Large corporations finally embracing green trend

Many large corporations are
committing to being greener.

Under pressure from NGOs, a slew of global companies that are number one in their industries made unprecedented commitments to better environmental and social behavior.

There is at least the chance that their promises are not greenwash.

In November, one of the biggest global brands announced it was joining the good guys. Coca-Cola, the world’s largest purchaser of sugar, declared it would stop buying from suppliers that did not adhere to its new guidelines on protecting land rights, which commit the company to "zero tolerance for land grabbing" and respect for land rights of communities and traditional groups.

The commitment was given to Oxfam, the UK-based aid and development NGO, which has been campaigning against land grabbing by sugar companies and others. Coca-Cola promised to publish independent social, environmental, and human rights assessments of its activities, and those of its suppliers.

Earlier in the year, in a move that could have major implications for the forests of Southeast Asia, there was a similar announcement from the world’s largest producer of paper products, Jakarta-based Asia Pulp and Paper (APP).

The company has long been a target for campaigners as it stripped the rainforests of Indonesia to feed its giant pulp mills. But last February it promised an immediate end to the clearing of natural forest by the company and its subsidiaries and suppliers. The company said it would switch to sourcing from timber plantations and that "where new plantations are proposed, APP will respect the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities, including recognition of customary land rights."

APP’s promise, which will be policed by the environmental group TFT, was enough to convince Greenpeace, which had accused the company of "pulping the planet," to call off its worldwide protests.

But perhaps the most far-reaching commitment came in December, when the world’s largest palm-oil trader, Singapore-based Wilmar, committed itself to ensuring that no more deforestation or peatland destruction was carried out by any company that fed its supply chain. Again, TFT will help monitor the company to make sure it delivers.

The pledge from Wilmar did not come out of the blue. It followed strenuous NGO campaigns to clean up the supply chain of an ingredient that is in one in three processed foods. And it came right after an announcement the previous month from foods giant Unilever, which is Wilmar’s biggest customer and is the world’s largest purchaser of palm oil. Unilever promised that by the end of 2014, it will have tracked its entire supply chain to ensure it meets its promise to end its role in deforestation. Arguably, Wilmar had little choice.

Nonetheless, things are getting interesting. The world’s largest companies and investors are starting to use their position as market leaders to drive up standards, rather than pushing them down. From retailers on up the chain, they are demanding that their suppliers clean up their acts. Could it become a "race to the top"?

Not everyone is convinced. Talk can be cheap, and other industry leaders have made such promises before.

So somebody has to make sure the reformed rainforest trashers and land grabbers live up to their promises. For now, that someone looks like TFT founder Scott Poynton, a brash Australian former forester who set up TFT in 1999. The Europe-based nonprofit, with offices in Switzerland and Britain, has been contracted by Wilmar, APP, foods giant Nestle, and a string of top companies to ensure that they do what they promise.

Poynton adamantly insists he won’t be anybody’s stooge. "We are painful, annoying, and strict. If things go wrong, we walk away. We have done that when companies are not serious and open with us — if we keep learning about things through the media, for instance."

What is involved, he says, is more than PR — it’s about changing the nature of the corporations.

Some CEOs clearly get it. Optimists hope that the industry leaders can be effective "first movers" and that other smaller players will follow. Pessimists fear that the others will simply see their big rivals as weakened by ethical compliance, and move in to take advantage.

If this really is a turning point — the moment a "race to the bottom" in corporate ethical standards becomes a "race to the top" — then we should soon know.

Source: Yale e360. This article has been edited for length.

Companies are catching on that environmentally friendly is the way to go. Electrocorp's industrial and commercial air cleaners come with refillable carbon filters, recyclable materials and low-energy usage. Find out how Electrocorp can provide cleaner and healthier air in your workplace by calling 1-866-667-0297.

EPA helps keep schools green and healthy

Students and staff can suffer from
poor indoor air quality in schools.

PHILADELPHIA – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is encouraging healthy school environments in a new exhibit "Lessons for a Green and Healthy School," a walk-through classroom exhibit that demonstrates techniques to create a green and healthy school environment.

