There is a need for clarity in our industry because most people do not know the difference between such words as biodegradable, sustainable, organic, or green.  In the many demands of keeping up to business, it is easy to allow the technolgy to freewheel among various self-appointed advocates.

Biodegradable refers to the breakdown of any product into inert matter after time.  The period of time for this process can be 90 days or 5 years.  While both eventually break down, there is a difference.  Sustainable questions the ability of any process to continue considering the resources available or the impact of of the process on the environment.

Many equate organic with Green.  This can happen, but they are not the same concept.  Organic means that the product is made of natural resources rather than a synthetic.  Green refers to the health impact of any product or process on humans, pets, and living things.  An example of a non-Green, but organic, things could be poison ivy, the sap of a hemlock tree, or black mold in a home.  These are natural and organic but harmful to human and animal life.

Green has been interpreted many ways. Words like "Eco" and "Eco-Friendly" are used so loosely that they are almost meaningless.  Therefore, it is very important that we do not dilute, twist, or misrepresent the definition of Green.  Green equals health protected, nurtured, and  integrated into our daily  practices.   "Green Clean" is a subdivsion of "Green" localizing the actions and products used in a facility that also impact the immediate and long-term health of the building inhabitants.

Those wishing to be "Certifiably Green Clean™" undergo a Green Audit to evaluate the health implications from known to our industry.  The EPA offers its own version of approval, but does not fit into the needs of all business applications.  Using known metrics, a Green Audit will review, document, evaluate, and determine whether a service or product is a Green Clean project.