What is the ZWBA?

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USZBC Brandon Pelissero ZWBA Certificate-600Environmental and health safety organizations have developed over the years, alerting businesses about the alarming rate of waste that is produced. The rising of these organizations stem from the research and the growing increase of available information regarding how truly harmful waste has become from businesses, and how it negatively impacts both people and the environment. One such organization, known as the U.S. Zero Waste Business Council (USZWBC), has developed what is called the Zero Waste Business Associate (ZWBA) certification system. This systems works toward training professionals so they can help businesses achieve a “Zero Waste” standard, as well as to help get the companies’ facilities certified as Zero Waste, according to the USZWBC Scorecard Certification System. Companies that become certificate holders will obtain a practical understanding of the most current Zero Waste business principles and practices and USZWBC policies and processes, as well as the ability to demonstrate a clear and concise commitment to professional growth concerning the advancement of Zero Waste policy.

Companies that wish to become Zero Waste Business Associates through the USZWBC will earn their credentials by submitting the following: an application, attending the ZWBA Scorecard Training 101 Course – which was previous called the “Become a Certified Zero Waste Business” Course – and is a six hour course, paying all applicable fees, and passing a computer based exam, which is comprised of randomly delivered multiple choice questions. Once certified, the role of a ZWBA member is to implement Zero Waste programs and help others become aware of the program, prepare businesses for the USZWBC Zero Waste Business Certification training program, and assist businesses through the entire certification process. Note: certified ZWBA members do not conduct certification audits, trainings, or any other business affairs on behalf of the USZWBC.

In a brief summation, the following lists the steps on how to earn a Zero Waste Business Associate Certificate:

  • First, you need to fill out the application form.
  • Participate in the six hour training course.
  • Take, and pass the subsequent test that follows the training course.
  • Make sure you are up to date in paying all of the certification costs.
  • When it is time to do so, get your certification renewed.

More information concerning all related materials about the ZWBA can be attained from the USZWBC website, including a more comprehensive detailing of the steps mentioned above, the advantageous to becoming a ZWBA certified member, along with more information regarding the ZWBA, and everything it entails. Any additional questions can be answered by either an Ecolink professional, or a representative of the USZWBC.

Ecolink is fortunate enough to have one of only two certified ZWBA professionals in all of Georgia. Brandon Pelissero successfully completed the course in July of 2014. This certification adds to the many skills Ecolink employs to help their clients minimize chemical usage, maximize their cleaning budget and create an enviromentally friendly approach to industrial cleaning. Call today 800-563-1305 to begin your journey to zero waste harmony.

What is the Best way for Companies to Reduce Toxic Chemical Usage?

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reduce toxic chemicalsThe answer to this question is not as straightforward as you might think, and that is because the solution is dependent on a host of factors. The factors aiding in the quest for the overall solution are as follows:

As much as companies like Ecolink work toward finding the solution that provides the ultimate safe cleaning solvent, the truth is that there are no perfect substitutes in any attempt to eliminate completely hazardous solvents at home or in the workplace. If the ultimate safe solution actually existed, the professionals at Ecolink would like to think that, everyone, whether at home or in the professional setting, would be using that particular solvent. Every cleaning solvent carries a matrix of risk factors for environmental, health, and / or safety reasons. Inevitably, any chemical choice involves weighing the alternatives, or the pros and cons between each chemical cleaning product.

