Getting to "green" is a process.  It takes a strategy and invokes doing things that move us ever forward to create a better environment.  For instance, going from virgin paper to recycled paper is a "green" thing to do. We are saving trees, and reusing an existing resource to keep it from going to a landfill. 

Dr. Michael Berry, Ph.D., retired US EPA scientist and currently research professor at the University of North Carolina makes this observation...
"Cleaning is the process of taking unwanted, sometimes harmful matter, and putting it in its proper place, so it doesn't have an adverse affect on human beings. Cleaning is the process to achieve this condition, and this whole thing with green cleaning has completely missed the purpose of cleaning."
This quote is from an article by Cynthia Kincaid in the March 2009 issue of Sanitary Maintenance Magazine. The article warns that many "green" products
offer virtually no cleaning capability, and sites rising contamination in hospitals where infections kill more Americans each year than AIDS, breast cancer and auto accidents combined. Disenfectants by definition can not be green if they are to be effective. Many of the "green" products today lack any kind of scientific data to support cleaning claims. Be sure you can measure the efficacy or claims behind green products and be careful in their use to protect your health...the ultimate "green" thing you do for yourself and others! 



This is the thrust of My Florida Green Council...moving you to better environmental choices. This is "going green" and will help create a healthier environment by your actions.  Add your neighbors...and we have a "green movement".   To help you get a "feel" of what we are trying to do here, we will walk you through a building and offer "going green" alternatives.  Here we go...

Outside Your Building: 

For foliage, it is best to use indigenous plants (native to the area.) These plants are heartier, require less water and fertilizer, and will survive more easily.  In your parking area, you should attempt to leave as much drainage as possible. You can park on the grass, use pavers with drainage spaces, add planted islands, etc. Here we are trying to keep the water on the site and irrigate the foliage as opposed to having it run off.  It is also good to look for ways to shade your building from direct sunlight and thereby lower utility bills.  Other "green" friendly things are close handicap parking, bicycle racks, access to public transportation, covered outside seating, etc.  
www.afnn.org (Florida native nurseries)
www.floridabooks.com (Florida plants and wildlife)
www.floridanativeplants.com
www.maplestreetnatives.com
www.rulnursery.com 
www.thenatives.net

At the Entrance:

One of best things you can do at the entrance is to have a floor mat. Over 80% of all allergans and dust that affect indoor air quality come in on feet. The more you catch at the door, the cleaner the inside air. Use low levels of electric lighting and maximize daylight usage.  Assign one person to "police" the entrance way and clean windows and doors.
www.andersonsenco.com  (Waterhog Eco recycled mats)

General Building Considerations:

There are a host of things you can do from renewable flooring, renewable furniture and fixtures, to how you handle your interior air quality. Here are just a few companies for starters:
www.dylosproducts.com   (interior air quality monitoring)
www.eartheasy.com  (non-toxic paints)
www.safepaint.net   (green seal certified)
www.greenplanertpaints.org   (eco friendly paints)
www.thefreshairchoice@ici.com  (No VOC paints - available at Home Depot)
www.healthyhome.com  (air filters)

There is help on energy efficiency for freezers, coolers and air conditioners. Alpha Thermal Energy Systems has new technology for freezers and coolers that can save up to 50% on your energy bill. Visit www.endothermicsolutions.com     

Phase Saver is a new capacitor technology that can save you up to 15% of your energy bill and they put that in writing.  The primary focus with this company is high-drawn down units like air conditioning, freezers, coolers, etc. Contact Steve Regas at 813-967-5273 for more info.

Specific to Restaurants:
 
If you are a restaurant and wish to recycle shortening and have your grease trap maintained ...Griffin Industries has been offering these services since 1943.  You can find them at www.griffinind.com

General Cleaning Products:

Theochem of Tampa, Florida has been marketing a line of commercial eco-friendly products for over 5 years. These products contain no phosphate, no ethylene glycol or corrosives...yet they work very well.  Check them out at  www.theochem.com. 

Clorox is making consumer green products available to homemakers. They are under the label "Green Works" and you will find them at the supermarket. For more info go to www.greenworkscleaners.com 

Water Saving Opportunities:

www.Technical concepts.com ... hands free faucets, automatic flushers

www.fluidfaucets.com...hands free faucets.

www.caromusa.com... low water volume toilets and sinks.

www.toro.com... Intelli-sense irrigation system





     More to follow shortly...