Comments on: Mr. Clean or Mr. Green?

By: Ted Mininni

Ted Mininni — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 11:25:01 +0000

Software Dr.,
Thanks for sending us information on Mary Kay’s move to become a greener company. Many mainstream businesses in numerous industries are doing this. It makes sense on many levels, doesn’t it? As some DF readers have pointed out, consumers are somewhat skeptical about “green” claims some companies make. That makes it imperative for them to be transparent and scrupulously honest about everything they’re doing. Otherwise, the push-back will be enormous. Trust is important here.
Thanks for adding your thoughts to this post. I appreciate it.

By: Software Dr.

Software Dr. — Sat, 30 May 2009 04:31:49 +0000

I was not been aware of the strides put forth by S.C. Johnson to be green both in the way they operate their business but to also to the environment as well. That is quite a feat, Kudos to them. I guess it makes sense that they would introduce a line of green cleaners. I heard that the Mary Kay corporation was trying to be 'greener'/ http://www.greenerideal.com/business/mary-kay-cosmetics-launches-pink-going-green/

By: Neil Anuskiewicz

Neil Anuskiewicz — Thu, 28 May 2009 17:25:42 +0000

Yes, I agree there is a place for bleach in places where there could be pathogens.

By: Ted Mininni

Ted Mininni — Thu, 28 May 2009 16:04:08 +0000

I don’t disagree with you for the most part, Neil. But take the time to read Debbie Teter’s comments above because she makes some excellent points that we ought to take into account, as well.
As always, I appreciate your insights, Neil.

By: Neil Anuskiewicz

Neil Anuskiewicz — Thu, 28 May 2009 15:24:21 +0000

My think that green = health in many cases.
For extreme cases, think of toxic chemicals that have found there way into products or food. The same thing but smaller amounts of toxins over a longer period of time happen with toxic cleaners and the like.
It sort of like smoking: few people get a life threatening illness from their first cigarette. It is years and years of smoking that usually hurt.
Same with toxins, unless the amount is large as we have seen in extreme cases…

By: Ted Mininni

Ted Mininni — Thu, 28 May 2009 13:51:24 +0000

Thanks to everybody for adding more dimensions to this conversation.
Agreed, Neil, wherever possible using non-toxic cleaners make the air inside our homes safer and might cut down on allergies and even asthma problems. There is a need for cleaners like bleach as Debbie pointed out, as well. We have to balance our need for a clean home environment with less toxicity but we also need to eradicate dangerous bacteria, as well. Consumers can make wise choices when they educate themselves about their options.

By: Neil Anuskiewicz

Neil Anuskiewicz — Thu, 28 May 2009 00:38:07 +0000

I agree with what you are saying above. Another thing that is good about natural cleaners is they are healthier to use inside. I do not understand why people would want to use toxic chemicals.
Most people care about their own health and the health of their family and pets.

By: Claire Ratushny

Claire Ratushny — Wed, 27 May 2009 18:05:10 +0000

Debbie,
As far as natural products are concerned, tea tree oil is antiseptic, germicidal, antibacterial and acts as an effective fungicide, as well. While personal care products are available in this country, cleaning products are still not imported into the U.S. as far as I know. In Australia, where a great deal of tea tree oil is sourced, TT cleaning products are staples. You might want to research this by contacting some tea tree oil companies like Thursday Plantation to find out whether stronger extracts of pure tea tree oil might be used for the applications you’re interested in. Since much of the oil is diluted for personal use, I question whether they’re strong enough, but they just might be. I’m a firm believer in the product. I use TT mouthwash since it doesn’t contain alcohol (a carcinogen) like commercial products do, for example. Love the soap. It kills bacteria, prohibits acne and blackheads even on sensitive skin. Great for kids with athelete’s foot or for women who experience candida outbreaks, etc.
Good luck, Debbie. I sincerely hope this helps you.

