Category: Trends in Sustainability

Oregon Bans PFAS in Cosmetics and Personal Care Products

Oregon has joined a growing number of states to ban per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in cosmetics and personal care products. The “Toxic-Free Cosmetics” bill that passed the state legislature this week prohibits all PFAS and seven other chemicals from cosmetic and personal care products sold in the state beginning in 2027.

New Research Identifies How Green-Certified Hotels Can Boost Bookings

A new study finds there are two key methods hotels can use to successfully convert their green certification credentials into more bookings. Green Seal-certified hotels are well positioned to capitalize on this by communicating the features of their certification, like meeting leadership standards for recycling, energy use, water use, HVAC maintenance, and sustainable purchasing, among other criteria.

Announcing a National Pilot Standard for Healthier School Facilities

Healthy Schools Campaign (HSC) and Green Seal launched a pilot standard for healthy and sustainable school facilities that focuses on measures that can make a big difference without major capital investments. This is the first national standard focused on healthier school facilities, and it is publicly available for any school district or university to use today to improve air quality.

The Safer Way to Clean and Disinfect Your Home

Anxiety about the spread of the COVID-19 virus has led households to significantly increase their use of cleaning and disinfecting chemicals throughout the pandemic. Though well-intentioned, these habits can expose households to toxic chemicals, ultimately causing more harm than good. By learning how to choose safer products and understanding when disinfecting is appropriate, you can guard against viruses and other germs while also protecting your home’s indoor air quality and the health and safety of your family.

Consumer Beliefs are Changing About Sustainable Products

New research shows that consumers, particularly younger generations, are beginning to see sustainable products as higher performing than conventional alternatives. This change in the perceived value of environmentally preferable products is a testament to the quality of the sustainable brands available today and a beacon of hope for the future of responsible companies. 

A Healthy Indoor Air Standard for Schools

Unhealthy indoor air, inadequate ventilation, and chemical exposure from cleaning and maintenance routines are linked to poor concentration and test performance in students, adding preventable barriers to achievement. Green Seal’s updated standard sets additional and more substantial monitoring requirements; establishes the point system that will be used as the basis for certification; and provides more opportunities for schools to make healthier, safer choices.

Your Guide to VOCs in Paint and Cleaning Products

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are common indoor air pollutants that are frequently found in household products and can cause adverse health effects. Products certified to Green Seal standards must abide by strict limits to VOCs to protect human health. This post provides a quick overview of VOCs, how to choose healthier, greener products, and other tips for reducing your exposure to VOCs.

The Green Seal Compass: Protecting Human Health

Green Seal’s standards address the most significant health and environmental impacts for which there are known and feasible safer alternatives. Critically, Green Seal standards also set requirements for functional performance; buyers can be confident the certified healthier product they are choosing is also one that will meet their expectations and get the job done.

Innovations are Making Toxic Chemicals a Thing of the Past

This is a guest contribution by Patrick Lucci Since 1847, when chlorine was first used as a disinfectant, there have been few alternatives to the effective but often dangerous substances known as chemical disinfectants. Today, there is a technology that combines salt, water, vinegar, and electricity to create an EPA-registered, general purpose, hospital-grade cleaner and

CDC Confirms: Less is More When it Comes to Disinfecting

Last Summer, I warned of a dangerous trend of over-disinfecting buildings to reassure people about safety amid the pandemic – with minimal effectiveness at reducing virus spread and significant risks to people’s health from toxic chemicals.  Now, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its guidance to confirm that regular cleaning is preferable to disinfecting most of the time.   When is disinfecting appropriate? The CDC now says to