The exhibit is on display at EPA's Public Information Center at 1650 Arch Street.

"This display showcases EPA’s strategies, programs, and resources that protect the health of children and staff when they are in school, where they spend about 25 percent of their time every year," said EPA Regional Administrator Shawn M. Garvin. "The exhibit contains practical advice and techniques that school administrators can put in place."

Green school buildings and education are vital to the development and learning of every student. And a green schools benefits teachers and other staff as well because they, too, work better when the indoor air and other conditions are healthy.

The exhibit focuses on five central lessons: energy efficiency, integrated pest management, air quality, storm water management, and green cleaning materials. The lessons cover a number of EPA programs that are showcased in the exhibit including: Tools for Schools; Energy Star; Integrated Pest Management; and Design for the Environment.

Running through January 2014, the exhibit is free and open to the public. EPA’s Public Information Center is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. All visitors who are 18 and older must show a valid photo ID and go through security before entering the exhibit area.

For more information, visit EPA’s Public Information Center website.

Source: EPA

Protect children and staff from poor IAQ at school

Young children and teachers spend a lot of time inside school buildings - it's too bad, then, that so many schools and universities suffer from poor indoor air quality that can impact students and staff alike in terms of their health, productivity and well-being.

Many schools expose children and adults to airborne contaminants such as mold spores, chemicals, particles, allergens and fumes. Better ventilation, source control and air cleaning can help provide cleaner and healthier air.

Electrocorp's air cleaners for schools and universities feature a wall of granular activated carbon for the removal of airborne chemicals, odors and fumes, a HEPA filter for particles and dust and optional UV germicidal filtration for the neutralization of bacteria, viruses and mold.

Contact Electrocorp for more information and the best options for your building.

Ways to go green at work

The workplace can be a greener place.

The idea of going green is not a new one - most North Americans have taken steps to reduce their foot print and save the environment. Even small steps can make a big difference in the future.

Going green at work is the next logical step. Even if employers are slow to take the lead, there are many ways employees can help greenify their workplace.

• Conserve H2O - at home and at work

The average American family uses more than 300 gallons of water per day at home, according to the EPA. We use even more at work or school. You can reduce your water usage in numerous ways. Use WaterSense-labeled toilets and sinks. Check out epa.gov to find rebates for water-wise improvements.

• Look for products that use reclaimed materials

Recycling has become a valid business opportunity for many companies supplying the industry sector. Reclaimed rubber floors for businesses is one example. But there are many ways North American businesses can reuse materials at the workplace.

• Think twice before printing anything

In today's onslaught of e-mails and digital documents, not everything has to be printed anymore. Contracts, yes. Bills, yes. Every single communication with coworkers, no. Just make sure your computer is backed up regularly, so you don't lose anything.

Greener offices often come with improved indoor air quality as well. Even when extra help is needed, it is a good idea to go with the greener option of indoor air cleaners. Electrocorp has designed a wide range of indoor air cleaners that boast with green features:

1. Metal casings that can be recycled. Many commercial air cleaners feature plastic casings. Metal ones are environmentally friendlier and more durable.
2. Refillable air filters. Electrocorp's activated carbon filters can be refilled to reduce waste. The used activated carbon is recyclable or compostable.
3. Energy-efficient usage. Electrocorp's portable air cleaners use about as much energy as a lamp. Different speed options further make them efficient and user-friendly.

Want to find out more about Electrocorp's line of commercial and industrial air cleaners? Contact an IAQ specialist today.

The benefits of greener hospital ORs

Operating rooms produce large amounts of waste,
researchers say.

Researchers say that greener operating rooms can not only save hospitals money, but they can also reduce the environmental impact, while offering the same patient care.

Traditionally, operating rooms in hospitals have produced large amounts of waste and were responsible for 20-33% of all waste in hospitals.

Figures from 2007 showed that US health care facilities contributed 8% of total greenhouse gas emissions and produced more than 4 billion pounds of waste. Canadian hospitals were also huge energy consumers, using the energy of 440,000 homes.

