As the world opens up amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, travelers have come to expect more frequent cleaning and disinfecting in the spaces they occupy – but it does not have to come at the expense of healthy indoor air quality.
Category: Trends in Sustainability
Announcing a National Pilot Standard for Healthier School Facilities
Today, 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
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. Since the virus primarily spreads via person-to-person transmission, covering the surfaces in your home with
Consumer Beliefs are Changing About Sustainable Products
The question that often surfaces when people consider new green products is, “That’s great, but does it work?” While this has long been the case, new research shows that consumers, particularly younger generations, are beginning to see sustainable products as higher performing than conventional alternatives. New research highlighted by the Kellogg School of Management at
Google’s New Feature Highlights Green Seal-Certified Hotels
Google’s latest feature makes it easier for travelers to find sustainable lodging options. This new feature tags environmentally preferable hotels that have achieved ecolabel certification from Green Seal or select other credible third-party certification organizations as “Eco-Certified” in Google Travel hotel search results. Hotels included in the Google hotel booking program will feature a leaf-shaped
A Healthy Indoor Air Standard for Schools
Update: The second public comment period for the Healthy Green Schools & Colleges Standard had ended. Green Seal accepted public comments between September 21, 2021 and October 22, 2021. The Proposed Criteria is available on Green Seal’s Standard Projects page. Green Seal is proposing several important improvements to our standard criteria for Healthy Green Schools &
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
The Green Seal Compass: Protecting Human Health
This is part of a series of stories about Green Seal’s Compass. Read our introduction to the Compass here. Green Seal’s work follows a compass that focuses on four key targets: protecting human health, minimizing waste, ensuring clean water, and preserving the climate. This compass keeps us focused on Green Seal’s priority impacts, ensuring that
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
Microbial-Based Cleaning Products
Update: On November 11, 2021, Green Seal issued six standards with updated criteria for microbial-based cleaning products. Spray-applied microbial-based cleaning products are now eligible for Green Seal certification. All documents on this criteria revision can be found on Green Seal’s Library of Standards page. Green Seal is proposing several important improvements to our standard criteria for microbial-based
How to Safely Clean and Disinfect for Coronavirus
Are you concerned about properly disinfecting for coronavirus while also protecting people from the health risks associated with hazardous chemical exposure? Green Seal’s new Guidelines for Safer COVID-19 Cleaning and Disinfection spell out five effective and responsible cleaning practices for occupant health and safety during the pandemic. Improper cleaning and disinfection practices – such as
The Fairmont Chicago Reaps Benefits of Certification
In order to set smart and ambitious sustainability goals hotels generally find they must address unique infrastructure, operations, and purchasing challenges, often without a road map. Significant water, energy and cost savings, increases in corporate bookings, an improved guest experience, and higher staff morale are just some of the benefits that make the effort worthwhile.
Honoring the Custodial Workers Who Keep Our Schools Healthy
Right now, 15 states and 2 U.S. territories have ordered or recommended school building closures for the rest of the academic year due to concerns with the rapid spread of COVID-19. These closures have disrupted the formal education of approximately 55 million students across U.S. public and private institutions. But they have not slowed the
ABCO Natura Yarn Mop Heads – Innovation Criteria
Update: The public comment period for ABCO Products has ended. Green Seal accepted public comments between April 6, 2020 and May 7, 2020. Learn more about ABCO Products and its product certification status on Green Seal’s Environmental Innovation Registry page. Green Seal’s Environmental Innovation Beta Advisory Program allows product manufacturers to explore environmental and health impacts, engage
