optionsforlife commercial janitorial and household cleaning products represent the very latest in 21st Century bio-based green cleaning chemistry. Generally, that means replacing toxic, non-renewable petroleum-based surfactants (the primary cleaning wetting and detergency agents) with bio or plant-based surfactants.

However, we take it much farther than that. For example, at optionsforlife, we:

* replace chlorine bleach with hydrogen peroxide;
* replace traditional acids (used in many tub and tile cleaners) with organic salt solutions;
* and we replace non-biodegradable alcohol (commonly used in glass and window cleaners) with biodegradable solvents that are not nearly as irritating to the skin.

PLUS, compared to conventional cleaners, optionsforlife non-toxic cleaners receive better marks for surface gloss retention and surface safety (meaning they don't dull and scratch surfaces over time).

optionsforlife naturally-derived cleaners are stronger than most green or non-toxic cleaners on retail shelves and they are definitely less expensive. Of course, optionsforlife cleaning products are much safer to use around children, pets and plants -- and better for the environment -- than conventional cleaners.

But don't just take our word for it. optionsforlife commercial products are Green Seal Certified. They meet Green Seal's standard for industrial and institutional cleaners based on their efficacy and their reduced human and aquatic toxicity and reduced smog production potential.

We are not connected with a charity in the UK with the same name, nor are we affiliated with an organization with the URL: www.optionsforlife.info

optionsforlife was co-founded in 2004 by Walter Coddington (photo: right), marketing consultant to Fortune 500 companies, founder of Ad Age top-ranked sales promotion agency CCM, author of the McGraw-Hill business textbook "Environmental Marketing" and environment and development consultant to the United Nations Environment Program and the United Nations Population Fund respectively.

Moved by the impact of poverty on women in poor communities worldwide, Coddington and his partners set out to increase the number of income and equity producing small business ownership opportunities available to women with little education, marketable skills and capital.

As Kirk Magleby, author of Microfranchises as a Solution to Global Poverty, pointed out:

"The developing world suffers an acute paucity of strong small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), dooming far too many countries to low economic growth rates, high unemployment, social unrest, and all the other pathologies that breed in poverty."

Small businesses, as we define them, are several notches above micro-enterprises that have a tendency to benefit one or two people and generate little if any local economic multiplier effect.

optionsforlife community-based product blending and bottling mini-plants were designed to incubate and spin off dozens of locally owned and operated small businesses, including, but not limited to, distributors, retail stores and non-toxic residential and commercial cleaning service companies. These community-based small businesses provide income and equity to local people well as create a significant local economic multiplier effect.

An optionsforlife mini-plant -- the local small business incubator -- produces non-toxic cleaning products that are Green Seal Certified - the toughest and most respected independent certification of both product performance and human and environmental stewardship worldwide.

Incubating small businesses is only half the battle. Most small businesses fail within five years of their creation. Poor planning, bad management and under-capitalization are key reasons. One reason why franchises are so popular and successful is that franchisees have the on-going management, marketing and financial support of the franchisor. The optionsforlife model is similar to the franchise model in that regard.

As important as the creation of small business is what these small businesses produce, promote and sell. Non-toxic cleaning products are just the beginning of environmental stewardship. To avoid adding to the proliferation of plastic bottles most cleaning products are packaged in, optionsforlife mini-plants, distributors, storeowners and cleaning service companies promote the use of cleaners in concentrated form. Concentrates enable the reuse of plastic and other containers, thereby reducing the total amount of plastic waste in the environment. Concentrates are less expensive than the continual repurchase of ready-to-use products. Concentrates are smaller and lighter to transport by motor-bike, bike or foot than the equivalent amount of ready-to-use product. For example: one gallon of optionsforlife multi-surface cleaner concentrate can make 256 gallons of neutral pH, non-toxic and non-abrasive ready-to-use floor cleaner - enough to supply an entire small community.

In developing countries, optionsforlife local representatives work with micro-lenders to identify candidates for optionsforlife small business ownership among those who have received micro-loans, have good credit history and are willing and able to trade up to small business ownership and operation. Local micro-lenders may also participate in the financing of the small business startups. Click on the "mission" button above to learn more about why optionsforlife was created.

Visit www.optionsforlife.org to learn more about how the company is going about fulfilling its mission.