The high levels of waste come from a need for sterility, the scientists say, but there are certain ways operating rooms can become greener:

• Waste separation: The waste should be divided into normal waste and biohazard or medical waste
• Liquid waste discharge: Installing a closed collection system into sanitary sewers would reduce the amount of waste needing high-energy treatment
• The right technology: Smart monitors can reduce energy use when the ORs are not being used.
• Advocating greener packaging: Plastic packaging is a major contributor to waste.
• Making donations: Giving unused equipment away to developing countries is a great way to be greener and less wasteful.
• Reusing devices: It is better to find alternatives to single-use devices.
• Involve the staff: Greening activities can be coordinated by staff team members.

The analysis was published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal CMAJ.

Source: Canadian Medical Association Journal

Greener hospitals, better indoor air quality

Making hospitals and operating rooms a greener place not only helps the environment and hospital budgets, it can also be beneficial for patients – especially insofar as indoor air quality is concerned.

The air in many hospitals is polluted; apart from the obvious culprits like bacteria and viruses, there can be mold spores, chemicals, gases, odors, dust and particles, which can all have an impact on the health and well-being on patients and staff.

Electrocorp has developed a wide range of air cleaners for hospitals and healthcare settings that can tackle these types of indoor air contaminants and help provide cleaner and healthier air.

The air cleaners feature a multistage filtration system with a medical-grade HEPA filter, a deep-bed activated carbon filter for odors, chemicals and fumes and an optional UV lamp for additional protection from pathogens.

They can easily be moved from room to room, or they can be attached to existing HVAC systems or mounted on the walls or ceiling.

Contact Electrocorp for more information and options. Become a follower on our blog to get the latest industry and commercial news on indoor air quality concerns and solutions.
  

“Green” roofs provide environmentally friendly solutions

Gone are the days that flat roofs need to be black tar – now they can be white, green, blue and solar-panel black.

On the green roof of the Mountain Equipment
Co-op store in Toronto, Canada.
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

These different kinds of green roofs help solve serious environmental concerns, including air pollution, urban heat spots, storm water runoff and more.

Turning roofs into gardens or painting them white helps them to have much lower surface temperatures.

A city's average temperature is often much higher than in the surrounding suburbs (where more green spaces and trees provide more shade).

Green roofs can retain 75 percent of a one-inch rainfall and use the moisture to cool down.

The idea of green roofs is not new, but it has become a more popular choice in the past 50 years or so, especially in Europe, where Germany’s green roofs top the list (10 percent of roofs in Germany are considered green).

Costs of green roofs 

Greening a roof requires some work and money and a lot of different materials: Insulation, waterproof membranes, barriers to control roots, drainage layers (gravel or clay), mats for erosion prevention, lightweight soil and plants.

Depending on the types of plants and maintenance work involves, a green roof can cost $15 to $30 per square foot.

But factoring in air conditioning and heating costs all year round, the expense may well be worth it.

Researchers from Columbia University and City University of New York found that a green roof can cut the rate of heat gained through the roof in summer by 84 percent, and the rate of heat lost through the roof in winter by 34 percent.

Reducing the storm runoff water can help curb sewer overflows and improve public health.

Green roofs can also help reduce air pollution in the city. One square meter can absorb all the emissions from a car being driven 12,000 miles a year, experts say.

Source: New York Times

Air cleaners for healthier buildings

Greener roofs may help with reducing air pollution, but until they become mainstream, many workers and city dwellers will be exposed to the harmful fumes, gases and particulate matter polluting the city.

Electrocorp has designed air cleaners for facility management, offices and other applications.

The portable or HVAC-compatible air cleaners feature a complete air filtration system with activated carbon and HEPA plus optional UV germicidal filtration to remove the widest range of indoor air pollutants.

The air filters can capture airborne chemicals, gases, fumes, odors, particles, dust, bacteria, viruses, allergens, mold and more.

For more information, contact Electrocorp today.

