AmSan Partners Up With Energy Management Consultants

Energy Management Consultants, Inc.

Providing our customers with the most state-of-the-art, energy efficient lighting systems available today!

EMC has established itself as a highly regarded energy management company serving clients in the commercial, industrial, retail, and institutional sectors throughout New England and New York since 1993.

Our turn-key services offer our customers a 1-step, single point of contact approach to implementing upgrades.

Energy Analysis
EMC’s Lighting Software
Incentives/ Rebates/Tax Deductions
Project Management
Financing Services
Guaranteed Savings

Energy Analysis: Our initial assessment begins with a complete analysis of the current equipment being used in your facility. EMC is then able to determine the appropriate measures of energy conservation to deliver a summary of energy saving potentials to you, the customer. We want our customers to make decisions based on information, opportunity and priority .

EMC’s Lighting Software:The EMC "Lighting Surveyor" is a proprietary custom-developed software package that supports EMC's lighting upgrade methodology. The core of this methodology is the "Conservation Measure.” A conservation measure specifies a "from" and a "to." It might involve replacing entire fixtures or sets of fixtures, re-lamping existing fixtures, or the installation of lighting control devices such as motion sensor switches. A Lighting Survey involves capturing a set of conservation measures to be applied along with ancillary information such as usage patterns, room numbers, etc. that can vary on a fixture by fixture basis. Lighting Surveyor calculates project and per-fixture cost savings taking into account complex utility rate plans, lighting usage patterns, and indirect (e.g. maintenance) costs. It incorporates per-project quotes for labor, material, and disposal to calculate net cost savings on both a per-fixture and project basis. A wide variety of analysis and project management reports can be generated including project role-up, cost-savings, RFQ's, PO's, work orders, etc. Key reports can be output to Microsoft Word or Excel for electronic communication with partners. Lighting Surveyor also supports Lighting Management activities via the same survey used for lighting upgrades with an additional set of reports.

Incentives/ Rebates/Tax Deductions: Most local, state and federal utilities offer consumers rebates and incentives for reducing their energy consumption. EMC maintains a knowledgeable staff and database of all incentives available for our customers. In addition, the Federal Government (EPAct 05) is currently offering incentives in the form of tax deductions. EMC will analyze our customer’s application and provide all administrative services to maximize both utility incentives and government tax deductions.

Project Management: The primary focus of our turn-key upgrades is to allow our customers to continue to focus on their business at hand.

• Material Management – including ordering, receiving, storage, inventory and returns.
• Project Management of electrical sub-contractors – insuring on time, on budget installation.
• Project Timeline – setting start and completion dates to meet customer’s needs.
• Project Tracking – periodic (as appropriate) review and reporting of project progress.
• Customer problem solving.
• Follow through - post customer and utility walkthroughs to assure complete customer satisfaction.

Financing Services : Businesses today are sometimes faced with constrained budgets. EMC will assist our customers with financing plans that allow for the savings to cover the cost of financing. This approach eliminates the need for capital monies in turn, helping our customers implement energy savings projects.

Guaranteed Savings: EMC will guarantee kW reductions.


For more information or to schedule your Free Energy Saving Audit please contact Steve Kolesar-AmSan Sales Rep in NH at 603-548-4218 or skolesar@amsan.com

Why Your Cleaning Company Should Buy From Janitorial Distributors !

There is no getting around it - your cleaning business needs high quality cleaning supplies and equipment so you and your employees can effectively do the job of taking care of your clients' buildings. There are several places you can buy the chemicals you need to clean. Over 50% of the respondents to a recent survey done by thejanitorialstore.com showed they buy their supplies from a big box retailer. But there is a better solution to buying cleaning supplies and equipment than purchasing Lysol, 409, or window cleaner from a large retail store. A janitorial supplies distributor can supply your cleaning company with professional products and much more.

At first glance the cleaning products bought through a janitorial distributor may seem to be higher in cost than the products bought from a big box retailer. However, the professional quality products you get from a distributor are higher quality products that clean better and more efficiently.

Distributors have products available in concentrated form, which means a small amount goes a long way. You'll actually be spending less than you would if you bought from a retailer. The price may initially seem higher, but once you see how far concentrates stretch just by adding water, you will see that buying cleaning products in a concentrated form is a bargain. Distributors may also offer quantity discounts for high volume purchases.

