Recycling And Its Benefits

Americans throw away enough office and writing paper each year to build a wall 12-feet high stretching from New York City to Los Angeles. If all that paper were actually recycled, 100 million tons of wood could be saved each year.

Per year, the average American now uses enough energy to release into the atmosphere about 50,000 pounds of carbon dioxide, the major contributor to global warming.

People in the U.S. throw away enough aluminum every three months to rebuild our entire commercial air fleet. Aluminum takes 500 years to break down, but recycling one aluminum can saves enough electricity to run a TV for three hours.

Every day, Americans churn out 3.5 pounds of garbage. If lined up bumper to bumper, a string of garbage trucks hauling the nation's daily waste could reach halfway to the moon.

Recycling helps . . .

• Save Energy - Using energy requires the consumption of non-renewable fossil fuels and contributes to air and water pollution. Manufacturing goods from recycled material uses less energy than making those items from raw natural resources. For example, recycling aluminum takes only 5% of the energy needed to manufacture it from raw material. Overall, recycling saves enough energy each year to provide heat and light for 400,000 homes.
  
  

• Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Three Ways
  

1. Reduce emissions from energy consumption. As stated above, manufacturing from recycled materials requires less energy. When less energy is used, fewer fossil fuels are burned and less carbon dioxide is emitted to the atmosphere.
   
2. Reduce methane emissions from landfills. By diverting organic materials from landfills, we reduce the methane released when these materials decompose.
   
3. Increase storage of carbon in trees. Trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it in wood. Waste prevention and recycling of paper products allow more trees to remain standing in the forest, which helps air quality.

• Reduce Emissions of Air and Water Pollutants - Manufacturing products using virgin materials and disposing of wastes produces 27 different types of pollutants. The recycling process produces these pollutants in smaller quantities.
  
  
• Conserve Natural Resources - Recycling reduces the size of and need for landfills, allowing land to be used in more environmentally preferable ways. In addition, by substituting scrap materials for the use of lumber, metal ores, minerals, oil, and other natural resources, recycling reduces the pressure to expand forestry and mining production.
  
  

The Basics of Recycling in Your Workplace…

Most recycling programs in office buildings consist of (1) collecting recyclable materials such as office papers, cardboard, glass and aluminum and (2) disposing them into the recycling bins at a loading dock or garbage pick-up area.

Any office trash containing discarded food products, sticky pads, or tape is considered non-recyclable, as is trash collected from restrooms and food service facilities.

Normally, someone in your office or building is assigned to oversee this process and ensure recyclables are disposed of properly. With our experience in this area, Advanced Building Maintenance can help you plan, implement, communicate and monitor your program.

You and Your Janitorial Company…

The recycling effort begins with the office tenants who take part in the program. Each person uses two trash containers, one for recyclables and the other for non-recyclables, Advanced Building Maintence personnel circulate the building also

Advanced Building Maintenance takes the trash containers to the garbage pick-up area where we are responsible for placing the recyclable and non-recyclable trash in their appropriate compactors/containers. Usually these are color coded: For example, blue containers are used for the collection of recyclable trash and black for the non-recyclable trash.

Advanced Building Maintenance meets with you on a regular basis, so that our onsite project team can provide ongoing updates on the program.

Recycling, Advanced Building Maintenance and LEED Certification

When ABM is part of your waste recycling efforts, your building is positioned to earn Materials and Resources Credit 5 under the LEED- EBOM Rating System. The intent of this credit is to reduce waste and toxins generated by building occupants and building operations that are hauled to and disposed of in landfills or incineration.

Adding other items to your recycling program - such as raw and mixed metals, plastics, batteries, fluorescent light bulbs, and plastics - furthers your cause. Collecting and recycling 95% of the batteries and fluorescent light bulbs used is a requirement for this credit. Documentation is also required for the percentage of diverted/recycled total waste stream, which is 30-50%, depending on the number of credits you choose to earn in this area

Building Owners, Property Managers and the USGBC

What is the USGBC and LEED certification, and why should you care?

USGBC stands for the United States Green Building Council. It’s a coalition of building industry leaders who came together in 1993 to promote environmentally responsible and profitable buildings that are also healthy plac­es to live and work. The Council then developed the LEED certification program to provide guidelines and recognition for green buildings. LEED means Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. Green means good business.

If you don’t seek LEED certification for your buildings, you could soon face tough competition. Through September 2009, according to the USGBC, about 3,800 projects have received certification, with 8,900 more registered to become certified. Interest in LEED has grown exponentially since 2004. At the same time, more customers have become green savvy, and they expect businesses to show proof of environmental concern.