Ecolink places every product within a “hazard ladder,” to assist in the selection process for a particular cleaning application. While this hierarchy is both technical and subjective, it provides a sound foundation for evaluating alternative chemical cleaners for each specific application. Keep in mind that the circumstances of your specific chemical application pertaining to your cleaning need will override any set of assumptions you might have. The hierarchy listed below is relative to site-specific influences and benefits related to a given chemical. The list is written in such a way that the levels of hazard increase from the top, moving down:

  1. Avoid the need to clean: As ridiculous as this might seem, you and/or your business can identify ways to prevent the part that needs cleaning from becoming dirty in the first place. Once you identify these possibilities, be sure to evaluate and implement if they are deemed advantageous to keeping your parts cleaned.
  2. Modify the part for containment: This can be accomplished through the use of no-clean flux, water based cutting fluids, and non solvent based cleaning technology.
  3. Use high pressure water, or water based cleaners: For certain products, though several parts, items, and materials fall under this category for effective cleaning, you will be surprised how effective high pressure water cleaning can be. Use non halogenated, non flammable solvent technology.
  4. Use terpene, aliphatic hydrocarbon, and dibasic esters: This is not optimal, because it requires the use of flammable solvent technology, but it is still better and safer than many other options.
  5. Use alcohol and / or acetone: Also not optimal, but they are not ozone depleting, and they are considered a low toxicity halogenated solvents.
  6. Use HFE and HFC blends: Not as recommended as number five, but still safer than many other cleaning solvents, both HFE and HFC are non ozone depleting halogenated solvents.
  7. Use N-Propyl Bromide and/or TCE: A last resort based on this list, but similar to number six, it is still a better alternative than several other types of chemical cleaning solutions.

Is your Company Aware of the Proposed Regulations for Industrial Cleaning Solvents?

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industrial cleaningOne of the most important aspects involved in operating an industrial business is ensuring your company is aware of newly proposed regulations, guidelines, and procedures as it pertains to industrial cleaning solvents. Why is a consistently high level of awareness needed regarding industrial cleaning solvents? At present – and all should feel fortunate to have so many different types of agencies and organizations looking out for potential hazardous agents – there are so many more watchdog organizations in existence that help ensure that an eco friendly, green alternative mindset is pushed to maximize the safety of people, and the environment. The reasons for the increase in watchdog groups are many: the heightened recognition of detrimental aspects involving industrial operations and habits, and how those habits and operations impact the earth; increase in environmental awareness; the realization of so many hazardous chemicals in existence; and proof through research and testing that those hazardous chemicals in use have caused people to experience serious illnesses, and in some cases, death.

Environmental protection organizations and agencies are increasingly proposing at a more frequent rate new regulations that are often based on the findings of the Environmental Protection Agency, also known as the EPA. The EPA has a devised and structured set of mandatory rules and regulations, known as the Control Techniques Guidelines, or CTG, which specifically cites what is right and wrong when using Industrial cleaning solvents. The intention of CTG is to comprehensively cover all industrial cleaning operations that are not already regulated by other sources or set of guidelines.

As it pertains to the category of industrial cleaning solvents, the CTG included a variety of industrial products that are used to remove contaminants, such as adhesives, inks, paint, soil, oil, and grease. In the newly set proposed regulations, compliant solvents must completely satisfy one or both of the following Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) limits:

  • A Volatile Organic Compound content must be less than or equal to fifty grams of VOC per liter (gram of VOC per liter) (0.42 pounds of VOC per gallon (pond of VOC per gal)) of cleaning solvent material.
  • A VOC composite vapor pressure has to be equal to or less than eight millimeters of mercury, at sixty-eight degrees Fahrenheit, or twenty degrees Celsius.
  • If your industrial organization generates less than fifteen pounds of VOC per day from industrial cleaning unit operations, then it can still use non-compliant solvents, as long as your industrial operations maintain all of the required records proving the fact.

Industrial facilities that are generating fifteen pounds of VOC per day or more from industrial cleaning unit operations are required to use mandated and compliant coatings, or otherwise install an add-on air pollution control device.