By: Ted Mininni

Ted Mininni — Wed, 27 May 2009 17:51:29 +0000

You’ve added an important dimension to this conversation, Debbie. One I hadn’t brought up. There is a place for some chemicals–including bleach–because of the need to kill harmful agents like e coli. In fact, Clorox has launched a new site http://www.factsaboutbleach.com/ to educate consumers about these issues.
I am not aware of any natural product as efficacious as bleach to kill TB. Perhaps some of our readers are. Please feel free to answer Debbie’s inquiry if you have information for her on this, DF readers.
Thanks, Debbie, for adding balance to this discussion. Much appreciated.

By: Debbie Teter

Debbie Teter — Wed, 27 May 2009 17:40:30 +0000

I don’t have a specific company to recommend but need a specific product. I am the marketing director for Wildwood CACFP, part of our mission is to train child care providers in areas of nutrition and food safety.
Chlorine Bleach is the ONLY product approved for use by child care providers in our Universal Precautions Training (Preventing the spread of infectious disease)- So far no green products are available that can match the effectivness of Chlorine Bleach. 7th Gen bleach is Hydrogen based, when I contacted their product development department I was told it has not been compared to chlorine based bleach and the testing is too expensive. Shaklee’s closest product is the closest but does not kill TB – which is on an upswing in the U.S. Both products lead the consumer to believe they are just as effective.
The misrepresentation of these products can lead to a disaster. (Last year in Denver a child died of e-coli poisoning from improper sanitization at an unlicensed home)
Any help on finding a producdt that provides the same results as chlorine bleach without the toxicity would be great.

By: Ted Mininni

Ted Mininni — Wed, 27 May 2009 17:03:25 +0000

Hi Paul,
Thanks for sharing this information with DF readers. It’s terrific. As you point out, a shift in our thinking is helping manufacturers create many innovative and exciting new consumer products in many categories. Not just cleaners.
DF readers: are you aware of any other new consumer products you’d like us to know about? Please let us know.

By: Ted Mininni

Ted Mininni — Wed, 27 May 2009 16:59:24 +0000

Emily,
You raise many valid concerns. Skepticism is natural.Many consumers are wary about the green claims made by chemical companies when they launch new environmentally responsible cleaners. With good reason. However, companies like SC Johnson and Clorox, for example, know that the future will belong to greener products. Just want to point out that SC Johnson as a manufacturer has made great strides in conserving energy and the environment and they have been pretty transparent about it. I do believe they’re serious about evolving as a company. For that reason, I believe their new products deserve consumer consideration.
It will be interesting to see whether a company like this dares to change its formulas in its high volume brands over time. Or whether they’ll leave them alone since they have many loyal consumers behind them. As you pointed out, Emily, consumers have many choices today: Seventh Generation, Method among them. And these brands have been firmly rooted in sustainability from the beginning and from top to bottom. Let’s just hope we can clean up the harsher chemicals over time so that we and our children can breathe easier.
Thanks for weighing in, Emily. You spoke for a great number of consumers today.

By: Paul Barsch

Paul Barsch — Wed, 27 May 2009 16:46:56 +0000

Ted, Broad Air Conditioning of China is one to watch. The Climate group cites that, “BROAD avoids the mainstream electric air conditioning market and specializes in non-electric chillers using clean energy and natural refrigerant. Compared with conventional electric air conditioning, BROAD non-electric air conditioning is 200% more energy efficient, while its CO2 emissions are 4 times lower.”
I have seen them profiled in a Discovery Channel documentary on Chinese companies. They are a great case on innovative and environmentally responsible practices.

By: Emily Brackett

Emily Brackett — Wed, 27 May 2009 16:27:24 +0000

Yes, I’m aware that the shelf space of green cleaners is growing. As I’m at the store choosing, I’m wondering if these new products (from the large mainstream manufacturers) really are safer for the environment or if they are just using branding elements from the true green products to make their own look safer?
That’s what I question, and why I end up with the pioneers such as Seventh Generation, because I trust that they have the environment as their number one priority. The others do not completely have that priority, otherwise they would eliminate their other harmful products from their product line.
However, I imagine many other consumers will feel more comfortable with a known company rather than a more obscure one.