In addition to higher quality products and the ability to offer volume discounts, there are many other reasons that your cleaning business will benefit from doing business with a janitorial supplies distributor:

Distributors keep records of the items that you buy. They also keep track of warranty information. Distributors can also provide you with MSDS sheets and OSHA's right to know information on the cleaning products that you buy from them. As you know, you're required to have MSDS sheets on all cleaning chemicals you use and have them available for your employees. Most retailers won't be able to offer MSDS sheets.

Janitorial supply distributors have in-depth product knowledge. Looking for a product to give your restrooms a "fresh smell"? Forget about buying Pinesol from a retailer. Pinesol has a strong smell that people may find offensive. A distributor will be able to recommend a suitable air freshener for your particular situation. A good distributor can recommend products and will know if a lower priced product is just as effective as a higher priced item.

Don't know how to use a cleaning product or piece of equipment? Your distributor will be able to train you and your employees on how to use new products and equipment properly. Your distributor will also be able to share information on how to use products that can help your staff become more efficient. Rather than saving just a few pennies by buying a product from a retailer, you can save a substantial amount in labor savings with the product information you can get from a distributor.

Equipment breakdown? Some distributors may even offer repair service for your cleaning equipment saving you the time and headaches of sending your equipment back to the manufacturer for repairs.

Do you need a specialized cleaning product for a building or job? Your distributor will have suggestions for the product you need and if he does not have it on hand will know where to order it from.

Pricing alone should not dictate where you buy the supplies for your cleaning business. The value you get by buying cleaning supplies from an experienced distributor is priceless. Rather than saving a dollar or two on cleaning products by buying through a big box store, you can save hundreds of dollars on staff time by working with your distributor. And those savings will lead directly to more profit in your pocket!

Copyright 2006 The Janitorial Store

For a location near you please contact AmSan-Americas leading distributor of janitorial and cleaning products or visit us online at www.amsan.com or www.gorenonwn.com

Butchers Outpost Dilution Unit-Simple, Safe & Economical.

OutpostTM/MC - The simple, safe, flexible & economical unit

The compact dispensing system that dilutes multiple products from a single unit


*COLOR AND NUMBER CODED LABELS with use icons for easy identification.


*EASY TO HANDLE BOTTLES and simple unit engagement make product changes a snap. Bottle locks in place.



*CONTROL KNOB locks on for hands free bucket fill, but requires manual hold for safer bottle fill.



*TWO FILLING PORTS for safer, low-flow bottle fill and fast, high-flow bucket fill.



*CONVENIENT HOSE HANDLE clips onto buckets and equipment for hands-free fillings.




*SIMPLE USE ICONS for easy identification.



*TOUGH PLASTIC EXTERIOR for years of use.



*SEALED BOTTLE is leak-resistant for worker safety.

For more information on all of the Butchers Products contact Steve Kolesar in NH at 603-548-4218 or skolesar@amsan.com or online at www.amsanne.com

Butchers RTD Dispensing System-Simple, Reliable & Accurate.

RTD Dispensing System

RTD™ Dispensing System- Our latest innovation in dispensing technology

Every facility can now afford the benefits of dilution control




A new dispenser with every bottle that assures you 24 / 7 / 365 reliability

No service requirements increases productivity with no down time

With no equipment to buy, you can have more dispensers in your facility increasing efficiency by decreasing trips to the supply closet

Ready-to-dispense right out of the box.



No Maintenance, No Equipment Cost Dispensing Setting New Standards in:

Simplicity
EASY TO USE. Requires virtually no training.
· SIMPLE INSTALLATION. Use right out of the box. No product or metering devices to connect.
· EASY TO UNDERSTAND CONTROL KNOB. Simple icons indicate different positions.
· INTUITIVE DESIGN makes operation a snap.

* Operating instructions enclosed in each case.

Economy
· SUPERCONCENTRATED PRODUCTS deliver more gallons of RTU products than conventional packaging.
· BUILT-IN DILUTION TIPS. Pre-installed metering ensures accuracy and eliminates over-use.

Versatility
· DIFFERENT FILL RATES. High flow for efficiency, low flow for low foam.
· PORTABILITY - EASY TO CARRY. Makes transporting convenient.
· COMPACT DESIGN. Fits in small places and can be wall mounted with optional kits

Accuracy
· PATENTED CHEMICAL METERING SYSTEM. Precision metering disks ensure consistent and accurate dilution.
· LINEAR VACUUM PROFILE. Vacuum changes with pressure to ensure proper chemical metering.