In order to become certified, a project must provide documentation showing that it meets certain requirements. The USGBC awards points accordingly. The number of points determines the LEED rating:

• Certified: 40-49
• Silver: 50-59
• Gold: 60-79
• Platinum: 80& above
  
  

There are specific rating systems for different types of projects:

LEED-NC
Piloted in 1998 and launched in 2002, LEED for New Construction and Major Renovations is designed for rating new and existing commercial and institutional buildings.

LEED-EB O&M
In 2004, the USGBC first introduced LEED certification for Existing Build­ings, now LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance. The LEED for Existing Buildings Rating System helps building owners and operators measure operations, improvements and maintenance on a consistent scale, with the goal of maximizing operational efficiency while minimizing environmental impacts. LEED for Existing Buildings addresses whole-building cleaning and maintenance issues (including chemical use), recycling programs, exterior maintenance programs, and systems upgrades. Beginning June 27, 2009, all projects registering for LEED for Existing Buildings must do so under the new LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance version.

Other LEED Programs

As LEED-NC and LEED-EB O&M became benchmarks for green buildings nationwide, the USGBC created other LEED certification systems for specific segments of the building industry. They include:

LEED-CI (Commercial Interiors): For the tenant improvement market, provides guidelines for sustainable choices among tenants and designers.

LEED-CS (Core & Shell): For designers, builders, developers and new building owners who wish to implement sustainable design for new core and shell construction.

LEED for Schools: Recognizes the unique nature of the design and construction of K-12 schools. Based on the LEED for New Construction rating system, it addresses issues such as classroom acoustics, master planning, mold prevention and environmental site assessment.

LEED for Retail: Recognizes the unique nature of the retail environment and addresses the different types of spaces that retailers need for their distinctive product lines.

LEED for Healthcare: Developed to meet the unique needs of the health care market, including inpatient care facilities, licensed outpatient care facilities, and licensed long term care facilities.

LEED for Homes: Promotes the design and construction of high-performance green homes.

LEED for Neighborhood Development: Integrates the principles of smart growth, urbanism and green building into the first national system for neighborhood design.

The USGBC also developed LEED certification programs for specific buildings, such as schools, retail and healthcare. LEED is moving into the housing industry too: LEED programs for homes and neighborhoods are under development.

Learn more about the USGBC.

Benefits of LEED Certification

1. Becoming LEED certified is good business.

LEED certified buildings enjoy government incentives, marketing benefits and increased property values.

Going green also reduces costs to building management and tenants, including costs associated with sick leave, health care, productivity loss and litigation. In addition, energy and lifecycle costs savings for buildings with LEED certification are documented in USGBC case studies.

2. LEED buildings are healthier.

LEED standards create improved indoor air quality and reduce potential health problems, especially allergies and other sensitivities.

3. Healthier environments increase productivity.

Healthier employees mean happier employees. Statistics show increased worker satisfaction, improved morale, reduced absenteeism, and increased productivity.

4. Green buildings help the earth.

Green programs can reduce the negative effect buildings and operations have on the environment: air and water pollution, ozone depletion and global climate change. Green practices conserve energy, promote recycling, reduce the use of raw materials and minimize the use of toxic products requiring disposal.

5. Going green increases the safety of the building and protects property values.

While the crux of going green is about reducing health risks -- for humans and other living things -- the process provides other benefits to the facility. Green procedures actually reduce the likelihood and frequency of fires, explosions, spills and splashes.

In addition, green cleaning calls for environmentally friendly and correctly diluted products and the right product for each job. This means, for example, that stains on carpets or upholstery are treated with the mildest, effective cleaner, thereby prolonging the life of expensive furnishings and reducing exposure to harsher chemicals.

GREEN CLEANING AND LEED CERTIFICATION

When it comes to greening your cleaning operations, LEED certification requires much more than just switching from traditional to green cleaning chemicals. According to the USGBC, LEED-EB O&M focuses on seven major areas, each with their own certification standards and best practices.

1. Facility Cleaning & Maintenance, including Chemicals
2. Indoor Air Quality
3. Energy Efficiency
4. Water Efficiency
5. Recycling Programs
6. Exterior Maintenance Programs
7. Systems Upgrades

By implementing the ABM Green Clean™ program, your building can earn up to 14 points toward LEED certification in the Existing Building: Operations & Maintenance category. Advanced Building Maintenance can also help you with the stringent LEED documentation requirements.

