What To Look For In Eco Friendly Cleaning Products

Earth friendly cleaning products do not cause harm to the environment. From the way they are produced, to the way they are used, right up to the chemicals they give off when used. Eco friendly cleaning products will still give you a professional finish and shine, but without causing harm to the environment.

In this article we’ll look at what you should look out for in any eco friendly product. It makes sense; instead of just buying anything that’s so called ‘eco friendly’, make sure you know what you’re looking for. Having read this article you’ll have a much better idea of what makes a good eco friendly cleaning solution.

What are the ingredients?

Eco friendly products tend to use natural ingredients and still give that perfect finish. Take for example eco furniture polish: ingredients consist of just olive oil and orange oils. The result is a clean and beautiful finish with a slight hint of orange scent.

Another popular cleaning product is window cleaner. You might not know it, but the best ingredient to use on windows and mirrors is vinegar. Most eco window cleaning products will include vinegar, ethanol (derived from corn) and a natural coconut based soap. The result produces completely smear free and shining glass and windows. All from a product that’s 100% natural.

It doesn’t take much effort when you’re shopping for cleaning solutions to check the back of the package. Have a browse through the ingredients. Are there any ingredients that look unnatural? Most eco friendly ranges should use 100% natural ingredients, and where this isn’t possible, natural methods of extracting chemical should be used and advertised.

Can you re-use your containers?

It’s all very well investing in environmentally friendly cleaning chemicals to help you out. But what happens to all the bottles and containers when you’ve finished with them? Could you re-use some of the containers for other chemicals? It might seem unhygienic or even dangerous to recycle cleaning chemical bottles. However, by using dissolvable eco friendly cleaning product sachets, you’ll be in safe hands.

In order to use dissolvable cleaning sachets you need at least one plastic trigger spray container. All you need to do is fill the container with 750ml of warm clean water and add one sachet. Allow the eco friendly cleaning products in the sachet to dissolve.

By using eco friendly cleaning products, in sachets, you can then re-cycle and re-use trigger sprays and other containers that you would normally throw away. By washing them and removing old labels, you can then stick the label provided with your new purchase onto these re-cycled containers and re-use them. That way your cleaning will be completely friendly to the environment.

 

Eco-friendly products boost competitiveness

More manufacturers jump on the ‘green’ wagon amid stricter export regulations, growing alternatives and rising demand.

Treading the “green” path is on the rise among manufacturers in China, albeit at different levels of adoption. Be it in the garments, jewelry, stationery, paint or consumer electronics industries, more companies are adopting ecologically safe materials, including recycled substitutes.

Suppliers are motivated by two main factors. Most are compelled to do so because of increasingly stringent product regulations in their key export destinations, namely the EU and the US. RoHS, for example, curbs the use of elements and compounds that are perilous to the environment. Among these are lead and cadmium. Although the EU directive applies only to electrical and electronic products, makers in other industries such as fashion jewelry are taking heed and dispensing with these substances.

A few are tapping the eco trend as a marketing tool to help them move to upscale manufacture and break away from cutthroat competition in the low end. Because there is a premium attached to green models, companies can charge 5 to 50 percent more for these items.

No more toxins

Most jewelry suppliers have dropped the use of nickel, an erstwhile widely applied plating metal that can cause skin irritation and has been banned in some countries and regions, including the EU. Other types of heavy metal such as lead and cadmium are also disappearing steadily from both the product composition and manufacturing processes.

Fashion accessories maker Temgo Group Co. Ltd uses nickel-free resin and plastic beads that do not have toxic content. “The plating of the metal does not contain lead and nickel. This is required by all of our EU and US buyers,” vice general manager Stanley Fan said.

“We are also using low-cadmium plastic packing bags. It will be a trend in the future. Some acrylic beads or stones are required to be low in cadmium as well.”