Safety
· NO CHEMICAL CONNECTIONS. The dispenser is a permanent part of the package, ensuring proper connection and no exposure to concentrate.
· SEALED BOTTLE. No contact with concentrated chemical increases worker safety.
· SPECIALLY DESIGNED HANDLE. Promotes proper use while decreasing chance of error while operating.

For more information on Butchers Complete product line contact Steve Kolesar in NH at 603-548-4218 or skolesar@amsan.com or visit us online at http://www.amsanne.com/

AmSan-Authorized Butchers Janitorial Supplies Distributor in NH & ME

March 24, 2009

To Whom It May Concern:

RE: Butcher Distribution Excellence

Butcher’s has for decades focused on providing the highest valued services in the industry. For
this reason, we seek out local distributors that have demonstrated a commitment to this same
philosophy.

We carefully select our distributor partners who can provide an array of professional services to
match our proven products such as training, customer service & technical support, and that will
maintain sufficient warehouse stock to provide unmatched customer satisfaction.

AmSan New England for more than 50 years showed the commitment to excellence, earning
their place as an authorized Butcher distributor for the New Hampshire and Maine area.

The purpose of this letter is to announce to our valued customers that AmSan, effective March
25th 2009 will be an authorized Butchers Distributors; specific to Maine and New Hampshire.

Should you have any questions, feel free to call me directly @ 716-650-4033 or Jerry Womack,
Manufacturer District Sales Manager for the North East @ 978-223-1639 or Steve Kolesar at 603-548-4218

Thank you for choosing Butcher’s.

Sincerely,


Area Vice President -Northeast

8310 16th Street
Sturtevant, WI 53177
Phone (716) 650-4033

Swine Flu Prevention-What Can You Do to Avoid Swine Influenza

The Department of Health and Human Services has declared a public health emergency in the United States in response to the rise in the number of confirmed cases reported of Swine Influenza (H1N1).

According to the CDC, person-to-person transmission of flu occurs mainly through coughing or sneezing of people infected with the influenza virus. People may become infected by touching something with the flu viruses on it and then touching their mouths or noses.
Guidance published by the CDC for infection control advises that "disinfection strategies used during influenza seasons can be applied to the environmental management of swine influenza." Additional guidance published for infection control recommends keeping "surfaces (especially tables, surfaces in the bathroom, and toys for children) clean by wiping them down with a disinfectant according to directions on the product label."

The CDC currently recommends the following precautionary measures:
• Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
• Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
• If you get sick, CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.

For the products and supplies needed to combat the Swine Flu virus, including disinfectants, hand sanitizers, hand soap, gloves & masks.
Contact Steve Kolesar, AmSan Sales Rep in NH, at skolesar@amsan.com or visit us online at www.amsanne.com or www.gorenown.com

AmSan Joins the Premier Group as a Preferred Supplier

Hospitals, healthcare providers to save with Premier’s new paper and janitorial supply distribution agreements
CHARLOTTE, N.C.(November 6, 2008)– Premier Purchasing Partners, LP, today announced news agreements for paper and janitorial supply distribution have been awarded to AmSan LLC of Deerfield, Ill.; Afflink Inc. of Tuscaloosa, Ala.; Network Services Company of Mount Prospect, Ill.; and Unisource Worldwide Inc. of Norcross, Ga.
Effective November 1, 2008, the agreements are available to acute care and continuum of care members of the Premier healthcare alliance.
About Premier Inc., 2006 Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award recipient
Serving more than 2,100 U.S. hospitals and 53,000-plus other healthcare sites, the Premier healthcare alliance and its members are transforming healthcare together. Owned by not-for-profit hospitals, Premier operates one of the leading healthcare purchasing networks and the nation's most comprehensive repository of hospital clinical and financial information. A subsidiary operates one of the nation's largest policy-holder owned, hospital professional liability risk-retention groups. A world leader in helping healthcare providers deliver dramatic improvements in care, Premier is working with the United Kingdom's National Health Service North West and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to improve hospital performance. Headquartered in San Diego, Premier has offices in Charlotte, N.C., Philadelphia and Washington. For more information, visit www.premierinc.com .
For more information on AmSan products and services in NH contact Steve Kolesar at skolesar@amsan.com or visit our website at www.amsanne.com