Using only green-certified products a challenge, contractors say

While green products are popular in general,
a green-only approach is still difficult.

The green industry has been flourishing not only with the growing popularity of LEED-certified buildings, but also with an abundance of greener products entering the market.

Many business cleaning services are making the switch to certified versions of commonly used green products such as cleaning agents, soap and hand sanitizer.

However, green specialty products seem to have a harder time becoming mainstream.

Green-certified carpet extractors, furniture polishes, metal polishes, concrete stripping or graffiti removal are products that are used only occasionally and need to work quickly.

Green specialty products more expensive

A lower demand in these types of products, high certification costs and questions of efficiency can all translate into higher prices – especially because the makers of these products have to amortize their certification costs in rising prices.

At least a third-party standard is now available for these products, with the launch of the new Green Seal GS-53 for Specialty Cleaning Products for Industrial and Institutional Use in 2011.

The standard covers a wide range of products, including dish soaps, graffiti removers, automotive cleansers, outdoor cleaners, odor removers and polishes and waxes.

Many contractors are also finding that a tough economic environment makes it difficult to keep making green products a priority since many building owners are facing a growing vacancy rate and lower lease rates.

A healthy environment is still important to most building owners, the contractors say, but cost is also an issue.

Source: Clean Link

A healthy environment needs clean indoor air

Indoor air pollution is one of the main reasons people get sick, feel unwell or may not be as productive as usual.

The indoor air in many buildings, offices and workplaces can be contaminated by airborne chemicals, gases, odors, particles, dust, bacteria, viruses, mold and more.

A portable air cleaner with activated carbon and HEPA filters can help remove the widest range of indoor air contaminants.

Electrocorp has developed air cleaners for industrial and commercial purposes with a proven track record in offices, facility management, schools and universities, libraries and archives, law enforcement and more.

For more information, contact Electrocorp.
 

Green classroom project evaluates effects on students

Classrooms (and students) can benefit from better indoor
air quality, ventilation, lighting and acoustics.

The United States Green Building Council is helping schools become greener and cleaner.

The council defines a green school as a school building or facility that creates a healthy environment that is conducive to learning while saving energy, resources and money.

With their Green Classroom Project, they help to renovate and “greenify” an existing classroom in schools to show what a difference certain elements such as a new energy-efficient HVAV system, day-lighting and natural light installations, improved acoustics and improved indoor air quality can have on students.

A second classroom without any updates serves as a control room.

The project includes the installation of air-quality monitoring equipment in both classrooms, which collect information on carbon dioxide levels, temperature and humidity, energy usage and more.

The project often relies on corporate donations from local and national businesses to provide funding for the materials and labor.

Source: OC Metro, US Green Building Council

Improve indoor air quality in schools and learning facilities

Among other factors, indoor air quality can have a big impact on student success with regards to learning and retaining information.

A good air cleaner can help
provide healthier air in schools.

Even small steps like keeping classrooms clutter-free and clean, using non-toxic cleaning agents, opening windows regularly and more can lead to a much improved indoor air environment.

The indoor air quality in classrooms can not only be compromised by lack of ventilation and too many students in a small space, other sources such as building materials, certain indoor activities and outdoor air pollution can also build up a toxic soup of contaminants.

A portable air cleaner with the right air filters can help remove pollutants such as chemicals, gases, odors, dust, particles, allergens, bacteria, viruses and mold.

Electrocorp has designed the most efficient and long-lasting air cleaners for schools and universities that contain a deep-bed activated carbon filter and HEPA filter as well as UV germicidal filtration (optional).

For more information, contact Electrocorp today.

Green the way to go for more businesses

An eco-friendly approach to business pays off for
many companies, numbers show.

Earth Day has come and gone, but the environmental movement is a year-round affair – and many businesses are turning green changes into profits.

It helps that many environmentalists demand greener products and feel that it makes financial sense.

From greener and more fuel efficient cars and a variety of organic products to eco-friendly dry-cleaning and lawn care – the choice has been growing for people all across North America.

