Mark Jankovich, CEO of Delphis Eco (a UK company that exclusively makes ecological cleaning chemicals for the commercial cleaning sector) recently met Caroline Lucas, the first Green Party MP in the UK.
They had a very fruitful discussion about a number of activities that Delphis Eco are doing and how they could work more closely with the Green Party. At the end of the meeting Caroline asked Mark if there were any questions he would like tabled at Parliamentary Question time. (This is a huge achievement for such a young company to get such high profile access).
Caroline tabled a single question to:
· Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA)
· Minister for the Cabinet Office
· Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport
· London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG)
“Will the right honorable gentlemen make it their policy to require all cleaning contracts held with their Department to stipulate that the cleaning products used should be EU Ecolabel products accredited by DEFRA; and if they will make a statement.”
Very disappointingly not a single government department came back with an answer stating that it was their department’s policy. Slightly alarming was that DEFRA gave a £500 million contract to Interserve in 2008 and never stipulated the need to use accredited cleaning chemicals.
The stock answer from all four departments was that they all use super concentrated products therefore are totally environmentally friendly. Their efforts must be applauded but their lack of knowledge is concerning. There are a number of ecological DEFRA accredited products that come in super concentrate form but which are significantly less harmful than what’s currently being used.
Surely the government’s first step in its attempt to go green is for DEFRA itself to stipulate using the ecological cleaning chemicals that it provides accreditation for in its own departmental buildings?
Delphis Eco was the first company in the UK to gain the EU Ecolabel. The EU Ecolabel takes into consideration environmental issues and very keenly sets apart the criteria for ecological ingredients. The Ecolabel is also synonymous with product efficiency and is awarded only to those products which meet and exceed strict ecological and performance criteria.
Delphis Eco’s accredited range is highly effective because of the modern technology used to make their products – no longer does the green choice have to mean a compromise in product efficiency. The Delphis Eco cleaning chemicals compete head to head with the market leaders on performance but are cost neutral or even, in some cases, more cost effective. Delphis Eco products now clean 1000 Office and General sites and over 800 Iceland stores. Both companies found they have saved money by switching over to Delphis Eco and have admitted that the ecological chemicals used are as effective as the previous ranges used.
For more information about Delphis Eco, the EU Ecolabel or for the full answers to the Parliamentary Questions please visit the Delphis Eco website www.delphiseco.com.
The EU Ecolabel: FACTS
§ Ecolabel products deliver high performance and environmental quality, verified by a robust and independent certification process
§ Ecolabel products really are kinder to the environment. The Ecolabel criteria look at every stage of a product’s lifecycle – from manufacturing through use and disposal
§ The Ecolabel is credible, comprehensive, wide-ranging and influential.
