threats are counterproductive,” said Michelle Radecki, SDA’s general counsel.

“The cleaning product industry is committed to providing more information than ever before on cleaning product ingredients.”

“We have already unveiled a voluntary program that will provide more meaningful information on ingredients, in a more consistent, easy-to-understand format, that will help consumers make informed decisions about the products they use in and around their homes.”

The Consumer Product Ingredient Communication Initiative was unveiled in November 2008 by SDA, the Consumer Specialty Products Association and the Canadian Consumer Specialty Products Association. This initiative provides different means to inform consumers about the ingredients in products: On the product label; on the manufacturers’, distributors’, or importers’ website; through a toll-free telephone number; or through other non-electronic means.

“The cleaning product industry’s ingredient communication initiative goes beyond any law on the books in providing meaningful information to consumers,” added Radecki.

JDI’s ProSpeed Awarded for Pollution Control

JohnsonDiversey’s ProSpeed floor-finishing system has been recognized with an award for waste management and pollution control.

The Environmental Business Journal has chosen ProSpeed to receive a technical merit award for its reduced water use and floor finish savings as well as its reduced emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).

“We are honored to receive this prestigious award,” said JohnsonDiversey Americas President John Alexander. “ProSpeed is a strong example of how we’re providing systems that promise a cleaner, healthier future for our customers and the people who occupy their facilities.”

Since its introduction in June 2008, ProSpeed has been revolutionizing the floor-finishing process for building service contractors and other cleaning professionals in retail, health care and education facilities, Alexander said.

“ProSpeed was designed to offer efficiency, reduced environmental impact and worker safety,” Alexander said. “This is the type of customer-focused innovation we are committed to deliver for our customers.”

EBJ Editor-in-Chief Grant Ferrier recognized the company’s commitment to environmental innovation. “Few companies in the commercial cleaning supply industry pay enough attention to environmental issues,” Ferrier said. “JohnsonDiversey’s water-saving and VOC-reduction improvements are remarkable. ProSpeed represents a significant environmental improvement from the status quo and makes customers more productive.”

During its first 10 weeks of deployment, ProSpeed saved customers an estimated 71,400 gallons of water and 8,200 gallons of floor finish. ProSpeed delivers significant water savings because there is no need to clean mop heads, buckets, backpacks or feed lines. The system has a closed bag-in-abox (BIB) chemical management system that avoids unnecessary clean-up and reduces use of petroleum-based packaging.

Traditional floor-finish systems can waste as much as one-third of chemical products because floor finish is left in the head of the mop or in the bucket after application. Workers using ProSpeed apply only as much finish as needed for any size job. They then store the tool with BIB and remaining finish until the next job, rather than clean the head of a traditional mop.

ProSpeed also contributes to better indoor air quality. Its closed system reduces emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) found in floor finishes. As a result, customers have reported fewer odors in the floor-finishing process.