Green businesses in the United States make up a $175 billion industry, which employs nearly 2 million workers.

Consumers are becoming more aware of a product’s makeup and ingredients, and they are demanding products with fewer added chemicals and synthetic materials.

And even businesses that involved a lot of harmful chemicals and solvents now find ways to become greener:

Car repairs and auto body shops

• Recycle materials such as metals, oil, tires and antifreeze
• Use organic glass cleaners, wheel degreasers, car-wash detergents and other products
• Use bulk products rather than individualized bottles to cut down on waste and packaging

Dry cleaners

• Use eco-friendly laundering agents such as liquefied carbon dioxide, silicone and biodegradable detergents instead of the commonly used solvent perchloroethylene (perc)
• Put clothes in plastic bags that are made from recyclable materials and biodegradable

Cleaning services

• Use nontoxic, biodegradable agents that won’t affect indoor air quality
• Clean with reusable microfiber cloths
• Vacuum with a low-energy, HEPA filtration vacuum

Source: Miami Herald

Improve air quality with carbon + HEPA air cleaners

Greener and less toxic products are the first step towards a healthier and safer work environment, but many people are still exposed to chemicals and other toxins on the job, which can come from building materials, products that are used or manufactured and other sources.

Electrocorp offers portable and powerful air cleaners for the widest range of indoor air contaminants, including chemicals, gases, odors, particles, dust, allergens, bacteria, viruses and mold.

The air cleaners feature a complete air filtration system with deep-bed granular activated carbon, HEPA as well as optional UV germicidal filtration for biological contaminants.

The air cleaners are effective, energy-efficient as well as long-lasting, with reusable carbon canisters and other green features – and they can make a huge difference in the air quality in any space.

See also Electrocorp's air purifiers for auto body shops and garages.

For more information, contact Electrocorp.
  

Top 5 tips to green up your office

A green office environment can save money and resources.

A leaner, cleaner and greener office can help the environment and a company’s bottom line.

Especially small businesses can make certain choices to “reduce, reuse and recycle” and thereby save money and resources.

Here are the top 5 easy-to-implement tips for a greener office:

1. Make recycling easy and effective
   Separate bins or containers for paper, waste and cans/bottles will make it easy for everyone at the office to recycle.
   Ink and toner cartridges should be recycled and some companies offer a pickup program,
    
2. Use less virgin paper and reuse old paper
   Most people realize that printing every e-mail or document they get is a waste of paper – with backup systems, e-mails are bound to remain in your inbox unless you delete them intentionally.
   Using recycled paper is much more environmentally friendly, and finding other uses for misprints and old papers can go a long way to green up your office. For example, some people staple old misprints and use them for notes. Others turn old papers into small stacks of papers for notes, telephone messages and other quick messages.
    
3. Use refillable, recycled or biodegradable pens
   A refillable pen means less plastic and metal waste. Buying in bulk can also make buying recycled pens possible – some companies offer pens made from 89% post-consumer waste like beverage bottles. Some companies offer pens that can land on the compost after a simple disassemble (since not all parts may be biodegradable).
    
4. Avoid paper handouts
   In meetings and for presentations, a lot more people are relying on electronic methods like a projector and PowerPoint, rather than bulky handouts. Company memos and other information can be sent out by e-mail as well.
    
5. Use less toxic cleaners in the office
   Conventional cleaning products often contain harmful chemicals and fumes that can add to poor indoor air quality and lead to headaches and other possible health effects. Eco-friendly and non-toxic cleaning supplies are available that are not as strongly scented and won’t add more indoor air pollutants.

Source: The Toronto Star

A greener office can be a healthier office

Using less toxic products and materials can help improve the overall air quality in an office, which is often the reason for poor productivity, absenteeism and other problems like Sick Building Syndrome, for example.

Electrocorp also offers portable and very effective air cleaners for the office environment, which help keep the air clean and free of irritating pollutants.

Electrocorp's air cleaner for office printers.

