THE GREEN WAY TO CLEAN “It cleans, it’s green and it’s made here”, is a slogan ECOCHEM owner Vince Williams is proud to stand behind. ECOCHEM is a Canterbury owned and operated business which produces and supplies chemical based products such as detergents and sanitisers, for restaurants, cafes, caterers, breweries and rest-homes, as well as for fish, meat and game processors.
“Imported plastic for packaging creates a negative effect upon NZ’s balance of payments; and a negative effect upon the environment when chemical packaging is wasted.”
Vince Williams is an experienced chemist and chemical engineer with a BSc(Hons) from the University of Otago. He started ECOCHEM from its Clarkson Avenue base over three years ago after a career working for other chemical product manufacturers.
To overcome this wastage Vince has a policy of re-use for all containers, taking away old ones, cleaning and re-using. Those which can’t be used are recycled. “This eliminates a huge amount of waste and also helps us to keep the customers’ cost down, as we are supplying them with the product only, not the containers.
“I didn’t like the way the industry was going, with increasing foreign owners who had no commitment to respecting the New Zealand environment,” Vince says. “Many chemical suppliers are supplying legacy products which may cause significant health issues, and often poor cleaning performance.”
“We aim to take the hassle out of the chemical supply to businesses. We will supply, handle, and replenish the supply to the dishwasher and glasswasher then remove any empty containers to eliminate hazards. Customers only pay for the liquid - we retain ownership of the container.”
Vince successfully set about designing cleaning and sanitising products which eliminated all of the known longterm major chemical hazards. As well as eliminating the chemical hazards Williams wanted to ensure all his products would not be harmful to the environment.
In addition to the chemical products, ECOCHEM supplies a range of soap dispensers, spray bottles and plunger pumps at great prices. Electronic pumps are often supplied on a ‘free-onloan’ basis if the customer only uses ECOCHEM’S produtcs.
“Most of the chemicals used in the industry are biodegradable and have been for many years, but the biggest waste is the dumping of the containers which are made from a high-grade petroleum based plastic.
Chemicals of Concern Chlorine: ECOCHEM’S products are designed to eliminate the need for chlorine.
nonylphenol activates oestrogen receptors in cells, which in turn alter the activity of certain genes.
For example, in experiments it has been found to stimulate the growth of breast cancer cells; will feminise male fish and is suspected to feminise men. Because it can penetrate skin, this is a potentially tragic hazard and ECOCHEM strongly urges companies to eliminate it from the workplace.
Formalin: Also known as formaldehyde, this was regarded as safe 40 years ago but is now known to cause cancer. Many pink hand soaps and pot washing detergents are still preserved with formaldehyde. ECOCHEM’S products are free of formaldehyde.
NTA: Sodium Nitriloacetate (CAS 139-139) has been classified as 6.7B by ERMA thus has been obliged to carry the warning Suspected of Causing Cancer on the labels since July 2008. ECOCHEM’S products are free of suspected carcinogens.
Meths: Methylated Spirits may contain Bitrex, and does contain fusil oils and aldehydes, all of which are unpleasant to taste and smell. ECOCHEM offers METHS WP which is colourless and free of unpleasant odours as it is comprised of food grade alcohol denatured with methanol.
The Ecochem Promise • ECOCHEM offers products with premium cleaning performance at modest cost. • ECOCHEM’S products eliminate insidious long term negative health effects. • ECOCHEM is eco active. • ECOCHEM aims to reduce your costs and reduce clutter in your workplace. • ECOCHEM will replenish supplies ASAP, and pick up empty packaging on a regular basis. • All prices include delivery - there are no hidden costs. • Packaging is re-used or recycled to lower cost to customers and provide local employment. • Local ownership by a qualified chemist ensures quick and accurate technical response.
ECOCHEM 5 Clarkson Avenue Christchurch T 03 377 1892 E vince@ecochem.co.nz www.ecochem.co.nz
Chlorine creates persistent dioxin residues, corrodes dishwashers, makes dishwasher electrics unreliable, plus makes ceramic and metal items more “Overseas owned companies don’t seem liable to stain and harder to clean. to care what happens to the chemical Nonylphenol: Researchers in England containers once the chemical has been have found that in trace amounts used, and particularly for the smaller packs will just supply new product in a new container.”
Please consider changing to ECOCHEM to benefit your business, the environment, and the local economy!
Phone: 03 377 1892 • ECOCHEM.CO.NZ
CT#116 Pages 91-124.indd 107
Healthy Eco Friendly Chemicals and Environment Management Systems for Hygiene in NZFSA Audited Premises, Restaurants, Cafes, Laundries, Hotels, Camping Grounds and Rest Homes We are Christchurch owned and operated and have an ISO14001 Certified Environmental Management System
26/11/12 10:03 AM