Go Green: Cleaning Options Makes It Easy

If you want to go green, cleaning offered through the ABM Green Clean™ program will help you become "Squeaky Green And Clean".

You can begin by switching to healthier cleaning products and methods, including environmentally friendly carpet cleaning. Whatever options you choose from the many we offer, ABM Green Clean is the eco-friendly way to take care of your facility and its occupants.

Go green with cleaning chemicals. Replacing traditional cleaning chemicals is a simple way to make your surroundings healthier without increasing costs.

ABM Green Cleaning uses private label Green Seal certified or environmentally preferable products (or similar products of your choice).

We only employ chemicals proven to clean effectively, while gentle to people and the environment. In addition, our green cleaning methods include the use of concentrated formulas and proper onsite dilution. Concentrated chemicals come in smaller containers for less waste and easier shipping (less fuel).

You can also go green with cleaning supplies and tools. Microfiber dusting cloths and flat mops outperform traditional materials and can often be used to remove soils without the need for chemical compounds. Microfiber captures and removes pollutants instead of just moving them around. This miracle of technology can be laundered and reused, minimizing waste.

To enhance your green program, Advanced Building Maintenance recommends paper products (e.g., paper towels, tissue) that are bleached without the use of chlorine or its derivatives and meet Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards for recycled content.

For companies desiring to go green, cleaning options from Advanced Building Maintenance and the benefits of eco-friendly cleaning please call Brian harrod at (203) 559-2555.

ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY CARPET CLEANING MEANS LONGER CARPET LIFE

For environmentally friendly carpet cleaning, ABM prefers Carpet & Rug Institute approved (“Green Label”) vacuum cleaners. These highly efficient, pollutant-capturing vacuums improve indoor air quality. They also increase the life span of carpets. Another environmentally friendly carpet cleaning option includes the use of carpet extractors that reduce water consumption.

Green Care can help you efficiently go green. Cleaning strategies -- from environmentally friendly carpet cleaning to complete janitorial and maintenance services -- used in our program are proven to yield optimal results. Contact us about ABM Green Clean today.

Green Products And Equipment And Their Benefits

Thinking of implementing a green cleaning program? Here's a list of products and equipment to consider using. To make it easy for you, the ABM Green Clean program can provide some or all of these items, depending on your needs and goals. Plus, we offer expert green cleaning services using our proven processes to ensure your green program's success.

Environmentally friendly cleaning chemicals.

• General purpose, washroom, glass, and carpet cleaning products that meet Green Seal's Standard for Industrial and Institutional Cleaners (GS-37). These will clean effectively while helping to reduce toxic pollution and waste, conserve resources and habitats, and minimize global warming and ozone depletion.
  
  

Hand soaps that do not contain antimicrobial agents (e.g., triclosan).

• Except where required by law or regulations (i.e., healthcare or food preparation), employing a strong antibiotic agent such as triclosan for everyday use is not recommended. It kills some of the harmful microscopic organisms, but it also destroys beneficial bacteria. These friendly bacteria are necessary in our bodies and environment; for example, they aid metabolism and inhibit the invasion of harmful pathogens.
• Also, the safety of triclosan has been questioned. While the companies that manufacturer products containing this chemical claim that it is safe, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has registered it as a pesticide. The EPA gives triclosan high scores both as a human health risk and as an environmental risk.
  
  

Source: http://www.health-report.co.uk/triclosan.html

Microfiber dusting cloths and flat mops.

• Microfiber material used in mops and dust cloths have microscopic "hooks" that act as claws, scraping up and holding dust and dirt. The material is very effective for cleaning, because the fibers quickly and easily capture dirt rather than just moving it around. Microfiber, which can absorb up to 7 times its weight in water, is sometimes described as having a magnetic attraction to dirt and dust.
• Cleaning with microfiber products is environmentally friendly because chemical use can be minimized. Microfiber products are lint free, extremely soft and do not scratch surfaces, but at the same time, they are sturdy and tough on dirt. Test results show microfiber can reduce bacteria levels by 96% yet requires less labor.
  
  

Proper door mats and entry systems.

Most pollutants in buildings are brought in from outside and spread throughout, so capturing contaminants at entryways is an easy way to keep the building clean, which in turn, minimizes the use of harsh chemicals and keeps the inside air cleaner. The most effective mats have rubber-reinforced face nubs and a crush-proof waffle design. A raised-rubber "water-dam" border traps dirt and water, keeping carpets and floors clean by working double duty, absorbing water while scraping shoes.

