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Cintas Transitions to NPE-Free Detergents

CINCINNATI — Cintas Corp., in conjunction with Washing Systems LLC (WSI), has become the first major industrial launderer to make a company-wide transition from a nonylphenol ethoxylate- (NPE) based detergent to a new, more environmentally friendly detergent in its industrial laundry facilities, Cintas says.
With more than 175 facilities in North America, Cintas has begun the transition in several of its locations and plans to be completely NPE-free by the end of 2008.
According to Cintas, benefits of the NPE-free detergent include:
• Energy conservation: NPE-free detergents use plant oil derivatives, a renewable resource, which decreases global dependence on fossil fuels.
• Environmental protection: NPE-free detergents use biodegradable surfactants, less toxic byproducts and solvents that don’t pollute the air. Because they biodegrade faster, they relieve stress on the environment.
• Worker/consumer safety: The NPE-free detergent has a mild pH, low volatility and low combustibility, which helps ensure a safer workplace.
“Cintas is committed to serving as an environmental steward and being proactive in meeting the needs of our customers, communities in which we do business and our employee-partners,” says Scott Farmer, chief executive officer of Cintas. “We look forward to continuing to work within our industry to promote innovative solutions that benefit the environment.”
Eclipse, the WSI product being introduced at Cintas facilities, uses surfactants endorsed by CleanGredients, a United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) program that endorses products with positive environmental characteristics.
“WSI has been working on this technology for three years, and we are delighted to serve Cintas with our NPE-free product,” says Bobby Fisher, chief executive officer of Washing Systems LLC.
WSI recently signed a partnership agreement with EPA’s Design for the Environment (DfE) Program, an initiative that seeks to promote innovative chemical products, technologies and products for commercial formulators.
“This partnership with the EPA is an extension of our mission to develop and advance environmentally friendly industrial products and practices for customers like Cintas,” adds Fisher.
 

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