From the Ottawa Daily Times 10/08/08

Green cleaning -- After years of promoting, healthier cleaning catching
on

Tammie Sloup, tammies@mywebtimes.com, 815-431-4048

It's been three years since Tami Thomas began promoting a green cleaning program through
her business, Quality Care Cleaning.
But the fear of additional cost and questions about a new effort has had her clients hesitant to sign
on to her program.
Until now.

Rezin Orthopedics will be the first client to partner with Thomas in a full-blown green building
program, which includes several Rezin clinics, one of which is in Ottawa.

From recycled toilet paper to Earth-friendly light bulbs, Thomas customizes her program to meet a
wide spectrum of the green effort in the workplace.
Such a program entails changes in cleaning methods and products, as well as a recycling
program.  "It's good for the environment and it's good for people," Thomas said.

Robert Alaimo, director of industrial programs with Rezin, said he and Thomas first met at an
Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce after hours event.

"Tami sold me on her integrity, and I'm not an easy sell," Alaimo said. "We already had
cleaning people ... but she separated herself from the pack."

Thomas was certified in 2006 in Green Cleaning Housekeeping by Rochester Midland, a
manufacturer of green cleaning products.

Thomas began implementing her green program with Rezin several months ago, and Alaimo
said employees have complimented the service.

A green program entails much more than using earth-friendly cleaning products. Thomas also will
work with clients on energy conservation, using recycled paper products and initiating recycling
programs. Her staff also plays a part by using Earth-friendly cleaning products, as well as
microfiber cloths and bag less vacuums.
All cleaning products are Green Seal certified, and concentrated so there are less containers
being used.

While there is a little extra elbow grease involved by Thomas' crew, the products get the job done.
And the smell of the green products is not as harsh as other cleaning products.
"The smell is weaker, but friendly to be around," Thomas said.

Thomas, who recently joined the Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce, credited the Chamber for
promoting Earth-friendly initiatives through its 2008 campaign of "Go Green Today for a Greater
Tomorrow."

"It starts with the chamber and it trickles across the board. I hope other companies will follow,"
Alaimo said.

Not only are environmental conditions improved with a green cleaning program, employee
productivity also is said to increase in such workplaces.
People tend to call in sick less, and allergies tend to not flare up as much in such
environments, Alaimo claimed.

Quality Care Cleaning is the cleaning service for Rezin clinics in Ottawa, Joliet and Morris.
Bolingbrook's future location also will be all green in cleaning with Quality Care Cleaning, and was
awarded the Green Globe Certification by the Green Building Initiative.

The chamber's green campaign was launched earlier this year, and one of the successful results
of the effort was partnering with numerous businesses in town to promote recycling inkjet and
laser cartridges and old cell phones. Collection points are located throughout town.

Melissa Ruvalcaba, assistant executive director of the Ottawa chamber, said the chamber's green
team continues to work on recycling education.

"We are taking baby steps ... but, the ultimate goal would be to have a La Salle County effort in
place, coordinating information and efforts and promotions for the whole county to really make a
difference
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