The air cleaners feature a deep-bed activated carbon filter for the removal of volatile organic compounds (VOCs, for example from printing and toner cartridges, electronic equipment, treated textiles on office furniture, carpets, cleaning products), chemicals and odors, a HEPA filter to control dust, particles and pollen and optional UV germicidal filtration for the neutralization of bacteria, viruses and molds.

For offices with large printers and copying machines, Electrocorp has also designed air cleaners for office printers that feature customized intake hood for the removal of chemicals and particles right at the machine’s exhaust.

For more information, contact Electrocorp today!
 

Going green helps companies earn more ‘green’: Study

Greener buildings can make workers more productive
and help a company's bottom line.

A University of Notre Dame study shows that bank branches using LEED-certified buildings increases their revenues even if they offer the same products and services than other branches.

LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and is awarded to certain buildings that have been built or renovated with energy efficiency and good indoor air quality in mind.

The five main categories are Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy and Atmosphere, Materials and Resources, and Indoor Environmental Quality.

In their study, the researchers looked at 562 PNC branches (93 LEED, 469 non-LEED) and found that employees working in LEED-certified branches were more productive and engaged in their work.

This translated into big bucks for the branches: The study authors determined that sustainability equaled about $461,300 more per employee after controlling for other variables that influence performance.

This mirrors what many companies have been experiencing in the recent past: A high environmental and social impact can be maintained while achieving revenue and job growth.

In terms of the bank in the study, going green seems to work, whether it’s because the buildings look better or the people working there are more fulfilled and thus providing better services.

Source: University of Notre Dame

Good indoor air quality can improve productivity

Numerous studies have highlighted the benefits of good indoor air quality on a company’s bottom line. While LEED-certification may not be possible to attain right away, companies can do other things to improve their indoor air quality and worker satisfaction.

1. Source control: Companies can opt for products, furnishings and other materials that are more natural and environmentally friendly and won’t add any pollutants to the ambient air. For example, glass desks or untreated office furniture won't emit VOCs and other toxins.
    
2. Ventilation: Companies can make sure that existing ventilation systems are well maintained and that the filters are replaced regularly.
    
3. Air cleaning: Using portable air cleaners with activated carbon and HEPA can help keep the air clean and much healthier. These air cleaners work around the clock to remove airborne chemicals, odors, particles, dust, bacteria, viruses and mold. 

Electrocorp offers high-quality air cleaners for a wide range of commercial and industrial applications, including

• Offices
• Schools and Universities
• Libraries and Archives
• Hospitals and health care settings
• Beauty Salons and Spas

Contact Electrocorp for more information and more options.
 

How senior residences can embrace clean air and green living

Seniors can be affected by
polluted indoor air.

Poor indoor air quality can have an effect on anyone – but seniors count among especially vulnerable groups.

Polluted indoor air has been linked to sneezing, coughing, eye, nose and throat irritation, allergic reactions, aggravated asthma, even cancer.

Assisted living facilities and retirement homes can improve their indoor air quality in many ways and also adopt more environmentally friendly practices.

Here are some tips:

• Open windows regularly and turn off the A/C when possible. Opening windows is a cost-effective way to increase ventilation in the residences and provide fresh air. Make sure the outdoor conditions are agreeable in terms of temperature, air pollution and noise.
    
• Opt for individual HVAC systems for each unit in the residence. This makes it easier for seniors to control their living environment and can reduce costs and complaints.
    
• Install programmable thermostats. The thermostats can make sure the temperature drops overnight, for example, to save on heating costs.
    
• Use low-flow toilets. These can save a lot of water and are much better for the environment.
   
• Clean with environmentally friendly and non-toxic cleaning agents. Common cleaning products can add to poor indoor air quality because they may contain harsh chemicals and volatile organic compounds.
   
• Vacuum cleaning the right way: A vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter is more effective and won’t release as many particles into the air.
   
• Use low-VOC paints when renovating: Normal paints can off-gas volatile organic compounds for a long time, so low-VOC or even zero-VOC paints are a much better alternative.

