Covered Services
Detergent used to wash clothing and other textiles.
Definitions
Laundry Detergent – a detergent that is used to wash clothing or textiles and can come in liquid or powder form.
Standard Setting and Certification Programs
Cradle to Cradle - is a multi-attribute eco-label that evaluates a wide range of products across five categories of human and environmental health. The standard includes material health, material reutilization, renewable energy and carbon management, and water stewardship.
Green Seal - is a non-profit, independent, third-party standard-setting and certification organization that follows the Guiding Principles and Procedures for Type I Environmental Labeling adopted by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO 14024). Green Seal has developed environmental standards and certifies products for more than 40 major product categories.
UL EcoLogo - is an independent, third-party standard-setting and certification program that follows the Guiding Principles and Procedures for Type I Environmental Labeling adopted by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO 14024). Since its establishment in 1988, EcoLogo has been recognized or referenced in hundreds of specifications and standards. It has standards for cleaning products, sanitary paper, trash bags, adhesives and more.
USDA Biobased - is a third-party certification of the biobased content in a product and its packaging administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The content is quantified using ASTM International D6866.
Specifications
Purchase Concentrates or in Bulk
All affected entities shall, to the maximum extent practicable, purchase laundry detergent in concentrate or in bulk to limit the amount of packaging. In addition, all affected entities should consider purchasing products that come in powder or strip form to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from shipping.
Purchase Laundry Detergent That Meets Specifications
All affected entities shall purchase laundry detergent that comply with the chemical restriction provisions of article 35 of the New York state environmental conservation law.
All affected entities shall, to the maximum extent practicable, purchase laundry detergent that meets one, or both, of the following third-party certifications:
- Green Seal (GS-51)
- UL EcoLogo (ULE 2776)
In addition, all affected entities are encouraged, to the maximum extend practicable, to purchase laundry detergent that also carries one, or both, of the following third party certifications:
- Cradle to Cradle
- USDA BioBased
Use Only What You Need
All affected entities are encouraged, to the maximum extent practicable, to use dispensing systems for laundry detergent, or to have procedures and staff training in place to ensure only the necessary amount is used.
Packaging
Packaging shall comply with Environmental Conservation Law section 37-0205. Packaging shall not contain inks, dyes, pigments, adhesives, stabilizers, or any other additives to which any lead, cadmium, mercury, or hexavalent chromium is intentionally added or contain incidental concentrations of lead, cadmium, mercury or hexavalent chromium which together are greater than 100 parts per million by weight (0.01%).
New York State encourages affected entities to adopt the following in order of preference when purchasing items that come in packaging:
- Items that do not need packaging, or the packaging is part of the product.
- Items that come in reusable packaging.
- Items that come in bulk packaging.
- Items that come in innovative packaging that reduces the amount of packaging.
- Items that come in packaging that remains the property of the supplier and does not become the property of the end user under any circumstance or condition. The vendor shall certify that the packaging material will be reused, recycled, or composted, and managed in compliance with applicable local, state, and federal laws.
- Items that come in packaging that maximizes recycled or biodegradable (compostable) content and/or meets or exceeds the minimum post-consumer content level for packaging in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines. Biodegradable products should only be used in areas where a composting facility exists that accept the material.
- Items that come in Packaging that is recyclable or biodegradable (compostable). Biodegradable products should only be used in areas where a composting facility exists and will accept the material.