AmSan Launches New MRO Products Catalog

AmSan the nations largest distributor of Cleaning & Janitorial Supplies has just launched a brand new MRO supplies catalog containing over 20,000 items in categories such as Electrical & Lighting, HVAC, Plumbing, Appliances, Security & Hardware and much more. All industrial supplies will we warehoused in our brand new state of the art, 212,000 sq ft warehouse in Auburn, MA which means 24-48 hour turnaround on all orders. Our pricing is very competetive in the marketplace to companies such as Grainger, McMaster Carr, and MSC supply. I invite you to take a look at AmSan-Your True One stop resource for all of your Facility Maintenance Supplies. For more information on products and pricing please contact Steve Kolesar in NH at skolesar@amsan.com

OVERVIEW OF GREEN CLEANING IN SCHOOLS

Green Schools Initiative, September 2008

Schools, Cleaners and Children’s Environmental Health

Cleaning products used in schools contain an array of hazardous chemicals, including carcinogens, reproductive toxins, neurotoxins, and chemicals that cause asthma, and they contribute to poor indoor air quality and smog formation. These cleaning chemicals are also routinely washed down the drain where they find their way into drinking water, lakes and streams, adversely affecting plant and animal life, threatening public health and adding to pollution. The cleaning industry consumes six billion pounds of chemicals annually, including non-renewable resources such as petroleum.

Today there are hundreds of less-toxic cleaning products available on the market that are cost-effective and perform well. One-fifth of Americans spends their day in one of our 120,000 schools. Children spend 90 percent of their day indoors in a school and are more vulnerable to chemical exposures. There is no reason for children – or teachers, custodians or school staff – to be unnecessarily exposed to these chemicals at school. The states of New York and Illinois have already passed laws requiring schools to use environmentally-sensitive cleaners, and more states have bills pending. Many school districts across the country are voluntarily making the switch.

Health and Environmental Effects of Cleaners

Industrial and institutional cleaners have numerous hazardous ingredients:

* 30% of cleaners used in schools are known to cause human health or environmental problems.
* Chemicals of concern found in cleaners: phthalates, glycol ethers, ethanolamines, quaternary ammonium compounds, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), formaldehyde, benzene, and many, many more.
* 12% of work-related asthma can be linked to cleaning product exposure (Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, May 2003). Teachers and custodians have much higher incidence of asthma compared to the general workforce (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
* Six out of every one hundred janitors in Santa Clara County, California experience chemical-related injuries such as serious burns to the eyes or skin. Santa Clara County spends about $750,000 per year on medical expenses and lost job time for these chemical-related injuries (Center for New American Dream). Washington State reports similar experiences with janitorial injuries (US EPA 2007)
* Animal studies indicate chemicals in cleaners can cause birth defects, cancer, and reproductive harm (Women’s Voices for the Earth).
* Indoor air pollution can be up to 100 times higher than outdoor levels after some cleaning activities, especially regarding VOCs. VOC levels after cleaning can exceed safety levels established for industrial settings (California Air Resources Board, April 2006).
* In California, nearly one million children have asthma. Asthma is the main cause of hospitalization for children under 15 and is the primary cause of school absenteeism from a chronic illness. Cleaners used in schools are associated with triggering asthma in children. (California Breathing)



Benefits of Green Cleaners

Thankfully, there are now hundreds of less toxic commercial and institutional cleaning products available on the market that have been independently certified to exclude carcinogens, reproductive toxins and other hazardous chemicals. Many school districts are finding that they can save money by switching to green cleaners that are concentrated so they use less, can reduce absenteeism, and can improve staff and student health:

* Switching to green cleaners can significantly improve indoor air quality, reducing cleaning-related health problems and absenteeism and increasing performance of students and staff alike. The city of Santa Monica, California, for example, eliminated 3,200 pounds of hazardous materials by replacing traditional cleaning products with safer alternatives. (Center for New American Dream)



* Lockport Township High School, in Lockport, Ill., reported a 3 percent increase in the average daily attendance after the first year of implementing an Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Management plan that included green cleaning practices of switching to Green Seal certified products, using disinfecting wipes, and changing to vacuums equipped with HEPA filters. (Healthy Schools Campaign)



* Large institutional purchasers, including cities like Santa Monica, states like Massachusetts, and school districts like Chicago’s public schools, have conducted independent laboratory tests concluding that all of the safer products bought by the groups work as well or better than traditional cleaners. Additionally, products certified by Green Seal and Environmental Choice, U.S. and Canadian standard-setting and eco-labeling organizations, are required to pass stringent performance standards in addition to strict environmental and human health criteria. (Center for New American Dream)



Cost-Effectiveness of Green Cleaners

Green cleaning programs that include the use of less-toxic, concentrated cleaning products can simplify the cleaning process, can perform well, and can save schools money. Hundreds of school districts across the country have successfully been making the switch to green cleaners without hardship. There are numerous testimonials of the cost-effectiveness, and we include a sampling here:

* In 2003-2004, the Chicago Public Schools tested a green cleaning program. The price of Green Seal certified products was found to be cost-competitive with traditional products. In addition, the study found that not only were green cleaning products readily available, they also performed as well if not better than the conventional products. (Healthy Schools Campaign)



* The city of Santa Monica, California documented a five percent price savings after its switch to green cleaners3. (Center for New American Dream)



* Other public purchasers including the U.S. Department of Interior (including several National Parks), the Chicago Public School System, the City of Seattle, Washington, the states of Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Pennsylvania, and Vermont, Sarasota County, Florida and Alameda County, California have all reported that safer cleaners are cost competitive after adopting policies requiring the use of green cleaners. (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2005)



* Nick Cutri of the Canandaigua, NY School District said after he had switched that he saved a significant amount of money. Sandra Moulton of the Wolfeboro, NH High School saved enough money after switching to buy 2 new autoscrubbers. (INFORM)



* A three-month green cleaning pilot program at Grassy Waters Elementary School and Jeaga Middle School in the Palm Beach County School District in Florida proved that green cleaning saves money. The district saved $512.86 at one of the schools during the 3-month pilot. In June 2008, green cleaning will be required in all of the district’s 180 schools, multiplying the savings districtwide. (Palm Beach Post)



* Replacing 20 different cleaning products with a single Green Seal certified product has produced a $280,000 annual savings at the Riverside Military Academy in Gainesville, Georgia, using Green Seal certified cleaners to keep the 270 dorm rooms, and 100 bathrooms clean.



* In California, the Fairfield-Suisun, Martinez, San Francisco, and Santa Cruz City School Districts have started using environmentally sensitive cleaning products and practices with great success. Pilot tests have been initiated in Oakland Unified School District, Los Angeles Unified School District, and others. Numerous private schools are already using green cleaners, including Head Royce School, Lick Wilmerding High School, Prospect Sierra School and many, many others.



* School districts can often purchase green cleaning products through their state’s procurement contract, which can offer major discounts on products through their bulk purchasing agreements. Such procurement contracts, as well as buying cooperatives and the bidding process, can offer cost savings to schools.



Stephen Ashkin, President of The Ashkin Group, LLC, is a 27-year industry veteran and considered to be the “father of Green Cleaning.” He received the 2006 Children’s Environmental Health Excellence Award from the US Environmental Protection Agency for his work on green cleaning. He has introduced green cleaning programs in more than 1,000 buildings in the U.S. and Europe, and counts school districts, government agencies, and private businesses among his clients. Mr. Ashkin says, “In my experience, green cleaning programs more than pay for themselves. Benefits result from cost savings from simplified chemical and product purchases, reduced workplace injuries and sick leave, higher worker retention, and improved student attendance and academic performance.”

Starting a Green Cleaning Program

There are many resources available to help you start a green cleaning program at your school and safeguard the health of children and workers. Don’t reinvent the wheel!

Cleaning for Healthy Schools provides a Training Toolkit and other step-by-step information on how to do site walk-throughs, how to work with your school committee, and how to identify certified green cleaning products. www.cleaningforhealthyschools.org

Environmental Choice is Canada’s environmental product certification program, issuing standards for over 300 product categories (such as flooring, paint, cleaners, office furniture and other products that may emit formaldehyde, VOCs and other indoor air pollutants). www.environmentalchoice.com

Green Seal is a U.S. nonprofit organization that sets standards for products (such as less-toxic janitorial cleaners, floor strippers, and paints) and certifies products that meet those standards. Find certified products, standards, and Choose Green Reports at www.greenseal.org

INFORM is a nonprofit environmental research organization based in New York City. If offers free technical resources and fact sheets on its Cleaning for Health webpage, which links to its 2002 report on this subject as well as a Green Cleaning Tool Kit, designed for schools and other institutional facilities: www.informinc.org/project_cleaning_health.php

Janitorial Product Pollution Prevention Project (JP4) offers fact sheets, advice, a database of health risks of common cleaning product ingredients, and other resources designed to help custodial workers avoid or safely handle high-hazard cleaning chemicals and identify less-toxic replacements. The fact sheets are available in English and Spanish. www.wrppn.org/Janitorial/jp4.cfm