The Neoglory Group, one of the top 10 fashion jewelry makers in China, worked with the Kunming University of Science and Technology to develop a zinc-based alloy that complies with the increasingly stricter overseas standards. Three patents have been applied for the new metal, which took a year to perfect.

Aside from its environment-friendly properties, the newly developed jewelry metal will save Neoglory $0.044 per piece. The company is targeting increased exports to North America and Europe once mass manufacturing begins.

Many products are now also free from phthalates, plasticizers that are endocrine disruptors and suspected carcinogens.

Even paint is being reconstituted for ecological safety. Oil-based versions contain PAH and high levels of volatile organic compounds, which are among the most common pollutants.

Much of the eco-friendly substitutes from China are water-borne. When the water volatilizes, the paint film layer is formed without releasing xylene, formaldehyde and other harmful VOCs.

At present, more than 80 percent of paint suppliers in the country offer water-based variants. Foshan Aoke Chemical Co. Ltd, Foshan Maydos Chemical Co. Ltd and Sunfo International Chemical Co. Ltd have developed paint that complies with the China national standard for VOC content, which is lower than 200g/L.

For printing, water-based oil and soy ink are taken up as a low-VOC, PAH-free choice over solvent-based versions.

Natural, sustainable alternatives

Apart from ensuring components are free from toxins, many companies are incorporating materials that are grown with as little impact on the environment as possible.

Cotton farmers are the leading users of insecticide globally, accounting for 16 percent of total consumption. Organic cotton that is cultivated without toxic pesticides and synthetic fertilizers promotes healthier products, biodiversity conservation and reduction of noxious chemicals seeping into the environment.

Tencel, which is a brand of regenerated cellulose fiber made from dissolved wood pulp, is another eco-friendly material that is often used in pants and coats. It is normally mixed with cotton at a ratio of up to 1:3.

Rayon from bamboo is also incorporated in the production of garments. Aside from being biodegradable, it is one of the most efficient among all types of natural fibers in terms of moisture absorption and breathability.

Other natural materials that makers are turning to are silk, bamboo charcoal, and soybean and milk protein fibers.

Apart from the textile application, bamboo is being employed as an alternative to wood, which is currently in short supply. Some makers have even found ways to reshape the naturally hollow and cylindrical plant by processing it in high-pressure machines.

Bamboo’s short maturity cycle, wide availability, and proven strength and durability make the material not only an ecologically safer option to wood, but also a more profitable one.

Recycled substitutes

Wood pulp, the most common material for paper making, has been linked to a number of environmental issues, including deforestation, and air and water pollution. This has prompted suppliers to turn to earth-friendly alternatives, which are becoming increasingly available. Among these are nonwood pulp paper, including cotton, bamboo and reed pulp, and bagasse and stone variants.

Recycled paper such as the kraft type is also a green option. In terms of quality, recycled paper holds up against conventional versions. It has some usage limitations, however, including unsuitability for color printing.

“Although products made of eco-friendly paper are priced higher, the acceptance of customers is high. Both our old and new customers place orders actively for such products,” said Wang Hao of Zhejiang Guangbo Group Co. Ltd, a stationery maker.

Toy makers cited recycled sawdust, which was merely discarded as a wood byproduct, as a suitable substitute material. Apart from yielding environmental benefits, it improves crack- and heat-resistant properties in toys such as role-play sets. Being easier to process than wood, this alternative also has a shorter production time and simpler molding procedures.

In the beauty and cosmetics line, the trend is reflected in the simpler and recycled or recyclable packaging being adopted by many makers. Refills are likewise more gradually being promoted.

Green economics

Trends show that green manufacture has a direct correlation with the cost of adoption. Makers are more likely to use an environment-friendly alternative if it will not inflate their cost structure, and substitutes that are considerably more expensive than conventional materials have fewer takers.

Organic cotton, for instance, is at least 30 percent costlier than the traditional kind since it has fewer growers and suppliers. Parallel to its popularity, however, organic cotton acreage in the US grew by 26 percent in 2009 YoY with total planted area estimated at 4,342 hectares, the highest since 2001.

