"Mainstream cleaning products are already green"

Legislation surrounding the cleaning product industry in the UK means there is little difference between mainstream and 'green-top' products, according to one industry expert.

Regulations have recently been introduced in the US state of California which requires cleaning product manufacturers to disclose all chemicals on the packaging and reduce those which are harmful to the environment, the Financial Times reported.

The change is likely to have a far reaching impact on the industry in the US, as all products sold in the state will have to comply.

According to Philip Malpass, director general of UK Cleaning Products Industry Association, similar rules already apply in Britain and there are both commercial and regulatory reasons for mainstream cleaning product manufacturers to make their detergents more green. This means there is often little difference between these products and those branded as environmentally friendly.

However, he said that often the 'green tops' are less efficient, meaning clothes or dishes are required to be washed twice.

"From an environmental or a carbon footprint point of view, using a mainstream product once is far more beneficial than a green top," Mr Malpass said.

Source: Low Carbon Economy

Photo provided by DesignBliss-Flickr