Study Finds Misleading Green Claims
Buyers beware — that so-called “green” product is likely stretching the eco-truth according to the Six Sins of Greenwashing study released by TerraChoice Environmental Marketing.

The Six Sins of Greenwashing found that of 1,018 common consumer products ranging from toothpaste to caulking to shampoo to printers, randomly surveyed for the study, 99 percent were guilty of “greenwashing.”

“The products we surveyed made a total of 1,753 claims, and 99% per cent committed at least one of the Six Sins of Greenwashing,” says TerraChoice President Scott McDougall. “The Six Sins of Greenwashing will equip consumers with tools to help figure out the truth about enviro-friendly products.” The study and consumer tip sheets can be found on the Web at www.terrachoice.com.

The environmental shortcomings were so prevalent that they were separated them into six categories — or the “Six Sins of Greenwashing.”

1. Sin of the Hidden Trade-Off
2. Sin of No Proof
3. Sin of Vagueness
4. Sin of Irrelevance
5. Sin of Fibbing
6. Sin of Lesser of Two Evils

• “We plan on changing our wet mop heads to micro-fiber mops. We are also implementing a color coding system to streamline cleaning processes involving micro-fiber cleaning towels.”
  — Pam Nash, assistant director, facilities at Prairie Meadows Racetrack and Casino in Altoona, Iowa
  
  
• Two other readers commented that they are reassessing cleaning times within their facility, in an effort to streamline their department and make it as effective and efficient as possible. One stated that this was being done so that come 2009, they have “legs to stand on when pitching budget increases to upper management.”
  
  
• An environmental service manager based in Denver, Col. explained that his department will focus on the facility’s entryway. Currently under construction, the entryway will feature new stone flooring and he is currently training staff on proper maintenance techniques to keeping it up to par.

January Questions:

1. What safety protocols do you have in place to prevent slips, trips and falls among staff and building occupants?
2. What have you done to combat the spread of MRSA within your facility?

E-mail Housekeeping Solutions your response and look for the results in the January issue of the HS Update.

As we finish out the year and close the books on 2007, many of us look forward and wonder what opportunities 2008 has in store for us. In the world of cleaning, some experts are predicting higher pricing and tighter spending. This will result in some cleaning managers making minimal changes to their programs. Others will have to cut costs to stay out of the red. But some managers who have been saving dollars might increase spending to take advantage of bargains that others have overlooked.

These are predictions, of course, and many agree that there are no guarantees in this industry. That is why it is important for cleaning managers to know the ins and outs of their facilities so if cuts are necessary, there is already a systematic process in place to implement the changes. What do you predict for your facility in 2008?