Buyer Beware: Greenwashing is the latest

Whether for personal health or the global environment, more consumers than ever are looking for eco-conscious options. For many, that means buying household products labeled as “organic”, “all-natural”, or “green”, but what many don’t realize is that some “green” products are really not so green.

Read more: http://nvate.com/3894/buyer-beware-greenwashing-is-the-latest-all-natural-snake-oil-scam/

Green Business Means Employee Engagement Training Online

If the predictions are correct, Green Education On Line says by the 2030’s we will need the equivalent of two earths to support us. Why are large corporations adding sustainability to their branding?  

Read more: http://www.environmental-expert.com/articles/green-business-means-employee-engagement-training-online-286986

Dirty Hospitals

Canada has the highest rate of hospital acquired infections in the developed world, and Canada's consumer watchdog wants to know why.

Erica Johnson puts hospital cleanliness to the test, and finds a mess that is making you sick. With hidden cameras, including Canada's first hidden camera glo gel test, insider interviews and expert opinions, Marketplace uncovers why people in Canadian hospitals are too often getting sicker instead of better.

Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/marketplace/2012/dirtyhospitals/

Health Department Compares Soaps And Sanitizers

In an effort to increase proper hand hygiene, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) developed a website that talks about how to best use soap, when to clean and when to sanitize and the difference between antibacterial soap and its standard counterpart.

Read more: http://www.cleanlink.com/news/article.asp?id=14117

Federal Trade Commission is Increasingly Red-lighting "Green Claims" of Marketers

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is increasingly taking a closer look at marketers' "green claims," the Commission has stepped up its search for "unfair, deceptive or unsubstantiated environmental claims" under the mandate of the FTC Act.

Read more: www.marketwatch.com/story/federal-trade-commission-is-increasingly-red-lighting-green-claims-of-marketers-warns-leclairryan-attorney-2012-03-19

Sustainability Now a Strategy, Not Just a Report

It is clear that sustainability has and will continue to rise in importance as mega-trends create pricing pressures on energy and other resources; product safety regulations expand across all regions; financial analysts begin to look at sustainability in company valuations; and stakeholders leverage social media to drive more sustainable behavior.

Read more: www.forbes.com/sites/sap/2012/03/19/sustainability-now-a-strategy-not-just-a-report/

Think green, think business

Can green businesses be profitable and sustainable ? The answer is yes. Green businesses, with careful planning and a robust business plan, can become profitable ventures in the long run. Green entrepreneurs may face initial challenges such as high cost of inputs, lack of data, working with the unorganised sector, etc, which in no way mean that green businesses cannot be profitable ventures that can be sustained. 

Read more: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-03-12/news/31152341_1_business-model-green-businesses-green-products

Stop the Spread!

The SARS epidemic of 2003, which led to 251 cases of the respiratory disease and 44 deaths in Canada, was ultimately traced back to one person. The rapid spread of the disease illustrates the importance of rapid diagnosis of contagious diseases, as well as precautions to contain its spread.

Read more: http://www.montrealgazette.com/story_print.html?id=6304596&sponsor

 

Time for some green cleaning!

After months of bundling up in heavy coats, checking the weather for any impending snow storms, and pretty much hiding out inside until warmer weather hits, it seems as though spring has finally arrived.  Spring cleaning is not something anyone would typically look forward to and jump right into willingly. There are numerous benefits of spring cleaning which will encourage one to clean behind the television set, dust the mini-blinds, and go through that stack of old bills which need to be shredded.

Read more: http://www.examiner.com/sustainable-living-in-philadelphia/time-for-some-green-cleaning

 

Spring Cleaning with Avmor!

Clean, Healthy, Efficient and Green
Spring Cleaning reinforces the importance of a clean, healthy,
and germ-free environment.
Benefits
    °  Improved Indoor Air Quality             
    °  Reduced Levels of Harmful Bacteria
    °  Overall Building Appearance

View flyer: http://www.avmor.com//files/news/enews1331667595.pdf

 

Understanding "Green" Product Labels

How do you decide which cleaning products to use in your home? Clearly the effectiveness of the products we use is important, but what about their impact on the environment? Are you interested in "green" cleaning?

Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/women-co/green-cleaning-products_b_1327388.html

Study Finds Americans Reluctant to Dine at Restaurants Where a Slip-and-Fall Accident Occurred

Each year, more than 3 million food service employees and over 1 million guests are injured as a result of restaurant slips and falls, according to the National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI). A recent NSFI study indicates that the industry spends over $2 billion on such injuries each year and that these injuries are increasing at a rate of about 10 percent annually. A safe floor program helps reduce the opportunity for these accidents by providing restaurants with a program to protect, maintain and deep clean floor surfaces.

Read more: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/study-finds-americans-reluctant-to-dine-at-restaurants-where-a-slip-and-fall-accident-occurred-2012-03-07

Avmor's Quick Stuff Green Cleaning White Paper for Foodservice

According to the Restaurants & Institutions 2007 Tastes of America Study, about 45% of consumers surveyed say it is very important that their restaurants use environmentally preferable cleaning supplies.  Environmentally-preferable cleaning products are proven to be better for the environment and pose fewer health risks for employees and customers.  Avmor’s latest white paper offers the Foodservice industry insights into the benefits of green cleaning, and offers tips for the transition from harsh industrial cleaners to more environmentally-sound products:

o    Look for certified cleaning chemicals by reputable organizations such as the EcoLogo Program, Design for the Environment and Green Seal.  Remember to choose a green cleaning program where materials are biodegradable and meet the highest environmental standards for storage, transportation and disposal.      

o    Choose a green cleaning program that is easy to use and to train your employees.  Tools like concentrated ready-to-use products, and colour-coded products, save time and provide accuracy while cleaning effectively.

o    Conserve water and energy by avoiding single use items, using microfiber mops and rags that require less water, and upgrading to more efficient equipment like low-flow spray valves and Energy Star-rated equipment.  Introducing these types of efficiencies will also contribute to reducing costs associated with energy and water consumption.

A restaurant’s reputation and, ultimately, bottom line depends on cleanliness.  Choosing a green cleaning program that safeguards the health of your employees will help improve productivity, reduce liability and make customers happy.  Read Avmor’s Quick Stuff white paper to learn more.

Cutting costs and reducing the carbon footprint

Growing awareness around sustainability and green initiatives has forced many companies to look over their printing behaviours. While going green may seem like ‘the right thing to do’, social responsibility alone might not be a strong enough driver for sustainability initiatives within organisations. But add the extra bonus of cutting costs at the same time as carbon footprint and the whole idea seems like a no-brainer.

Read more: http://computerworld.co.nz/news.nsf/special/cutting-costs-and-reducing-the-carbon-footprint

10 More Reasons Companies Should Care About Sustainability

In today's increasingly competitive landscape, more and more companies are realizing that being sustainable is more than an environmental gesture—it makes long-term economic sense.

Find out the top 10 reasons companies should care about sustainability:

 http://www.businessinsider.com/the-top-10-benefits-of-convincing-your-company-to-care-about-sustainability-2012-3#ixzz1nymdg9CX