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29. Potentially hazardous products such as paints, solvents and cleaners are safely stored and disposed of properly.
Employee safety starts with eliminating exposure to hazardous and toxic materials. Safely storing such materials reduces the chances of accidents, spills and ongoing exposure. It also protects your employees and prevents costly clean-ups. The materials your business generates every day may be considered hazardous waste. Metro provides a list of common hazardous products that you might find in your workplace.
Ask Metro, 503-234-3000, for referrals on any recycling and disposal options, including hazardous waste. Oregon’s Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) also provides assistance in determining what is and what is not regulated as hazardous waste in Oregon, as well as whether businesses qualify as Very Small Quantity Generator (VSQG). DEQ’s fact sheet is a handy resource.
30. Electronics are donated or recycled properly.
It’s illegal to throw away broken or outdated electronics. The Oregon E-Cycles Program is a free, easy, and environmentally responsible recycling program for computers, monitors, TVs, printers, keyboards and computer mice. This program is financed by electronics manufacturers and jointly implemented by Oregon DEQ. Other electronics are recyclable as well, so we encourage you to set up a collection program at your business and check Find a Recycler or ask us for referrals to recycling businesses.
31. Third-party-certified green cleaners are used and, if applicable, specified in janitorial contracts (except where required differently by health code regulations).
Ingredients found in many commercial cleaning products are potentially harmful to human health and the environment. Some employees may also react to fragrances and colored dyes used in soaps or other products to clean public spaces. The most hazardous cleaning products may be associated with higher risks of cancer, reproductive disorders, skin and eye irritation and respiratory ailments. Products with safer impacts on health, safety and the environment are more readily available than ever before.
However, many manufacturers promote their products as “green” even when, in fact, their products may be hazardous to human health and ecosystems. Making matters worse is that there are several existing certification programs with widely varying standards, making it difficult for consumers to distinguish between truly green products and simple greenwashing .
The three most credible independent certification programs for green cleaners are Green Seal, Safer Choice, and EcoLogo . Look for these logos on all of the cleaning products used in your business or by your janitorial company. If you find products that are not certified by one of these programs, each of these certification programs has a searchable database that will help you find alternative products. (Note: Health code regulations sometimes dictate the use of cleaners that do not have third-party certified green alternatives. In such instances, less toxic alternatives may still be available.)
If you use a janitorial service, ask them about the products they use and whether they offer non-toxic alternatives. If your business leases its space and does not have control of the janitorial contract, consider talking to your building property manager about making a change. We can also help by talking to your property manager about the need for this action as part of your certification in Leaders in Sustainability.
But why stop there? There is more to green cleaning than just switching products. Training custodial staff and modifying cleaning protocols can make a big difference in the effectiveness of a green cleaning program. Look holistically at your program, and consider things like switching to reusable cleaning cloths and gloves if possible, and other waste prevention methods.
32. Fluorescent tubes and CFL bulbs are safely stored and properly recycled.
Fluorescent lighting, including tube-style and CFLs, have mercury in them, so it’s very important to dispose of them safely. They should not go into your mixed recycling or garbage! If your facilities manager or lighting contractor doesn’t handle burned-out bulbs, check our resources for recycling locations where you can drop them off or to find companies that can pick them up.
Mercury is a heavy metal that harms the brain, live and kidneys, and it can cause developmental disorders in children. Improperly sending burned-out fluorescent lamps to the landfill instead of to a hazardous waste facility can lead to contaminated air, water and soil, accumulating in the food web. Careless clean-up of a mercury spill can put you at risk, so learn how to safely handle mercury .
33. An Integrated Pest Management Plan is followed to minimize chemical use for pests and landscapes.
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a long-term form of pest control that uses a combination of pest management practices, not just spraying pesticides and herbicides, in order to minimize hazards to people, property and ecosystems. It does oftentimes still involve spraying, but it is done judiciously, with methods and materials that minimize collateral impacts. An IPM plan standardizes how pesticides are managed, tracked and reported in order to minimize the use of toxic products on properties. It creates standards for product procurement, handling and usage, and it establishes a framework for providing Integrated Pest Management training and education, equipping staff with best management practices. The EPA offers useful information on the topic of IPM.
34. EcoBiz-certified companies are used for landscaping and/or auto repair.
EcoBiz is an environmental certification program that recognizes Oregon businesses and agencies that work hard to protect the environment by preventing pollution and conserving resources. Their map is an easy way to find local landscaping and automotive companies that have been trained and third-party-certified to ensure they are following the best practices for each industry including Integrated Pest Management and designing landscapes that make use of native plants to reduce water use and costs. If you are a fleet shop, or if you maintain your own vehicles, you can download an application or request a free on-site meeting .
Oregon Tilth provides educational resources, on-site and accreditation training, workshops, technical visits and networking opportunities to professionals who are interested in practicing organic land care techniques. Visit Oregon Tilth for more information on their programs and a listing of accredited landscaping companies .
35. A chemical assessment is conducted annually to identify and eliminate potentially hazardous or toxic chemicals, including on-site and in our supply chain.
Evaluating the products used and then finding less toxic alternatives can benefit your business in a number of ways. Using chemicals that support Green Chemistry can help you stay in environmental compliance, reduce the risks of pollution and worker exposure, and reduce your costs related to disposal, transportation regulations and engineering controls.
When there are chemicals used in your operations that may result in harm to human and/or environmental health, consider eliminating the chemical and replacing it with a quality, affordable, safer and more sustainable alternative. If you currently do not have a well-established list of chemicals of high concern, a purchasing policy could specify that the following types of chemicals be avoided:
- Persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic chemicals (PBTs)
- Carcinogens and reproductive toxicants, as listed by the State of California
- Halogenated flame retardants
- Phthalates, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), bisphenol-A, latex and mercury
- Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
Many chemical supply companies offer free technical assistance in phasing out chemicals of concern and providing alternatives for your cleaning needs. The Washington Department of Ecology offers many tools that provide detailed information on chemical hazards and assessment of alternatives. These tools include Green Screen, developed by Clean Production Action as a very comprehensive chemical hazard assessment method, and a Quick Chemical Assessment Tool, which is a simpler alternative for small businesses that want to conduct hazard assessments of their products and chemicals.
DEQ also has tips on how to eliminate and phase out chemicals of concern and a list of 51 chemicals or groups that threaten the health of people and the environment and recommends using these tools to help with the process: IC2 Alternatives Assessment Guide and Washington Alternatives Assessment Guide .
Relevant Article: Benchmarking to Advance Safer Chemicals Management