Calcium Magnesium Acetate (CMA): Replace the Deicer, not the Structure

Benefits

Low corrosion: less corrosive than tap water
Safe for concrete: the safest deicer for concrete
Excellent inhibitor: reduces chloride corrosion
Safe for the environment: biodegradable, low toxicity
Residual effect: requires fewer applications
Multi-purpose: use straight, with salt, with sand, or as a liquid
Performance

Works best above 20°F (-7°C)
Has long lasting effect - better than salt or urea
Breaks/inhibits bond between snow/ice and pavement
Creates a dry, powdery snow which improves traction

Application

Apply early in the storm to prevent snow/ice bonding
First application: Commercial = 15-20 lbs./1000 ft2 (75-100 g/m2)
Highway = 300-400 lbs./lane mile (20-40 g/m2)
Wait at least 20 minutes to remove snow/ice
Re-apply when new snow/ice accumulation shows first tendency to pack (bond)
Environment

Biodegrades to CO2 and H2O
Calcium and magnesium increase soil permeability
Essentially non-toxic to aquatic species
Poor mobility in soil – unlikely to reach groundwater
Safe for vegetation
Does not contain nitrogen, sodium, or chlorides

Handling

May be stored indefinitely if kept dry
Take care to avoid caking caused by excess moisture
Excessive handling may cause dustiness

ENVIRONMELT-THE GREEN SOLUTION ICE MELT

EnvironMelt - the Green Solution



* Specially enhanced with CMA (Calcium Magnesium Acetate), which guards against concrete and corrosion damage by forming a protective coating on the surface.
* Less harmful to vegetation. Reduces the amount of damage to grass, trees, or other vegetation.
* Reducing damage to wood and concrete makes this one of the safest deicing products.
* Easy to use, no protective clothing necessary.
* Safer for children and pets.
* Nature's own ingredients are combined to cause minimal harm to vegetation and plant life.
* Designed to reduce unsightly tracking or residue problems when used correctly.


For More information or to purchase Environmelt in NH please contact Steve Kolesar at 603-548-4218 or skolesar@amsan.com or visit us online at www.amsanne.com

AmSan-NH Best Choice for Janitorial and Cleaning Supplies

AmSan is the largest national distributor exclusively focused on providing janitorial products and solutions. We are a leading division of INTERLINE Brands, a $1.2b distribution company with over 170 locations throughout North America. We believe we are the BEST janitorial supply company because we offer the BEST: Brands, E-Commerce, Service and Training.

BRANDS – AmSan represents the Best in Class Brands that you have confidence in: Procter & Gamble, Rubbermaid, 3M, GOJO, Advance Equipment and Kimberly-Clark to name a few. We also offer you our Exclusive National Brand called Renown™, which provides quality performance at a competitive price.

E-COMMERCE – AmSan offers E-ACCESS, a robust online support tool which helps our customers place orders, review POD’s, Invoices, and MSDS sheets. In addition, AmSan provides work-loading and budget analysis programs to help our customers maximize their business goals.

SERVICE – AmSan differentiates from our competition with superior services: Factory Certified Equipment Technicians, PM and Equipment Rental programs, Dispenser Installation, Laundry technicians and Matting Specialists to help your organization be more productive.

TRAINING – Whether a customer is looking for training on Green Seal, Safety, Equipment In-service, or Waste Surveys; AmSan can provide standard or customized programs specifically designed to meet your needs.

AmSan is the BEST distributor in the US and our focus is to serve you with products and programs that provide a cleaner, safer and healthy environment.

For more information check us out online at www.amsanne.com

AmSan Launches New Renown Products Website!

A comprehensive line of janitorial and sanitary supplies from the nation’s leading jan-san distributor. Representing an in-depth knowledge of products and their performance characteristics. Interline Brands offers the exclusive brand of Renown products to address the unique needs of its customers. The comprehensive line offers products and solutions that enhance customer productivity, effi ciency and cost control. Available in a variety of jan-san categories. • Floor Care • Restroom Products • Carpet Care • Industrial Cleaners & • Degreasers • Disinfectancts • Odor Control Products • Special Purpose Cleaners • Insecticides • Can Liners.

For more information go to www.gorenown.com

Green Schools 101

green school /grEn skül / n. a school building or facility that creates a healthy environment that is conducive to learning while saving energy, resources and money

Why green schools?

20% of America goes to school every day. More than a quarter of these students and teachers attend schools that are considered substandard or dangerous to occupant health.

Public and private schools alike are realizing that going green is a no-brainer. On average, green schools save $100,000 per year – enough to hire two new teachers, buy 200 new computers or purchase 5,000 new textbooks.