Efficient vacuums and floor care systems.

• Vacuums that have the Carpet & Rug Institute's Green Label certification have gone through a stringent testing process that measures three key performance factors:
  
  

Soil Removal - Must remove a set quantity of soil from carpet in four passes.

• Dust Containment - Must not release more than 100 micrograms of dust particles per cubic meter of air. This protocol evaluates the total amount of dust particles released by the brush rolls, through the filtration bag and via any air leaks from the system, and is more stringent than the National Ambient Air Quality Standards.
  
  

Carpet Appearance Retention - Should not affect the appearance of the carpet more than a one-step change based on one year of normal vacuum use.

• High performance vacuum cleaners have a significant impact on improved indoor air quality (IAQ). At the same time, vacuums that effectively remove and contain soil while keeping the carpet looking good will help carpets last longer. Ultimately, better performing vacuums provide a greater return on investment and ensure a healthier indoor environment.
• Backpack vacuums increase productivity. They've been proven by the International Sanitary Supply Association (ISSA) to double the speed of cleaning versus standard upright vacuums.
• Because vacuums are the most audible of daily cleaning tools, low decibel vacuums are preferred to protect hearing and minimize "noise pollution." The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recommends that cleaning equipment be no louder than 85 decibels. Good vacuums range between 61-80 decibels.
• High-speed burnishers with active vacuum attachments can capture fine particles and save labor costs.
• Carpet extractors and automatic floor scrubbers that reduce water consumption minimize impact on the environment and save costs.
  
  

High efficiency HVAC systems, using HEPA filters

• High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters remove a minimum of 99.97% of contaminants at 0.3 microns in size. In comparison, a human hair is about 60-75 microns in diameter. Particles less than 35 microns can't be seen with the naked eye. Pollen is in the 10-100 micron range, with dust at .5-5 microns. Particles under 5 microns can penetrate deep into the lungs.
  
  

Wise lighting solutions

• Newer designs in lightbulbs, especially florescent, can reduce energy consumption by up to 75%.
• Occupancy sensors turn lights off automatically when no one is in a room.
• Daylighting uses natural light to illuminate buildings and is the most economical and environmentally responsible lighting technique available today. It:
  • Saves money on energy bills
  • Makes a statement that you care about the environment
  • Helps people and organizations succeed: Shoppers linger longer and buy more, students do better on tests, and offices experience less absenteeism.
    
    

Recycled paper products, such as tissue and paper towels.

These should meet EPA's Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines and Green Seal's Standards for Tissue (GS-1) and Towels (GS-9) for recycled content in janitorial paper products bleached without the use of harmful chlorine or its derivatives.

Environmentally preferable paper dispensing systems.

• Products dispensed from large rolls minimize packaging and waste. Folded paper towels are discouraged.
• "Hands-free" paper towel dispensers reduce the potential for cross-contamination, control the amount of paper used, minimize waste and reduce maintenance time.
  
  

This list is not all-inclusive. Advanced Building Maintenance can design a program that addresses your specific needs, even if they are unusual or challenging.

Green Glossary: Definitions of Common Terms in the Field of Green Cleaning

Antimicrobial agents: A general term for drugs, chemicals, or other substances that either kill or slow the growth of microbes. In most green cleaning situations, a particular chemical called triclosan is to be avoided. Triclosan, used for its antibacterial properties, is an ingredient in many detergents, dish-washing liquids, and soaps, and an additive in various plastics and textiles. However, the safety of triclosan has been questioned. While the companies that manufacture products containing this chemical claim that it is safe, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has registered it as a pesticide. The EPA gives triclosan high scores both as a human health risk and as an environmental risk.

Employing a strong antibiotic agent such as triclosan for everyday use is of questionable value, as it takes a shotgun approach to killing all microscopic organisms while also destroying the beneficial bacteria in the environment and in our bodies. These friendly bacteria cause no harm, and often produce beneficial effects, such as aiding metabolism and inhibiting the invasion of the harmful pathogens.

Source: http://www.health-report.co.uk/triclosan.html
Source: http://www.lindachae.com/triclosan.htm

Cross-contamination: The spreading of bacteria among people, food, surfaces, and/or equipment. Proper cleaning processes can prevent this.

Daylighting: Daylighting uses natural light to illuminate buildings. Rather than relying on banks of fluorescent lights, daylighting brings indirect sunlight deep into a building, connecting people to the rhythms of nature while providing pleasing illumination at a fraction of the cost of even the most efficient electric lights.