For beauty products, biodegradable packaging costs 20 percent more than traditional plastic or glass equivalents.

On average, ecologically safe paper is 5 percent more expensive than wood pulp variants, while water-borne paint is about 20 percent costlier to make than the oil-based type.

Full River (Hong Kong) Ltd estimates total production costs for earth-friendly consumer electronics are 4 to 8 percent higher than for conventional models.

With the use of soy ink, Wenzhou Success Group Paper Articles Co. Ltd raised its quotes 5 to 10 percent.

For some product lines, the green transition is eased by the absence of additional expenses. Multi-Link Apparel has substituted azo dye and heavy metal with greener inputs, but its material costs have remained the same.

Even more fortunate for some suppliers, switching to sustainable production has proven to be more profitable than before. Some denim garment makers, for instance, are able to increase their margins by up to 50 percent per pair.

The cost of making stationery out of bagasse, stone and reed is about 5 percent lower than that of wood pulp paper, but export quotes could be 5 to 15 percent higher.

A plastic refill costs about 30 to 50 percent less than a retail plastic bottle in the same volume, savings that are passed on to consumers.

At present, traditional packaging has lower overall costs than alternatives due to the former’s mature technology and established supply chain. In the coming years, recyclable and degradable packaging materials are expected to become more economical and widely used.

Maximizing advantages with eco-labels

China makers expect to enhance their competitiveness in key export markets by getting their products certified with environment-protection labels. Test and certification fees are shouldered by buyers directly or factored into quotations.

Many of the major export destinations have announced versions for a wide array of items. Beauty products, for example, have the BDIH Certified Natural Cosmetics Seal in Germany, Cosmebio and Ecocert in France, ICEA in Italy, and Ecogarantie in Belgium.

Sleepwear from Qingdao Fitex Apparel Co. Ltd bears the DSD Green Point and recycle marks, which indicate that the apparel is suitable for collection and reuse, merchandiser manager Joy Liu said.

Products without foreign eco-labels may present the local equivalent, China Environmental Label. Developed according to the ISO 14024 standard, the mark is acknowledged by various international eco-labeling organizations and has mutual recognition agreements with Germany, Japan, Australia and other countries.

Much of the locally available green paint is marked with the China Environmental Label. Multi-Link Apparel supplies earth-friendly garments with the China Environmental (Green) Label.

 

This article was originally published by Global Sources, a leading business-to-business media company and a primary facilitator of trade with China manufacturers and India suppliers, providing essential sourcing information to volume buyers through our e-magazines, trade shows and industry research.

 

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Eco Friendly Solution and Green Products for home and business

Great Eco Solutions has one simple goal – to provide you with outstanding eco friendly products such as eco friendly products, eco friendly shopping, green products, water heaters, solar system, building products and clear-cut information aimed at simplifying going green. We believe that true sustainability is easy and that with the right education and products, we can create our sustainable future today! It all begins with your home.

Client-Centered Great Eco Solutions Geared for the DIY (do it yourself) homeowner and small contractor, Great Eco Solutions demystifies green living and helps you implement simple yet powerful solutions so you can take your sustainability efforts to the next level with ease. We get your desire to increase the quality of your life while preserving the planet, yet we also understand your needs to save money and find easy-to-apply solutions for your home.

We suggest you visit our Great Home Solutions section and learn how you can easily reduce your home’s energy and water consumption. You will find products to help you live a more pollutant free and eco friendly lifestyle. Great Water Solutions and Great Energy Solutions sections are also available to ensure your water is pure and your energy green. Lastly, for those seeking complete, ready-made solutions, visit our Great Kits Solutions where you’ll find packages from small upgrades to complete home remodeling projects.

Innovation Made Easy This is not just about recycling and using efficient light bulbs! We have meticulously researched the most cutting edge products available that will make every room, appliance and function in your house more energy and cost effective. Great Eco Solutions has the most extensive selection of innovative products for every area of your home …take a look around the site; you won’t believe the eco-driven technology you’ll find here!