If all new school construction and school renovations went green starting today, energy savings alone would total more than $20 billion over the next 10 years.

By promoting the design and construction of green schools, we can make a tremendous impact on student health, test scores, teacher retention, school operational costs and the environment.

Benefits of green schools

• A healthy, productive learning environment
• Improved teacher retention
• Financial savings
• Hands-on learning
• Environmentally friendly

Boston Law Requires Green Cleaning

Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino recently signed an executive order that requires city departments to purchase only environmentally friendly cleaning products, hire only cleaning contractors with a specific "green" certification and expand recycling programs, according to The Boston Globe.

The executive order requires:

1. All City of Boston departments adhere to the City’s new green cleaning policy both for all city-managed building maintenance programs and for any new contracted maintenance services.

2. Within 60 days, the City of Boston purchasing agent and the chief of public property, in consultation with City departments, shall publish Environmentally Preferable Procurement (EPP) guidelines covering all goods and services purchased for building maintenance and operations.

3. All city departments shall seek to expand recycling programs in all municipal buildings and new cleaning services contracts.

4. Within 60 days, the city of Boston chief information officer, in consultation with city departments, shall issue a Green Information Technology Roadmap to further reduce municipal consumption of resources.

5. The city will establish a green operations coordinating committee to further pursue and develop additional measures to reduce municipal consumption and increase efficiency.

Survey: Matting System Benefits

A recently released survey finds that most facility managers are well versed on the benefits of matting systems. The survey was conducted for Crown Mats and Matting during early February 2008. Nearly 120 people participated.

More than 95 percent of the respondents indicated they have mats installed at key building entries, and nearly 82 percent own, rather than rent, their mats. "Typically, mats purchased by a facility are of higher quality and more effective than rented mats," says Christopher R. Tricozzi, vice president of sales and marketing for Crown Mats. "This tells us that these facility managers know how valuable a high-performance matting system can be to the health of a facility."

Further, another survey question revealed that two-thirds know a high-performance matting system usually has a longer warrantee and is more effective at capturing and trapping soil.

Among other findings:
• 91 percent know high-performance matting systems play a key role in Green cleaning.
• 70 percent understand that a "scraper mat" is placed outdoors to aggressively remove soils from shoes.
• Similarly, 72 percent know a "wiper mat" is placed inside a facility to remove remaining soils, contaminants, and moisture from shoes.

Safety and Stopping Soil
One survey question asked how many people are hospitalized each day in the United States as a result of slips and falls. "Most of the respondents said it was 1,000 per day," says Tricozzi. "However, the correct answer is closer to 10,000, and many of these [accidents] could be prevented if an effective matting system was in place."

As to stopping soil, the respondents were evenly divided when asked how much money it costs to remove one pound of soil from a building. Half answered $250 to $500, while others thought it was $750. The correct answer, according to ISSA studies, is around $500.

The respondents were also asked what the term "Rule of 15s" means, as it applies to matting systems. A third said it means mats should be 15 feet long. However, the Rule of 15s actually means three mats-a scraper, a wiper/scraper, and a wiper-each five feet long, should be placed at all building entries. This was correctly answered by about 50 percent of the respondents.

"Overall, we were impressed with the answers to the survey," Tricozzi says. "It is probably because of Green cleaning that so many people now know how valuable high-performance matting systems are to occupant health."

AmSan Launches New Renown Products Website.

A comprehensive line of janitorial and sanitary supplies from the nation’s leading jan-san distributor.Representing an in-depth knowledge of products and their performance characteristics. Interline Brands offers the exclusive brand of Renown products to address the unique needs of its customers. The comprehensive line offers products and solutions that enhance customer productivity, efficiency and cost control. Available in a variety of jan-san categories. • Floor Care• Restroom Products• Carpet Care• Industrial Cleaners & • Degreasers • Disinfectancts• Odor Control Products • Special Purpose Cleaners • Insecticides• Can Liners

FacilityBlog from Today's Facility Manager: The First Facility Management Blog: EcoLogo and Green Seal Release Unified Hand Soap Criteria

FacilityBlog from Today's Facility Manager: The First Facility Management Blog: EcoLogo and Green Seal Release Unified Hand Soap Criteria

Environmental Trends in Task Specific Industrial Wipers!

