PFAS, known as “forever chemicals” because they do not break down easily in the environment and can accumulate in the human body, are being phased out in consumer products thanks to legislation such as California Senate Bill 682. That bill cleared the state Legislature on September 13 and is now on its way to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk for his signature.
If Newsom signs the bill, California will join other states, including Colorado, Connecticut, Maine, Rhode Island, Vermont and Minnesota, that have banned the use of PFAS in cookware, cleaners, food packaging and other products.
Often used in nonstick coatings and water-resistant treatments, PFAS can leach into food and water or be absorbed through skin contact. Decades of scientific research link them to a host of serious health concerns, including cancer and harm to the immune system and fetal development, as well as reduced vaccine effectiveness.
In a blog on its website, Guest Supply said PFAS can be found in carpeting, upholstery, and even some personal care products.
Examine Labeling
As you procure items in those product categories mentioned above, be sure to watch out for messaging regarding the elimination of PFAS. To confirm a product is PFAS-free, look for specific “PFAS-free” or “fluorine-free” labels, check for certifications like Green Seal, EPA’s Safer Choice, or Cradle to Cradle, or consult the manufacturer’s website for their policies.
Just this past week, the Natural Resources Defense Council posted an article highlighting the dangers of PFAS. Be sure to read that article.
Do a search on “PFAS” on Green Lodging News and you will find announcements by many suppliers and others regarding the elimination of PFAS. Here are links to the 10 most recent articles mentioning PFAS:
Carnegie Introduces Four New Upholstery Options
NSF Introduces PFAS-Free Certification
Emerald Ecovations Adds New Line of PLA Compostable Foodservice Products
Designtex’s First Coated Textile with Biobased Polyurethane Introduced
Serge Ferrari Group Debuts Sustainable Innovation in Outdoor Upholstery
Ultrafabrics Releases 2025 Sustainability Report
Concerns in Sustainable Hospitality That Demand Immediate Attention
Introducing Hyphyn: The First Biodegradable Performance Vinyl
HBF Textiles Presents ‘Best in Show’
New EPA Data Shows 158 Million People Exposed to ‘Forever Chemicals’ in U.S. Drinking Water
As you consider PFAS in your purchasing, be aware of the phase-in time for legislation. Senate Bill 682, for example, would ban the sale and distribution of many consumer goods containing intentionally added PFAS, beginning in 2028. Cookware including PFAS, however, would not be banned until 2030.
Suppliers, be sure to keep the news flowing about your efforts to phase out PFAS. I will gladly post your news in our Vendor News section.
Green Lodging News Adds RoomOne Solutions to Directory
Green Lodging News has added RoomOne Solutions to the Recycling/PTACs section of its Green Product & Service Directory. RoomOne Solutions makes PTAC disposal easy. It safely recycles PTAC units whenever they are replaced—whether it be a renovation, simple unit replacement, upgrade, demolition, unit failure or any other scenario—anytime you have a used PTAC, it will recycle it. This eliminates liability, storage issues, and EPA risks. The RoomOne Solutions team handles everything, whether you have 6 or 600 units, and provides quarterly reports to support your brand’s ESG goals. Trusted by hotels nationwide, it does the heavy lifting so your team doesn’t have to. Call (865) 326-6171 or e-mail owen.finch@roomonesolutions.com.
Looking for Guest Columnists
Every two weeks Green Lodging News posts a new guest column on its website. (Click here for examples.) The guest column also appears in the weekly e-newsletter. Green Lodging News is currently in need of industry experts to contribute occasional guest columns. Experts may include consultants, architects, designers, suppliers, and those who own or operate green lodging establishments. Columns may be articles that take a stance on a particular subject or be strictly educational in nature. Columnists benefit by having their photo included along with a one paragraph description of their company. Interested in writing a column? Contact Glenn Hasek, publisher and editor, at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.
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Green Lodging News, lodging’s leading environmental news source, publishes the Wednesday Green Supplier Spotlight and Thursday Green Suppliers Spotlight. Green Supplier Spotlight features just one vendor and Green Suppliers Spotlight features multiple vendors. Click here for a Green Supplier Spotlight sample and rate sheet. Click here for a Green Suppliers Spotlight sample and rate sheet. Both e-blasts that reach 19,480 subscribers have been built to generate quick leads. A report is sent a week after each e-blast that includes the number of e-mails sent, number of opens, and number of click-throughs. Contact Glenn Hasek at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at greenlodgingnews@gmail.com for more information.
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