Understanding Environmental Terms

The Ashkin Group, the trusted authority in the professional cleaning industry for Green Cleaning and sustainability, recently conducted a LinkedIn poll exploring common environmental terminology.

The poll asked whether four terms - environmentally preferable, eco-friendly, sustainability, and Green - mean the same thing. Nearly 100 industry professionals responded to the survey, which received over 1,400 impressions.

The results revealed significant disagreement:

* 50% said these terms do not mean the same thing

* 35% indicated the terms are similar but distinct

* 11% believed they mostly mean the same thing

* 4% considered them identical

Steve Ashkin, President of The Ashkin Group and known as "the father of Green Cleaning," says that "many people use 'eco-friendly' and 'Green' interchangeably, but these are not the same."

For instance:

Eco-friendly products:

* May minimize health and environmental impacts

* But can contain both natural and synthetic ingredients

* Usually lack Green certification

Green and environmentally preferable products, on the other hand:

* Are Green certified

* Usually contain only natural, renewable ingredients

* Are specifically designed to reduce environmental impacts

* Support sustainability goals

* Have proven their effectiveness at protecting health and the environment

However, according to Ashkin, the key difference in these terms is when discussing sustainability, which has a much broader scope.

While Green Cleaning products contribute to sustainability by using renewable ingredients, use natural resources more efficiently, have minimal and recycled packaging, and are usually highly concentrated to reduce transport needs and emissions, sustainability encompasses more.

Sustainability's focus is on business operations:

•         Improving operational efficiencies

•         Reducing energy and water use, helping reduce costs

•         Minimizing waste

•         Mitigating risks and helping businesses recover faster from disasters

•         Value employees and support local communities.

As for the correct answer to the poll, Ashkin concludes that the second choice - the terms are similar but distinct - is the most accurate answer.

"These terms may all be similar and used interchangeably, but they have their own meanings. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for understanding Green Cleaning and its close cousin, sustainability."