When you ask a plant safety and maintenance manager to name
tools of the trade, industrial disposal wipers seldom come to
mind. Yet, today, these wipers are an integral part of the complex
maintenance operations for commercial cleaning. A mid-sized
plant, for example, is likely to use about 50,000 wipers per year,
while a large plant may go through upwards of 100,000 per
month. Add in the use of rental “shop” towels, which are also used
for plant cleaning and maintenance operations, and the annual
investment for this “tool” runs well over a billion dollars.
The proper laundering of rental towels and disposal practices
for industrial wipers have become important components of the
maintenance manager’s environmental toolbox. It’s important to
know how to select the correct wiper, and how to handle it to
avoid safety and environmental liabilities. This is particularly
important because we are entering a new era of closer environmental
oversight with these products. The United States
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will change requirements
for rental “shop” towels and industrial disposable wipers.

THE TIPPING POINT

This new rule will require all disposable wipers and rental “shop”
towels to adhere to federal guidelines for use and disposal. Until
now, only disposable wipers were under Federal guidelines –
rental “shop” towels were not. When choosing between disposable
wipers and rental towels, the tipping point for many managers
often hinged on the belief that with rental towels the laundry,
not the end-user, was responsible for any environmental
problems. This proved untrue.
This new rule makes it clear that the end-user – not the laundry
– is responsible for any environmental discharges. If rental
towels are used, the new rule requires pre-treatment of those towels
before laundering. EPA’s review uncovered one problem: over
87% of the commercial laundries in the US do not have pre-treatment
equipment. This may affect the cost of rental towels, as
most laundries will need to purchase pre-treatment equipment.
Companies using disposable wipers will probably not need to
change their procedures, since disposables already fall under EPA
guidelines, and most companies using disposables have procedures
in place (reference the “EPA Rule Executive Summary”
sidebar for further details).

This new rule makes it clear that
the waste generator – not the
laundry – is responsible for any
environmental discharges.

THINK SAFE CHOICES

Each year hundreds of employees in manufacturing are killed or
seriously injured by exposure to hazardous substances and environments.
These range from exposure to chemical substances
used for daily cleaning to more highly corrosive substances.
According to the most recently published data (2001) from the US
Bureau of Labor Statistics, 500 employees were killed or injured
due to contact with hazardous substances.
Although facility and maintenance managers work diligently to
create safe working environments, use aids such as MSDS sheets,
and pay careful attention to training and safety procedures, managers
still should not overlook wipers as a factor to maintaining
safety.
One of the first issues to consider is what type of wiper product
is the safest and most efficient for plant or industrial operations.
Traditionally, facilities managers have used either rental towels or
disposable task-specific wipers. These task-specific wipers are
made from woven (textiles) and nonwoven materials.

Reprinted with permission from Plant Safety and Maintenance

The Myths About Disposable Wipers

Shop Towel Laundries Claim:
Disposable wipers are considered "Hazardous wastes" under RCRA.

Fact: The vast majority of single-use wipers are nonhazardous wastes as they are contaminated with simple oils and greases. Many states have become more flexible.

Shop Towel Laundries Claim:
Rented wipers are "environmentally-friendly."

Fact: EPA's data indicates single-use disposable wipers have less negative environmental impact than rented, laundered wipers due to the multi-media environmental impact of the laundering process to air, water, and land.

Shop Towel Laundries Claim:
Environmental liability exposure is eliminated with rented, laundered shop towels.

Fact:
Under current environmental law (CERCLA) rented wipers share the same potential liability exposure as do single-use disposable wipers.

Shop Towel Laundries Claim:
Rented, laundered wipers reduce user costs.

Fact: Laundry rental contracts are notoriously filled with hidden costs for replacement, energy and environmental charges, and automatic price increases. Disposable wipers have completely predictable acquisition, use, and disposal costs.

Shop Towel Laundries Claim:
Rented, laundered wipers are exempt from Dept. Of Transportation (DOT) hazardous material regulations

Fact: Users of any product that may become a "hazardous material" are obliged to follow DOT regulations when shipping regulated materials off site--whether a rented towel or disposable.

Shop Towel Laundries Claim:
Rented, laundered wipers are safer for workers.

Fact: Rented wipers are commonly contaminated with metal chips and chemical residues from other users, while single-use disposables pose no cross contamination potential.

DISPOSABLE WIPERS ARE THE PREFERRED CHOICE OVER LAUNDERED SHOP TOWELS

• Safer for the Environment
• No Residual Sludge from Laundry Water
• Minimal Energy Consumption
• Often Made from Recycled Materials
• Greater Value for the Money
• Safer for Employees and Equipment