Activity Breakout by Topic (UGCA)

 
 
 
 

 

Simplified Summary of the UGCA Facilitator Initiated Activity

Summary of the Answers to the Facilitator Question: A successful outcome of this project is one that meets my need for ____________?

The answers to this question were gathered from the charts prepared by the various breakout groups of the UGCA and are organized and summarized into several categories below. We would ask that each UGCA member review the information below and provide appropriate comments, corrections or suggestions.

It is clear from the information transcribed from the charts that the group is interested in finding a way to Identify and Distinguish Eco-Effective Commercial Cleaning Products (CCP) from Traditional Commercial Cleaning Products.

Worker Use and Safety

  • Standardized and easy to read Material Safety Data Sheets
  • Train and educate workers about proper use of cleaning products
  • Breakdown resistance barriers among workers
  • Product should be healthy for user by reducing the health hazard

Simplicity

  • Easy to use
  • Easy access to accurate and reliable information
  • Fewer cleaning products
  • Easy to read and understand labeling
  • Simplify and make safer the dispensing of the chemicals

Environmentally Preferable Criteria

  • Set of effective criteria for eco-effective products
  • Clear definition of criteria and standards
  • List of bad or unwanted chemicals or categories of chemicals
  • Clearly defined and non-proprietary criteria that include availability and clear choices
  • Environmental packaging as well as cleaner chemistry
  • Use a holistic approach and don’t only focus on the cleaning chemical itself
  • Broad enough to allow enough manufacturers to participate
  • Effective model for assessing levels of green in cleaning
  • Identify products that don’t need to be regulated today or tomorrow

Verification of Accuracy and Trust in Product Criteria and Labeling Claims

  • How to gain trust in the label – A label that can be trusted
  • Third-Party Certification
  • Based on real science
  • Full disclosure of ingredients
  • Mark container labels with a certification mark

Affordability and Availability

  • Product must be cost competitive
  • What is the willingness of the customer to pay for Eco-Effective benefits?
  • A selection of products and manufacturers should be widely available to potential users
  • Emphasis on identifying lowest total cost instead of cost per gallon mentality
  • Capital preservation of furniture and fixture assets by using Eco-Effective

Education and Awareness

Prepare a list of customer benefits

Breakdown resistance barriers

Create a framework for understanding

Effective and routine training of workers

Broaden community education about cleaning

Policies and Regulations

Tax the bad chemicals