Prevention of Chemical Water Pollution – Keeping our Water Safe

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clean waterMany people enjoy planting vegetation, herbs, and other types of plants and greenery when the warmer seasons permit. In addition, people with lawns and a good bit of land must perform lawn care in order to keep their lawns looking nice. Unfortunately, and as any lawn care service provider and casual gardener can attest, with planting and lawn care come issues that must be dealt with. Pests, insects, fungus, and weeds are some of the many problems that persist when trying to plant a nice garden or take care of your lawn. Lawn control care products do exists that help fight off these myriad issues, however, many of these chemical lawn care products have issues of their own. Pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides are all poisons designed to destroy pests, weeds, and fungus. The problem resides when the poisons find themselves permeating into waterways and leach into ground water systems, which consequently leads to serious water pollution and very damaging effects for both human health and the health of the environment. Some pesticides are so hazardous that a handful are have been identified as carcinogenic, while others can cause reproductive defects and even damage vital organs. Even many fertilizers that are used to feed agricultural productivity are considered detrimental because they add excess nitrates and phosphates to both the soil and water. Just in the last few decades alone, findings of nitrogen and phosphorus in soil stemming from both sewage and excess fertilizer, which poisons both soil and water, has almost quadrupled.

How do we keep our water safe? First, identify preventive measures. Some preventive measures include using eco friendly, green alternative chemical lawn care products that minimize and altogether eliminate harmful poisons found in these products. Ecolink can provide people with comprehensive information regarding eco friendly, green alternative chemical lawn care products, along with how to make a seamless transition to these products. In addition, there is far too much waste when using these chemical lawn care products. Both lawn care service providers and even casual gardeners purchase far too much chemical lawn care products that end up being wasted, dumped, and thrown out, or even used to excess, which consequently leads to more water pollution. At least, as it pertains to lawn care service providers, there are chemical leasing options that directly reduce chemical waste. A leasing agreement allows the lawn care service provider to receive only the necessary amount of chemical lawn care products, as long as that service provider buys the product only from the seller. This is a wonderful way to prevent chemical water pollution.

If you require more information on leasing chemical lawn care products and where to find eco friendly, green alternative chemical lawn care products, consulting with Ecolink will definitely get you on the right track.

Why your Business Should Use Less Chemicals

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indutrial solventsOne of the first preventive measures parents take with their children when their little ones are still very young is to instruct them to stay away from dangerous items around the house. Almost always, some type of chemical product, or multiple products is involved. If you have dangerous chemical around the house – most of which are used for cleaning, but can produce serious harm or even deadly if placed in the hands of an unsuspecting toddler – imagine what kind of hazardous chemicals are in the possession of industrial businesses. The fact of the matter is that most chemicals present a dangerous element, no matter what state it is in – liquid or gas – and is harmful to both the environment and to people who are regularly within close proximity to it. What these industrial businesses need to do is find methods, ways, or even substitution options that will allow them to use less chemicals, because no matter how effective the chemical might be for its intended use, there is absolutely no justification for placing people and the environment in harm’s way.

reduce reuse repurposeAs briefly touched on in the previous paragraph, the most important reason industrial businesses need to use less chemicals in the workplace is because many chemical that are fused with hazardous toxins have proven to be linked to both short term and long term health issues involving people who were in regular contact or proximity with the chemical. Some of these health issues are so detrimental to the health of an individual that in some cases, it has led to death. How can this be? Some chemicals still in use have been detected to have carcinogens, meaning those people who work in an environment that uses such chemicals are exposing themselves to cancer, which consequently leads to dreadful health issues, some of which can even result in agonizing pain and death. As stated earlier, no matter how effective and efficient a chemical product is, if it can hurt the people who are employed to utilize its function, then the use needs to be stopped immediately.

Another reason why industrial businesses need to stop using chemicals is that they also harm the environment. Research and testing prove that hazardous chemicals kills plant life, destroys soil, poisons water sources, and emits impurities into the air that people breathe, as well as emits toxins that deplete the ozone. Again, the main issue involves injuring and killing resources found on our planet. There is simply no justification to use chemicals whose chemical compounds can be so destructive.

Industrial businesses need to work harder at finding methods to and solutions that allows them to use fewer chemicals. Another option is to switch to eco friendly, green alternative chemicals, most of which will perform the necessary duties as effectively as your previous chemical solvent, but minus the risk of harming people and/or the environment.