Source: The Commercial Appeal

Improve the IAQ in senior residence and facilities

Cleaner indoor air can help improve the health and well-being of residents, who may be affected by a wide range of pollutants, including chemicals, gases, odors, bacteria, viruses, mold, particles and dust.

Electrocorp offers portable air cleaners with a multi-stage filtration system that can effectively remove these pollutants from the ambient air.

The air cleaners are equipped with deep-bed activated carbon filters, HEPA filters and optional UV lamps to provide the most enhanced filtration power.

Contact Electrocorp for more information and more options.
  

Hospital commits to green practices

Hospitals can become more
environmentally friendly.

The New Jersey Hackensack University Medical Center has officially agreed to become even more “green” by a memorandum of understanding with the EPA.

As part of their continued effort to “go green”, the hospital pledged to reduce air pollution, use less plastic, increase recycling efforts and initiate other environmentally friendly practices.

They plan to reduce energy consumption by 10 percent, install water-conserving equipment, complete a roof garden and more.

The hospital’s women’s and children’s buildings already boast a green design, top-notch energy system and non-toxic cleaning products.

In order to improve indoor air quality, the hospital is planning to install a “living wall” with more than 30 plant species that help clean the air and break down indoor air pollutants.

According to the North Jersey Record, the EPA has developed partnerships to aid hospitals, colleges, retail and other businesses in becoming more environmentally friendly, because buildings are responsible for 40 percent of the nation’s energy consumption and 40 percent of carbon dioxide emissions.

Source: North Jersey Record

Air cleaners for hospitals and healthcare settings

The indoor air quality in hospitals and healthcare facilities is often compromised by a wide range of indoor air pollutants, including bacteria, viruses, chemicals, volatile organic compounds, dust, particles, mold and more.

Electrocorp offers powerful air cleaners for hospitals and healthcare facilities that can remove these contaminants on a 24/7-basis.

The air cleaners feature many pounds of granular activated carbon for gaseous pollutants and odors, a HEPA filter for particles and dust and optional UV germicidal filtration for the neutralization of bacteria, viruses and mold.

For more information and options, contact Electrocorp.
  

Facility management: Use less toxic products for industrial and commercial cleaning purposes

Commercial cleaning involves more than slipping
hazards: Harmful chemicals may affect the air quality.

Retail stores, offices, laboratories, manufacturing facilities and other types of commercial spaces often need a good scrubbing – but the type of cleaning products can have an effect on the indoor air quality as well as the health and well-being of the employees or visitors.

Standard commercial cleaning products fall in the harsh chemical category, meaning they contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can become airborne and inhaled by building occupants.

They can not only contribute to poor indoor air quality and affect the people’s health, they can also be harmful to the environment and pollute groundwater.

It may be a better, safer and more cost-effective idea to go for greener industrial cleaning products.

A non-profit organization dedicated to setting standards for eco-friendly products/services/companies, Green Seal has established requirements for cleaning service providers, including in-house and external cleaning services, to create a green cleaning program that protects human health and the environment.

There are many ways facility managers and cleaning service providers can become greener.

• Cleaning products: Opt for environmentally friendly, green cleaning products whenever possible (general-purpose, floor, bathroom, carpet and all other types of cleaning agents).
• Chemical safety: Products with harsh chemicals need to be diluted properly, cleaners need to be trained properly and it’s a great idea to slowly phase out cleaning chemicals that may pose a risk to human health.
• Bulk purchasing: Liquid hand soap, paper towels, toilet paper, cleaning cloths and agents can be bought in large quantities to save on costs and packaging in the long run.
• Sanitation and disinfection: Use EPA-registered products for special areas that need disinfecting or sanitizing.
• Communicate: Good communication between cleaning personnel, facility managers and others involved is key to a safe and functional green cleaning program.

Source: Mother Nature Network, Green Seal guidelines


Reduce chemical pollutants in your facility

Electrocorp air filtration systems provide simple, cost-effective solutions to meet and exceed regulations and enhance a property’s environmental initiatives.