Environmental Products – manufacture and involvement

Environmental products are little by little entering the market. When such items are available in regular stores and markets, their exposure is higher and the number of buyers will increase significantly. Environmental products are just emerging but with the right support from global organizations and interested partners an efficient and cost effective platform can be achieved. Many people who take the green life principles for guidelines actually become promoters of environmental products. What can governments do to support earth friendly products and services?

First of all, producers need a form of stimulation in order to commit to the manufacturing of environmental products. They are harder to achieve and more expensive in the conditions of the mechanized world industries. Therefore, incentives and rebates become important marketing strategies to encourage green business. Nevertheless, the very idea of going green remains inarticulate or confuse for many consumers and potential investors alike. Even if a consumer tries to buy environmental products, it will be hard for most people to even name a single green company. People need to learn what they have to gain by choosing environmental products over traditional ones.

The media does speak about the environment, yet the consumers’ interest in environmental products remains low despite all the talk. The message people need to get has to be very clear and well targeted, because it will not be long before users committed to the green cause will start doubting the efficiency or the reliability of certain earth-friendly items. Efficiency, transparency and authenticity in solutions, such are the grounds on which to promote environmental products worldwide. The market is very much segmented into pessimists, green enthusiasts, pragmatics and people of faith.

Hopefully, the number of people interested in environmental products will increase. Ignorance is the major problem here, because people make poor choices in general, let alone the selection of environmental products. We do not know whether the green and not-so-green products won’t hit the supermarket shelves in the very near futur. What remains crystal clear is that all environmental products need intense exposure in order to be adopted in a wider green context.

More environmental products

Biodegradable Products, Eco-Friendly Compostable GREEN

greenpaperproducts.com Biodegradable Products Fully Compostable – Made of Sugarcane Bagasse – But Don’t Eat the Tableware! Introducing, Eco-Friendly biodegradable products from two environment conscious entrepreneurs in Ohio. greenpaperproducts.com offers a fully compostable line of Green Products: disposable cups, plates, cutlery, and green trash bags too… in a SECURE online store. BUT what the heck is Sugarcane Bagasse? Bagasse is a natural byproduct of sugarcane refinement and is the fiber that remains after sugarcane stalks are crushed to extract their juice. Sugarcane Bagasse pulp requires minimal processing and elemental chlorine free (ECF) bleaching to turn it into a woven high-strength paper that is biodegradable and compostable. Making these Sugarcane products more energy efficient to produce in comparison to pulping wood for paper, or manufacturing polystyrene made from foreign oil. MORE Eco-Friendly :-) Biodegradable Products List • Biodegradable Trash Bags • Biodegradable Plates • Biodegradable Containers • Biodegradable Bowls • Biodegradable Tableware • Biodegradable Trays • and PICNIC WARE too! “Preserving the earth’s natural resources for our children, your children, and future generations is our mission”. Said Steven Saks one of the company founders “we found products and a business model that was in harmony with our social concerns and now enjoy coming to the office everyday”. Set your next picnic table with fully disposable, compostable tableware …

Eco Friendly Products – the sad truth

Versatile and incredibly varied, eco-friendly products gradually become part of our lives. People can now shop for eco friendly products according to almost any category related to human activity; there are green clothes, organic food, gift ideas, green services, green appliances, sustainable building, and environmentally friendly solutions to almost anything you can think of. Reduce, reuse and recycle, this is what defines a green lifestyle. The very preference for eco friendly products comes with a certain level of awareness or consciousness that involves consideration for the planet we live on and for the heritage we leave to the next generations.

