World’s first hand sanitizer to achieve EcoLogo certification launched
Purell Green Certified Instant Hand Santizer (Purell is a Johnson & Johnson trademark used under license) complies with EcoLogo’s recently launched Instant Hand Antiseptic Products standard.
In order for product compliance to be established, a review of currently available lifecycle information including environmental hazards, product recyclability and the use of raw materials is undertaken.
In addition, a product must contain 73 percent biobased content, or demonstrate compliance with the USDA BioPreferred Program, according to EcoLogo.
Eco credentials
Purell Green is available in both gel and foam format, and the fragrance- and dye-free formula is claimed to kill 99.9 percent of illness-causing common germs, as well as conditioning the skin.
Made from 100 percent naturally renewable ethanol in a readily biodegradable formula, the product’s packaging is also designed with sustainability in mind.
Purell Green is packaged in lightweight, recyclable PET bottles made with 30 percent less material and the same durability as a standard rigid HDPE bottle. According to Gojo, this helps save over 250 tons of plastic a year.
“Purell Green is another embodiment of the Gojo sustainability commitment to social, environmental and economic principles,” said Kathleen Hooker, globalmarketing director at Gojo.
“We strive to work in sustainable ways to enhance the quality of people’s lives by reducing risks to health and well-being, and to reduce the negative impacts on our ecosystem,” she added.
Hand Sanitizer standard
EcoLogo's standard for hand santizers focuses on those that are used in an ‘away from home’ environment - that is, products used outside of a personal residence, for example, dental and physician offices, schools and businesses.
Launching the standard earlier this year, Scot Case, vice president of TerraChoice and manager of the EcoLogo Program commented: “Hand Sanitizers is a new product category for EcoLogo and this new standard will allow purchasers to select hand sanitizing products with reduced environmental and health impacts.”
EcoLogo also has a standard for personal care products that encompasses body washes, shampoos, conditioners, moisturizers and soaps.
