Mexico goes Green

Bloomington, IN—Wednesday, January 3, 2006—The Ashkin Group, Bloomington, IN, has been awarded a contract to help Mexico implement Green Cleaning and develop standards for the use of environmentally preferable cleaning products and tools.

The project, part of the North American Green Purchasing Initiative (NAGPI) created two years ago, involves the Mexican, the U.S., and Canadian Governments. The Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) created NAGPI to address regional, North American environmental concerns.

"Essentially, NAGPI's goal is to educate, enhance, and promote Green products and services and improve environmental protection for all of North America," says Stephen Ashkin, president of The Ashkin Group.

The initiative also helps prevent potential trade and environmental conflicts as well as promotes enforcement of environmental law. "It will help 'harmonize' environmental purchasing, which should result in significant economic benefits for the jansan industry throughout North America," notes Ashkin.

Launching Green Cleaning in Mexico
Ron Segura, senior project manager of The Ashkin Group and president of Segura & Associates, Belmont, CA, will head the project—which is in its beginning stages—for The Ashkin Group.

"Everyone we have worked with in Mexico seems to be receptive to what we are doing," says Segura, who along with Ashkin predict the project will smoothly progress. "We know things are not going to change overnight, but we are being greeted with open doors, which have helped us already."

Segura has already started working with Mexico's SEMARNAT—the country's equivalent to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)—to implement a Green Cleaning program in their facilities. Segura has also met with Javier Aviles Suarez, an ISSA Mexico board member to enlist their support and to help get the program rolling throughout the Mexican cleaning industry.

But, Ashkin adds that Green Cleaning is a journey and knows that challenges are ahead. He discussed this in detail, as well as the progress that has already been made "Greening" Mexico, at a recent series of environmental meetings and presentations to the NAGPI in Montreal, Canada.

"It has to be designed in such a way that the marketplace takes ownership of it and competitive forces drive and improve it," he says. "This is how it evolved in the U.S. and Canada."

Still, Ashkin and others see hope as well as familiar ground in the Mexican cleaning industry. "In many ways, they are where America was 10 years ago," says an optimistic Ashkin, referring to a U.S. marketplace that in a relatively short period of time now accepts and often demands the use of Green Cleaning products. "We are excited about the opportunities in Mexico and hope to help them lay a strong foundation that will benefit the people and industry in Mexico, as well as the environment."