Many of the items we use on a daily basis have eco-friendly alternatives, but most of us have not even heard of them. A housewife may not be thrilled about using a bio-based solvent instead of her efficient chemical bleacher. Poor efficiency is what we fear most in eco friendly products, and hence the reluctance to use them.Thousands of other similar examples can be found in daily life. In fact, some ‘impossible to make’ changes may be encountered with the most convinced of environmentalists. Unless we change mentality, it will be long before people start using eco friendly products regularly.

A cleaner Earth is not therefore possible without a change of paradigm. When one starts to rely on eco friendly products, that person will make green transformations and choices more easily. When you become committed to the Earth’s cause, you’ll feel guilty wasting water, electricity or consuming lots of fuel resources.The green phenomenon is therefore a lot more complex than we suspect, and it touches on more issues of which eco friendly products make only one. Hybrid cars or electric vehicles, alternative heat and power sources, the replacement of incandescent bulbs with light-saving ones, all these are examples of transformations that are currently taking place.

Anyone can start using eco friendly products, and make the environmental exercise a daily practice. When families behave ecologically responsible, children receive the green education necessary for supporting the environmental efforts required from the next generations.Hence, green education starts at school by direct example. A child who grows with eco friendly products will become an environmentally responsible adult.

Know more about eco friendly products

Eco Friendly Green Products

With the advent of the climate changes and the threat to the global nature, now the companies and production houses are trying to initiate generous job to the environs by manufacturing the eco friendly items. Therefore, the igreenthink is doing its bid to world with its eco friendly services.

The message is very clear and sharp that the corporate world is trying to give out, is to build an eco friendly shield on the planet earth. Everything of our day to day usable products is now eco friendly. The service has taken innumerable eco friendly projects like eco friendly shopping to the eco friendly products. Their new and fresh green journey is inspiring all to buy green.

The professional entrepreneurs and businessmen of the service are showing their noble interest to develop new ideas to boost the green concept. They are also recruiting people on the per time job basis who can work from home while delivering the schemes and objectives of the service. The green products and green shopping offered by the igreenthink is nature friendly to conserve the energies of the nature in better way. These eco friendly products are the invention of the latest technology. These environment friendly products include cloths, earrings, face cream, carpet, pet furs and umbrella to name few. These are recyclable. Also there are eco green products like hand bags, gifts, home décor accessories even jewelry. Moreover, green home products like cleaner, paper towels are even reusable. The natural organic product firming is the boon for the service containing sustainable and less preservatives. From now on people can gift candy wrappers, baskets, food packages, tissue papers, gift boxes; all these items are eco friendly gifts. Eco friendly bags are also specially in demand for its attractive look. The service is promoting the eco friendly clothing like t shirt, shoes, shorts, aprons with the other household stuffs. Especially now when the auspicious Christmas is going on people are looking for the eco friendly Christmas gifts to breath fresh life into the environment. From the service’s generous activities, one can even develop the green gift ideas to create beautiful handicrafts by reusable things instead of dumping them. People don’t have to fear for the germ killing pesticide contained in the cleaning products as they can easily get the green cleaning products. The service is endorsing the green promotional items and green promotional products which are made of pure natural things.

The hospitality industry and corporate services are very concerned about the health of the consumers and the buyers. With these eco green products they are issuing brochures and leaflets to make people understand their conservation program. The concern over the environmental safety is growing fast as the nature threatening sources are looming over the planet earth.

Go Green with Eco-Friendly Promotional Products

Conservation of the environment is a matter of concern for everybody. Right from individuals and NGOs to government bodies, everyone is doing something towards environment conservation.

Businesses across the world are also realizing the benefits of implementing environmentally-conscious technologies into their operations and they are even using eco friendly promotional gifts for promoting their company’s name, logo or slogan. These eco friendly promotional gifts help companies improve relations with their customers and do their bit towards protecting the environment from further damage.

The promotional marketing industry is going “green” with a sudden boom in eco-friendly promotional products and promotional corporate gifts which are increasingly becoming popular among the corporate sector. Eco friendly not only help companies in creating effective advertising campaigns but also help them spread the word about their social values and concern towards conserving earth’s natural resources.

