Note: This is a historical bulletin and not updated, please see our page on Environmentally Preferable Cleaners for more up-to-date information.
The cleaners we use in our homes and offices can be harmful to our health and our environment. In recent years, the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the Washington State Department of Ecology, the Washington Toxics Coalition, the King County Local Hazardous Waste Management Program, and many others have been developing awareness of the consequences of the use of hazardous cleaning products.
Some of the attributes of cleaners that have been examined by these groups include:
Irritation potential Chronic health risks Biodegradation Bioconcentration Levels of volatile organic compounds (VOC's) Flammability Product packaging Ozone depletion potential Risks of cosmetic additives Energy efficiency
As information about the risks that may be posed by cleaning products has become available, consumers have begun to explore their opportunities to use less harmful cleaning products. As a result, the cleaning-products industry has begun to produce new products that are less harmful to human health and the environment. Many of the users of these new products report that performance can be equal, or even superior, to conventional products. Some have even experienced fewer injury-claims, saving worker-health and expense. In addition, these new products often come in concentrated form which requires less packaging and can be more cost effective.
This area is still very new, but there is a growing body of information available on this subject. Today's bulletin contains internet links of projects, specifications and tips for using safer alternatives to toxics, including some case studies of cleaning products that perform well and are economical.
Environmentally Preferable Cleaners (Resources)
The following list contains the names of only a few vendors whose environmentally preferable cleaning products have come to our attention. This list is not intended to be a complete reference, merely a starting-place and should not be considered an endorsement by the County. We encourage you to provide us with contact information for other vendors.
Please contact the above agencies or vendors for more information. Additional references are welcomed.
Environmental Purchasing Program
The King County Environmental Purchasing Program assists County agencies in implementation of King County Executive Policy CON-7-1-2, which requires agencies to use recycled and other environmentally preferable products "wherever practicable."
The program assembles information about these products and makes it available to specific agency users who can evaluate them and attempt to develop applications in County projects.
These procurement bulletins contain information about the results of product evaluations and other accomplishments of County agencies. We hope this information will help you find ways to use recycled materials in the work of your agency and that you will contact us if we can help you with further information or if you have suggestions.
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Environmental Purchasing Menu | Bulletin List
Updated: October 28, 1998
King County
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