It’s not easy
being green
AND IT SURE ISN’T CHEAP EITHER. WITH NEW RULES TO ABIDE BY CONSTANTLY
BEING INTRODUCED, COSTS ARE INCREASING FOR ENVIRONMENTALLY
FRIENDLY PRODUCTS, POSING THE QUESTION: IS A SUSTAINABLE ALTERNATIVE
WORTH THE HASSLE AND PRICE TAG, WHEN WHAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE ON
THE MARKET WORKS JUST FINE AT A MORE REASONABLE COST?
We all know that being green is the aim for 2010 Unfortunately, this is not always the case. At quite a mouthful, these products pose
and beyond, no matter what industry we are in,
We must also consider the packaging and
significant risk to human health and welfare
but achieving the badge that says “officially
transportation costs, as well as their affects on
and require protective clothing and equipment.
green” is a much harder task than you’d expect.
our carbon footprint. The greener product
At first glance, the legislation sounds most
Many companies in the cleaning industry have
could possibly have packaging that isn’t bio-
reasonable, and actually a good idea. However,
made the effort to reduce their carbon footprint degradable, and chances are it would have
upon closer inspection, the logistics and cost
and to provide sustainable products. But being
of ensuring that Biocical Products are tested
been transported in fuel-guzzling vehicles.
100% green is simply not a feasible label to
and packaged appropriately may in fact be out
The dilemma within the cleaning industry is
attain to whilst keeping costs competitive.
of reach for many businesses.
that changes in legislation are making it
In our day-to-day lives, we can all attempt to
The Biocidal Products Directive (BPD) for
increasingly difficult for companies to become
recycle our waste, or use products that are less
example, a major piece of legislation
eco-friendly whilst keeping within budget.
harmful to the environment, except, as with
regarding this issue will affect all products
most things, there is always a catch.
Biocidal Products, as an example, are defined
that are “marketed” as disinfectants or
by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) as
bactericidal products.
Take cleaning products for example. We all
know that these products can present problems
“active substances and preparations containing The BPD aims to harmonise the European
for the environment in terms of the chemicals
one or more active substances, put up in the market for Biocidal Products, so that the
that are used. We are all well aware of the
form in which they are supplied to the user,
product authorisation in one Member State
warning symbols printed on the label, and if a
intended to destroy, deter, render harmless,
can be recognised in other Member States.
product used other raw materials instead, you
prevent the action of or otherwise exert a
Sounds reasonable.
would assume that this problem would be controlling effect on any harmful organism by However, it exists in order to provide “a high
solved, wouldn’t you? chemical or biological means.” level of protection for people, animals and the
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| TOMORROW’S CLEANING | The future of our cleaning industry
SUSTAINABLE CLEANING
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