You may find companies getting their brochures printed on eco friendly materials as evidence of their environmental concern.

Here are some popular eco friendly products that can be used as promotional gifts:

Eco Friendly Apparel

Today, you can find the trendy and hip clothing items made from eco friendly fibers such as bamboo, corn, and organic cotton. Clothes made from these fabrics are renewable and reusable and generate less pollution than conventional materials at the time of production. Plus, the eco friendly apparels are popular corporate gifts since they minimize chemicals and pesticides that come in contact with your body.

Eco-Friendly Bags

Promotional organic totes and imprinted recycled bags are also popular eco friendly company gifts. There is a wide variety of imprinted organic, recycled, hemp and biodegradable bags in the market to choose from.  You can easily impress your target audience with eco-friendly tote bags made of recycled material and imprinted or embroidered with your logo.

Eco-Friendly Pens and Notebooks

You can get your brand in the hands of your customers, clients or buyers with a promotional pen or pencil made of recycled or biodegradable material or corn plastics! These eco friendly corporate gifts will surely satisfy your customers and employees because they look great and help preserve the environment!

Eco-Friendly Water Bottles

An eco friendly water bottle is an essential item these days for all who want to stay healthy and contribute towards saving the planet. Eco friendly water bottles are becoming more and more popular nowadays as people are aware of the potential dangers that plastic containers can present, and the harmful effects they have on the environment when discarded without proper precautions. Eco friendly water bottles made of stainless steel or glass have no chemical liner and are BPA free.

Depending on the type of promotional products you are ordering, green items are available at various price ranges to suit different budgets. There are many eco friendly promotional products available that can be used as corporate gifts or company gifts to be given away to your employees, customers, dealers and media people.

Buy Eco Friendly Products To Begin Making a Difference

Turning your home into an eco friendly environment is going to require you to take regular steps to make a difference with everything that you do.  You’ll start by actually looking at eco friendly products as replacements to the items you regularly use which only take up more natural resources than they should.  As you start to buy eco friendly items, you are going to discover that it will not be difficult to make the transition into an eco friendly lifestyle.  You will only need to be vigilant about all of the purchases that you make until your new lifestyle becomes habit.

 

Cleaning products are one of the easiest ways that you can buy eco friendly in a manner which is going to have long lasting results.  When you look for green cleaning solutions, you will be buying products which do not have hazardous chemicals within them.  More than this, however, you will be making a smarter choice because these products are much safer for the health of you and your family.  You will no longer be exposed to hazardous chemicals which can pose life-threatening risks.  These eco friendly products are ones which can easily incorporate into your lifestyle.

 

The eco friendly products which you purchase can also help you save money on a regular basis.  When you turn to home appliances which are more eco friendly than their counterparts, you will begin to see how they make a major difference to your normal bills.  Fluorescent light bulbs themselves are one major example of this.  Traditional incandescent light bulbs are relatively cheap to purchase.  They will, however, burn out rather quickly, forcing you to purchase new ones.  On top of this, the amount of watts it takes per hour to run these bulbs are quite high.  When you buy eco friendly fluorescent light bulbs, however, this will drastically change.  The bulbs themselves will be more expensive, but will need less than half the wattage to properly run and they will last for up to 10 years at a time.

 

This will clearly indicate that when you buy eco friendly, you are saving yourself a great deal of money over time.  The two major points of eco friendly products relate to their amount of consumption and their affect on the environment.  The less that you consume, the less you will end up paying.  The less the products that you use affect the environment, the better they will be for your health.  That is another very important factor to consider.

 

The initial decision to buy eco friendly is often the hardest part of the whole ordeal.  Once you start to live an eco friendly lifestyle, you will see that it is actually very easy to accomplish.  The eco friendly products will often work better to their counterparts and the biggest area of confusion for you may relate to why it took you so long to make the transition in the first place.  The sooner you make the change, the more quickly you will begin to benefit from it.

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