Our wide range of air cleaners feature advanced, proven technologies including deep-bed activated carbon, medical-grade HEPA and UV filtration to treat airborne chemicals, gases, odors and particles.

Using an industrial-strength filtration system at strategic points in the building can have a profound effect on the indoor air quality, reported health symptoms or complaints and perceived irritants.

Find out more about Electrocorp’s air cleaners for facility management or contact one of our IAQ specialists at 866-667-0297 for more information.
  

Funeral industry examines green options

Greener options are available in the
funeral industry.

The funeral services industry in the United States is worth $12 billion, and just like any other industry it is bound to change over time.

One green option is alkaline hydrolysis, an alternative to cremation that liquefies human remains with potassium hydroxide and 300F heat, producing lower carbon emissions.

Then there are biodegradable caskets and formaldehyde-free body preparation, urns made of recycled paper, solar-powered panels that can erect the tombstone and play the deceased person’s favorite songs, and much more.

Green burials are still a small part of the industry – but it seems to be a growing part.

While the general public is often eager to embrace greener alternatives, it’s the industry itself that needs to be convinced - after all, green option are often cheaper, always better for the environment and they may be healthier, too.

Source: Bloomberg Businessweek

Indoor air in funeral homes

The I-6500 is a powerful
air cleaner for odors, chemicals,
dust, particles and pathogens.

Until green alternatives become mainstream choices, the preservation of bodies is often done with chemicals that can become airborne. The embalming fluid used to preserve bodies is composed of toxic substances such as formaldehyde, methanol, ethanol and isopropanol.

These substances can lead to a variety of health symptoms, including eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches and even cancer.

In order to protect workers and clients from poor indoor air quality, funeral homes and morgues need to have a good ventilation system that is properly maintained, personal protective equipment as needed and a powerful air cleaner with activated carbon to remove irritating odors and chemicals.

Electrocorp has designed industrial air cleaners for funeral homes and embalming services. They feature a deep-bed activated carbon filter and HEPA as well as an optional UV lamp to neutralize bacteria, viruses and molds.

The air scrubbers can be used as portable, stand-alone units, or they can be attached to the ventilation system and hidden.

Contact us for more information and recommendations based on your space’s size and requirements.

Green hotel chains lead the way

Hotels can make big and small changes
to be more green and profitable.

Big hotel chains seem to have the advantage when it comes to going green, a new analysis by Washington State University researchers shows.

Chain hotels often have more green practices in place, including:

• Energy efficient light bulbs
• Staff training to conserve energy by turning off lights, heaters and air conditioning in unoccupied rooms
• Bulk purchasing to save on packaging
• Using less toxic cleaners and chemicals
• Offering tips to guests on how to save water and energy during their stay (reusing towels and sheets, for example)

The researchers found that the appearance of being green impacted a guest’s decision when it came to similar rooms at the same price.

Traditionally, hotels have had large environmental footprints in the hospitality industry because they use so much water and cleaning chemicals, electricity by keeping lights on all night, etc.

The green hotel movement has become more and more popular since the 1990s.

"It's a smart practice for hotels," says Dennis Reynolds, Ivar B. Haglund Endowed Chair in the WSU School of Hospitality Business Management.

"When it started, no one acknowledged that. They said, 'This is a green practice. We're doing it for the environment.' That caught on very quickly because, yes, it's good for the environment but it's also good for the bottom line."

Greener buildings with better insulation, improved ventilation systems and increased control over room temperature and air quality can cut energy costs significantly.

Source: Washington State University press release

Improve a room’s air quality for more comfort

9400 Ceiling Mount air cleaner

Many hotels are seeing the benefits of green practices - and indoor air quality plays an important role in the experience provided to guests.

A portable air cleaner with activated carbon and HEPA air filters can remove the widest range of odors, chemicals, gases, allergens, molds, bacteria and viruses and provide relief to guests affected by allergies and asthma or chemical sensitivities. Units can also be ducted or otherwise incorporated into existing ventilation systems.

Contact Electrocorp for more information about our line of air cleaners for the hospitality industry and other options.