Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) Resources by Project Area - Cleaning Products

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Cleaning Product Resources

EPA's EPP Database is a searchable tool with information on numerous EPP topics and products, including contract language, specifications, guidelines, and vendor information for cleaning products.


Issue 6 of EPA's EPP Update contains an article about cleaning products and their environmental attributes. Readers can reference an EPA web site which contains a list of cleaning product resources, including sample lists of cleaning product attributes.


EPA's EPP web site hosts a Promising Practices Guide for Greening Contracts. The site serves as an online source for green purchasing tips, strategies, and success stories and includes information specific to cleaning products.


EPA's Cleaning Products Pilot Project web site hosts an attributes ranking tool that helps users select environmentally preferable cleaning products.


Green Seal is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the environment by promoting the manufacture and sale of environmentally responsible consumer products. Visit its Web site to learn more about environmental preferability standards for household cleaning products in the March 1998 ChooseGreen report, which discusses general purpose cleaners and recommends Green Seal-approved products.


U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) Cleaning Products Catalog, Schedule 073, FOOD SERVICE, HOSPITALITY, CLEANING EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES, CHEMICALS AND SERVICES [PDF] (1.78MB, 38 pages) provides environmental attribute information on cleaning products available through GSA, one of the federal government's primary suppliers. The environmental attributes are provided at the end of the Schedule 073.


The Janitorial Products Pollution Prevention Project web site, sponsored by US EPA, Cal/EPA Department of Toxic Substance Control, Santa Clara County P2 Program, City of Richmond and Local Government Commission. This web site contains a series of helpful tools including information on the risks associated with more than 100 cleaning product ingredients, a list of high risk products, and risk evaluation forms. The site also includes a series of fact sheets highlighting the pollution prevention opportunities associated with cleaning products, including recommendations about which chemicals to avoid. It also contains information on a 4-hour workshop entitled, "How to Select and Use Safe Janitorial Products."


Cleaning for Health: Products and Practices for a Safer Indoor Environment This manual, recently published by INFORM, provides a comprehensive table that compares a wide range of cleaning product brands. It's a great resource! For more information contact Alicia Culver: 212-361-2400.

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