Daylighting is the most economical and environmentally responsible lighting technique available today. It:

• Saves money on energy bills
• Makes a statement --- that you care about the environment

• Helps people and organizations succeed:
  
  • Shoppers linger longer and buy more
  • Students do better on tests
  • Office workers are absent less often

Source: http://www.daylighting.org

EPA: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Its mission is to protect human health and the environment.

Green cleaning: Cleaning to protect health without harming the environment.

Green Label: The Carpet and Rug Institute's certification program for vacuum cleaners.
To qualify for the Green Label, vacuums must go through a stringent testing process that measures three key performance factors:

• Soil Removal - The vacuum must remove a set quantity of soil from carpet in four passes.
• Dust Containment - The vacuum must not release more than 100 micrograms of dust particles per cubic meter of air. This protocol evaluates the total amount of dust particles released by the brush rolls, through the filtration bag and via any air leaks from the system, and is more stringent than the National Ambient Air Quality Standards.
• Carpet Appearance Retention - The vacuum should not affect the appearance of the carpet more than a one-step change based on one year of normal vacuum use.
  
  

High performance vacuum cleaners have a significant impact on improved indoor air quality (IAQ). At the same time, vacuums that effectively remove and contain soil while keeping the carpet looking good will help carpets last longer. Ultimately, better performing vacuums provide a greater return on investment and ensure a healthier indoor environment.

Source: The Carpet and Rug Institute, http://www.carpet-rug.com/

Green Seal: A widely recognized green product certification. The Green Seal organization, is "an independent, non-profit organization that strives to achieve a healthier and cleaner environment by identifying and promoting products and services that cause a less toxic pollution and waste, conserve resources and habitats, and minimize global warming and ozone depletion. Green Seal has no financial interest in the products that it certifies or recommends nor in any manufacturer or company."

Green Seal Certified Products - The Green Seal is awarded to products that have less impact on the environment and work well. To earn the Green Seal a product must meet the Green Seal environmental standard for the category as demonstrated by rigorous evaluation, testing and a plant visit.

Green Seal Recommended Products - Green Seal publishes reports of product recommendations to provide guidance for institutional purchasers. The recommendations are based on a careful environmental screening of available information on products currently on the market. The recommended products appear to meet the prerequisites for being environmentally responsible based on data provided by their manufacturers. Recommended products have not gone through Green Seal's formal certification process.

Source: http://www.greenseal.org

Greenhouse gas emissions: Greenhouse gasses are primarily carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, which are naturally occurring. However, through population growth, fossil fuel burning, and deforestation, people and businesses are affecting the mixture of gases in the atmosphere. Plus, a variety of industrial processes now emit very powerful greenhouse gases that are not naturally occurring -- these include hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6). According to the EPA, the heat-trapping property of greenhouse gases is undisputed although uncertainties exist about exactly how the earth's climate responds to them. There is new and stronger evidence that most of the global warming over the last 50 years is attributable to human activities.

Source: http://yosemite.epa.gov/OAR/globalwarming.nsf/content/index.html

Green Care: A customizable green cleaning and maintenance program from ABM. Learn more about Green Care.

HEPA: High Efficiency Particulate Air filters used in HVAC systems, vacuum cleaners, etc. A HEPA filter removes a minimum of 99.97% of contaminants at 0.3 microns in size. In comparison, a human hair is about 60-75 microns in diameter. Particles less than 35 microns can't be seen with the naked eye. Pollen is in the 10-100 micron range, with dust in the .5-5 micron range. Particles under 5 microns can to penetrate deep into the lungs.

IAQ: Indoor Air Quality. An important environmental consideration, because people spend approximately 90 percent of our time indoors. Common factors that affect IAQ are:

• People (exhalation, body odors, diseases)
• Activities (work such as cleaning, using correction fluids, carbonless paper, pest control products, and personal activities such as wearing fragrances and smoking)
• Technology (photocopiers and laser printers)
• Furnishings (furniture, draperies, floor coverings)
• Finishes (paint, varnish, vinyl wall coverings)
• Building materials (caulking compounds, adhesives, wood laminates)
• Outdoor air quality
• Inadequate or contaminated air handling units
• Inadequate cleaning practices
  

Source: The Carpet and Rug Institute, http://www.carpet-rug.com/

HVAC: Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning. Using efficient systems and keeping them maintained are important to a green program.

LEED: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System® created by the USGBC (United States Green Building Council). LEED was created to:

• Define "green building" by establishing a common standard of measurement
• Promote integrated, whole-building design practices
• Recognize environmental leadership in the building industry
• Stimulate green competition
• Raise consumer awareness of green building benefits
• Transform the building market.

