Are your detergents BIODEGRADABLE?

 The word biodegradable has been confused or used without the knowledge of how biodegradable a finished product really is. Since the 1990’s, the biodegradable world market has grown and, along with this growth, there has been a need for a standardized biodegradability test. The questions to the industry have been: a) what is biodegradability? b) If biodegradable, how biodegradable is the material? Claims like “environmentally friendly”, “environmentally preferable”, and “environmentally responsible” are also used to describe a material that was produced by biodegradable materials or, in most cases, part biodegradable material without knowing if the whole formulation could be rated as biodegradable. In many cases, when the word “biodegradability” was used, it was not based on any established criteria. While it is true that eventually everything will biodegrade, there are tests that set the standard on what is “biodegradable”. Simply put, a tested product that is considered “readily” or “ultimate” biodegradable is the highest classification recognized by the USA EPA, US Military, ASTM, and the OECD.

Why is this important?

With the ever increasing concern about the environment and what car washes discharge, regulations have evolved to scrutinize even the smallest discharge whether it is directly into the waterways, streets or sewers. Waste treatment plants now check for the source of certain contaminants before they are treated, since they are accountable to the EPA too.

The Facts about Jobe Detergents:

All Jobe Detergents are “readily biodegradable” (the highest level of biodegradability – Pw1) based on the criteria described in the OECD 301B, CO₂ Evolution Test (Modified Sturm) recognized by the EPA, ASTM as well as the US Military. The colors we use meet the definition of “readily biodegradable”.

 Jobe labels will soon note this fact on its labels.

Does your current Detergent claim to be biodegradable?

Is it considered Readily or Ultimate Biodegradable?

 If it does, can your supplier tell you which recognized test was used to make that determination?

 Know the facts! Ask the questions!