Biodegradability of Barefoot's Safe Cleaning Products

We have questions asked about the Biodegradable of Barefoot's CleaningProducts all the time and what does that little number inside the triangle mean on cleaning products that you buy.

The following information from the Manufacturer Science Department might help you to better understand this.
FYI . . . the number inside the triangle has nothing to do with the biodegradable of the product inside. It merely identifies the level of biodegradability of the container.

Biodegradation is the destruction of organic chemical compounds by thebiological action of living organisms. Untimately, the organic matter is converted to carbon dioxide, water, inorganic salts and products associatedwith the normal metabolic processes of the bacteria. Thus, in this processcomplex matter is generally reconverted back to its primary building blocksin nature. And the cycle continues.

Fo the manufacturer, the goal is to formulate cleaning products, which not only contain biodegradable cleaning agents, but with auxiliary builders (boosters)that, ultimately, undergo breakdown as well. In addition to ultimate break-down, the speed of the biodegradation process is also a critical factor.According to test protocol developed by the Organization for EconomicCooperation and Development (DECD) group of experts, any product in which at least 60% of its organic chemical load biodegrades within 28days under standard test conditions, is not only Biodegradable, but conforms to the requirement for Readily Biodegradable status.

For the Barefoot line of cleaning products, test results validate the claimof Readily Biodegradable for every product except the Germacide and the Fabric softner. For the Fabric Softner, biodegradation does occur, too slowly,however, to be classified as Readly Biodegradable.

Unfortunately, the current technology for our disposal for this product lacks softening agents, which meet the requirements for Readly Biodegradable status.However, we remain vigilant to new technologies, which may satisfy requirements for both softening effectiveness and quick biodegradation.In the case of the Germacide, the germicidal ingredients are, by necessity, not readily biodegradable. If they were, they would not effectively kill ordisinfect the target organisms. This is generally true for all germicidal products.

In summary, Barefoot's cleaners are formulated with the safest, most effective,non-toxic and biodegradable ingredients available. Our continuing effortis to include those ingredients which degrade naturally into the basic building blocks of carbon dioxide and water, thus minimizing contam-ination of wastewater systems, rivers and lakes.