Green cleaning
Encyclopedia
Green cleaning refers to using cleaning methods and products with environmentally-friendly ingredients to preserve human health and environmental quality. Green cleaning techniques and products avoid the use of chemically-reactive and toxic cleaning products which contain various toxic chemicals, some of which emit volatile organic compounds causing respiratory and dermatological problems among other adverse effects. Green cleaning can also describe the way residential and industrial cleaning products are manufactured, packaged and distributed. If the manufacturing process is environmentally-friendly and the products are biodegradable, then the term "green" or "eco-friendly" may apply. Green cleaning is behavioral as well as simply using healthy and environmentally-friendly products. Consumers are being made aware of the ways in which green cleaning is most-effectively used.
's (EPA) Design for the Environment program which labels products that meet EPA's criteria for chemicals. These products are allowed to carry the Design for the Environment (DfE) label
. Generally, products which are labelled 'low' or 'zero' VOC [volatile organic compound] are safer for human and animal health in the home as well as the environment.
Product labeling programs
Among the product-labeling programs is the United States Environmental Protection AgencyUnited States Environmental Protection Agency
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is an agency of the federal government of the United States charged with protecting human health and the environment, by writing and enforcing regulations based on laws passed by Congress...
's (EPA) Design for the Environment program which labels products that meet EPA's criteria for chemicals. These products are allowed to carry the Design for the Environment (DfE) label
Design for Environment
Design for the Environment Program is a United States Environmental Protection Agency program, created in 1992, that works to prevent pollution, and the risk pollution presents to humans and the environment. The EPA DfE program provides information regarding safer electronics, safer flame...
. Generally, products which are labelled 'low' or 'zero' VOC [volatile organic compound] are safer for human and animal health in the home as well as the environment.