What is green?
According to United States executive order 13101, "environmentally preferable" products or services have a “lesser or reduced effect on human health and the environment when compared with competing products or services that serve the same purpose.” This executive order has helped spawn the “green” movement and a growing preference for “green cleaning” programs.
What is green cleaning?
In addition to U.S. government standards, many trade organizations have adopted widely recognized green cleaning standards. Certification programs and recommended product lists help suppliers like Tennant strive to meet the highest standards, while also helping organizations like yours recognize the products and services available for establishing a complete green cleaning program. Tennant actively participates in and recognizes the green cleaning guidelines established by the organizations listed below. For information about Tennant’s green products and their LEED-qualifying features, open the Tennant product certification grid or visit Products.
- Green Label approval (CRI – Carpet and Rug Institute)
- NFSI approval (National Floor Safety Institute)
- GS-37 approved detergents (Green Seal)
- NSF approval (NSF International)
- LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design by USGBA)
Why go green?
- 1. Protect people in our care – the occurrence of asthma is epidemic and doubled from 6.8 million cases in 1980 to 14.6 million cases in 1996 according to the National Center for Health Statistics and to 17.3 million cases in 1999 according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Go green to improve indoor air quality and reduce VOCs, and as a result, you will better protect people in your care and help prevent growing incidences of asthma, allergic reactions and chemical sensitivities.
- 2. Increase operators and employee productivity and satisfaction – Evaluating numerous, documented studies, researcher and consultant Dr. Judith Heerwagen, PhD, has found that when improving IAQ, productivity increases 0.5 to 7.0 percent – translating into approximately 3 to 34 minutes saved per day. Thorough and effective cleaning also reduces bacteria, viruses and other causes of illness, ultimately reducing absenteeism.
- 3. Create a competitive advantage – If you are a building service contractor, differentiate yourself from the competition by offering complete green cleaning programs and educating customers on the benefits of going green. If you are a facility owner, potential tenants will respond to the investment you’ve made in their health and safety by providing a green environment.
What is green at Tennant?
Tennant helps customers create clean, healthy, safe and attractive environments with products that conserve resources and protect the environment. Through ongoing research and development, Tennant continues to develop more environmentally friendly products – from detergents to coatings to cleaning machines and systems. Look for third-party certifications on many of our machines, detergents and coatings, which further reinforce our commitment to clean and green.
Where can I learn more about going green?
