Multiple BioPreferred Program Participants Win GH Sustainability and Cleaning Awards
 Good Housekeeping (GH) recently announced that several USDA BioPreferred® Program participants received 2021 GH Sustainable Innovation Awards and Cleaning Awards. Winning brands demonstrate that biobased products can be high-performing, quality products that are also innovative solutions to combat climate change.
Nearly 200 contenders for the third annual Sustainable Innovation Awards were evaluated by GH scientists and industry experts to assess such factors as energy, water, and waste reduction; recycled content and recyclability; reusability and functionality of packaging; corporate social responsibility efforts; and goals for carbon neutrality, zero waste, and more. The 2021 Cleaning Awards candidates were evaluated and selected by GH Cleaning Lab and GH Institute professionals and nearly 70 consumer testers.
These and thousands of other biobased products are ideal options if you are charged with Greening the Government!
Sustainable Innovation Awards
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Earth Friendly Products’ ECOS brand was recognized by GH for its climate-positive product line: “This year, cleaning products producer ECOS added to its carbon- and water neutral, zero waste-certified accomplishments by announcing that it’s a Climate Positive company, meaning it regenerates more energy, water, and carbon than it uses or emits in manufacturing.” Earth Friendly Products was one of the first 500 companies to apply for and receive the USDA Certified Biobased Product label; ECOS now has more than 50 USDA Certified Biobased Products.
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Grove Collaborative earned an award for its waste-cutting cleaning solutions: “Grove Collaborative’s concentrated plant-based cleaners are packaged in easy-to-recycle mini glass bottles with aluminum caps. You simply mix the concentrate with water in the brand’s pre-labeled reusable Twist and Slide Glass Spray Bottle, which comes with a nonslip silicone sleeve.” Grove Collaborative currently has more than 20 USDA Certified Biobased Products.
Cleaning Awards
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Seventh Generation won for its Free and Clear Dish Liquid: “A simple way to green your cleaning is with a dish liquid. This one from Seventh Generation doesn’t disappoint: It’s 95% USDA Certified Biobased and comes in a 100% recycled plastic bottle—and it works! Lab Results: Tops in GH Cleaning Lab tests of plant-based dish liquids and with consumer testers, this uses enzymes to dissolve away tough stains and dried rood and rinses off easily.”
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Proctor and Gamble’s 9 Elements Purifying Softener (USDA Certified Biobased Product 95%) was recognized: “If you use vinegar or, worse, soak your laundry in the bathtub to remove buildup, 9 Elements is a better option. Lab Results: This first-of-its-kind laundry product ‘softens’ by removing hard-water residues in the rinse cycle, without imparting the vinegar smell or waxy feel regular softeners can. Our load emerged fresh and soft.”
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ECOS also won in the Cleaning Awards category for its Liquidless Laundry Detergent Squares (USDA Certified Biobased Product 40%): “Consumers loved the idea of convenient dry sheets and freedom from heavy plastic jugs. Lab Results: Kudos to ECOS for its forward-thinking approach to laundry. These plant-based detergent squares dissolve completely; enzymes help remove stains. We had very good results.”
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Art of Green earned honors for its Multisurface Cleaning Spray: “Who says plant-based cleaners don’t work? Art of Green, a 60% USDA Certified Biobased Product, cleans kitchens, baths and more. Lab Results: Lab and Consumer testers alike praised Art of Green’s grease-cutting ability and reported that it performed better than others they’d tried. One said it best, ‘Wow!’”
Want to Strengthen Your Sustainable Acquisitions?
Try GSA’s Sustainable Facilities Tool (or SFTool)!
The General Services Administration (GSA) offers a variety of tools to support procurement activities and sustainable acquisition efforts. For example, the Sustainable Facilities Tool (SFTool) enables you to search for biobased and other sustainable products, get details on federal acquisition requirements, learn how to reduce indoor pollution, and access training to refine your efforts.
To find biobased products eligible for federal preferred procurement, enter BioPreferred in the search bar. Or, go directly to this page, where you can search for biobased services, product categories, and product types as well as search to find specific items. Search results will also provide:
- A list of all certifications a product has earned.
- Feedstock information related to product composition.
- Product uses.
- Links and details on where to buy.
Each time you see a BioPreferred Program -- Federal Purchasing link from within the SFTool, you can jump to our catalog for more product information and details.
Bookmark the BioPreferred Program search page in SFTool using this link. And be sure to return to the SFTool here, again and again whenever you have a new contract, are starting a project, or want to continue strengthening your approach to sustainable acquisition.
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Green Your Supply Contracts
with Biobased Products
As you likely know, the Executive Order (EO) 14008, Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad requires a government-wide approach to combatting the climate crisis. Specifically, it requires federal agencies to lead the nation’s efforts by aligning its procurement activities to support earth friendly outcomes.
Federal agencies are now applying a multi-dimensional approach, which includes greening their supply contracts. With 139 categories of biobased products designated for federal purchasing, contractors can choose from a wide array of supplies.
There are two easy ways you can make a difference:
- Insert Clause 223-1, Biobased Product Certification, in supply solicitations to give purchasing preference to biobased products.
- Strengthen supply solicitations by including biobased product requirements in your contract language.
By taking these steps, you help to grow the U.S. economy and American jobs, while doing good for the planet.
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