LEED-NC: LEED for New Construction and Major Renovations. LEED-NC was launched in 2002. LEED-NC is a green rating system for new and existing commercial and institutional buildings.

LEED-EBOM: LEED for Existing Buildings. In 2004, the USGBC first introduced LEED certification for Existing Build­ings, now LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance. The LEED for Existing Buildings Rating System helps building owners and operators measure operations, improvements and maintenance on a consistent scale, with the goal of maximizing operational efficiency while minimizing environmental impacts. LEED for Existing Buildings addresses whole-building cleaning and maintenance issues (including chemical use), recycling programs, exterior maintenance programs, and systems upgrades. Beginning September 1, 2008, all projects registering for LEED for Existing Buildings must do so under the new LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance version.

LEED-CI: LEED for Commercial Interiors is the green benchmark for the tenant improvement market. Launched in 2005, LEED-CI is the recognized standard for certifying high-performance green interiors that are healthy, productive places to work, are less costly to operate and maintain, and reduce environmental footprint.

LEED-CS: LEED for Core and Shell Development. LEED-CS is currently a pilot program for designers, builders, developers and new building owners who address sustainable design for new core and shell construction. Broadly defined, core and shell construction covers base building elements, such as the structure, envelope and building-level systems, such as central HVAC, etc. The CS product recognizes that the division between owner and tenant responsibility for certain elements of the building varies between markets.

Source: http://www.usgbc.org

Life-Cycle Cost: The analysis of the costs of a system or a component over its entire life span. Typical costs for a system may include:

• Acquisition costs (or design and development costs)
• Operating costs:
  • Cost of failures
  • Cost of repairs
  • Cost for spares
  • Downtime costs
  • Loss of production
• Disposal costs
  
  

Source: http://www.weibull.com/

Example: Life-cycle cost analysis of two light bulbs
Assuming each light operates 1,400 hours per year (about four hours per day):

	Compact 15-Watt Fluorescent Bulb		Incandescent 60 Watt Bulb
Initial cost	$7.00		$0.25
Annual operation	1.26		7.03
7-year life cost*	7.94		44.29
Life cycle cost	14.94		44.54
*taking inflation into account

Microfiber: Textiles developed through new technology making them even finer than silk. The material used in cleaning products, such as mops and dust cloths, is a blend of microscopic polyester and polyamide fibers, split to create microscopic "hooks." These hooks act as claws, scraping up and holding dust, dirt, and grime. Microfiber is very effective for cleaning, because the fibers quickly and easily capture dirt rather than just moving it around. Microfiber, which can absorb up to 7 times its weight in water, is sometimes described as having a magnetic attraction to dirt and dust. Cleaning with microfiber products is environmentally friendly because chemical use can be minimized. Microfiber products are extremely soft, they do not scratch surfaces, but at the same time they are sturdy and tough on dirt.

MSDS: Material Safety Data Sheet Written information on a product that reflects the hazards of working with the material in an occupational fashion. An MSDS is designed to provide both workers and emergency personnel with the proper procedures for handling or working with a particular substance. The sheet includes information such as physical data (melting point, boiling point, flash point etc.), toxicity, health effects, first aid, reactivity, storage, disposal, protective equipment, andspill/leak procedures.

OSHA: The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration and its regulations requiring employers to protect the health and safety of their employees through training, use of certain procedures (including personal protection), development of emergency plans, and more.

Ozone depletion: The destruction of the stratospheric ozone layer, which shields the earth from harmful amounts of ultraviolet radiation. Ozone depletion is caused by the breakdown of certain chlorine- and/or bromine-containing compounds (chloroflurocarbons, or CFCs, and halons) when they reach the stratosphere and quickly destroy ozone molecules.

Postconsumer materials: Materials that have served their intended use as a consumer item and have been diverted or recovered from waste destined for disposal. Used in recycling and part of the broader category of "recovered materials."

Recovered materials: Materials that have been recovered or diverted from solid waste to be recycled for other use.

Recycled content: The amount or percent of recovered materials that a finished product contains.

USGBC: The United States Green Building Council is "a coalition of leaders from across the building industry working to promote buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work." To do this, the USGBC developed the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System®.

Source: http://www.usgbc.org/

VOC: Volatile Organic Compounds contained in some cleaning products. VOCs can escape during product use and have been linked to smog formation. Green cleaning process help minimize VOCs in the environment