How the Technology Works:

A small electrical charge is passed through tap water in a hand-held spray bottle, producing an ionized solution with negative and positive charges. These charges, carried by nanobubbles, cause dirt particles to become charged and repel from surfaces for removal. An electrical field produced while spraying kills viruses and bacteria by breaking the cell membranes and essentially tearing through each cell. Germs should be sprayed for six seconds from a distance of four inches. This results in the killing of all dirt and bacteria, particularly E. coli, staph, salmonella, pseudomo

The process:

1. Fill spray bottle reservoir with regular tap water.
2. Water is given a small electrical charge as it passes through the chamber called the water cell. In this cell, positive and negative charges are applied, and water     molecules are divided, and create little gas bubbles that take on the electrical charge and create ionized water.
3. Before the water is released through the nozzle, a slight electric field is applied, which travels with the now ionized tap water to the surface. We cannot feel the electric but the bacteria cannot withstand its strength. This creates the disinfecting technology.
4. The ionized water then breaks apart the dirt and lifts it from surfaces like a field, component of this magnet. The low-level electric field kills germs and bacteria. After 30-45 seconds, the tap water returns to its normal state and evaporates within a short amount of time.

Source: Activeion Website

Activeion's website provides the following information about the authenticity of their claims: "The testing must comply with a specific EPA protocol, called the Good Lab Practice (GLP) protocol. According to the lab results of Activeionʼs testing, when used as directed the Activeion ionator EXP and ionator HOM kill more than 99.9% of E. coli, staph, salmonella, E. coli O157:H7, pseudomonas, listeria, MRSA, VRE, and the H1N1 virus."

Example of Usage:

GSN's Bardessono Hotel, Restaurant, and Spa in Yountville, CA uses the Activeion EXP. Sandra Grignon, Spa Operations Manager, reported that the electrolyzed water technology not only breaks up dirt, but also disinfects and cuts odors in a way similar to Febreeze products. She especially likes the fact that it eliminates 99% of bacteria, and said it works very well on glass and other hard surfaces that need disinfecting such as hot towel cabbies where cleaning chemicals cannot be used.

When asked about the effectiveness in treating essential oils, make-up, perfumes and other beauty products, an Activeion representative said he didn't see any reason why it shouldn't work. However, Grignon has found situations involving such oils and beauty products often still require conventional detergent.

Cost:

As consumers, it is important to weigh the financial costs against the long-term benefits of any green purchase. In general, while some products may cost than their competitors, they tend to pay for themselves through yearly savings and improved environmental impact.

Activeion is a fine example of such savings. The product designed for households, Ionator HOM, retails at $179.99. Activeion reports that the average US household "spends more than $78 per year on all sorts of cleaning products—glass cleaners, carpet cleaner, stainless steel cleaner, granite cleaner, leather cleaner, wood cleaner, and so on." Activeion technology uses simple tap water as its only ingredient, and therefore makes this a one-time purchase that almost pays for itself in two years. This technology serves as an all-purpose cleaner, tackling surfaces like glass, chrome, mirrors, plastic, ceramic, and stainless steel, with equal or more effectiveness than conventional products.

Provided are sanitization test results performed by an independent lab*:

*Performance testing carried out as part of Ieha's High Performance Cleaning Product (HPCP) Program, by the Toxics Use Reduction Institute's Surface Solutions Laboratory.

• Grand Haven Public School District adopted Activeion technology, eliminated eight chemical cleaners, and now saves $37,000 in cleaning costs per year.

• Georgia Institute of Technology adopted Activeion technology, eliminated four traditional cleaners, and reduced cleaning chemical expenditures by 63%.

• If half of all educational facilities in the U.S. used Activeion for 5 years, they would save the energy equivalent of 2,873,700 gallons of gas, 15,450 tons of coal, and 61,182 barrels of oil.  Source: Activeion Website; Results from a 2009 Center for Clean Products/Ecoform Study at the University of Tennessee

• An electrolyzed water device used on 50,000 square feet, 7 days a week, will save approximately $1,500 on detergent, and eliminate the need to purchase, store, handle and dispense the same. Source: The Housekeeping Channel Website

Testimonials:

Salon Mystique is a member of Aveda Salon/Spa, which is an environmentally conscious network of over 7,000 spas and salons in 24 countries. Salon Mystique said that they were first attracted to Activeion for its eco-friendliness, but quickly became hooked on its performance—noting its usage in hospitals, four-star restaurants, and food processing facilities.

A Salon Mystique representative concurred:

"It works like nothing I have ever tried before. It is really hard to get dried hairspray off a mirror—but with Activeion, no problem and no streaks! After using Activeion for a couple months now, there's no going back to chemical cleaners. We're proud to be on the cutting edge with this new technology, and we'd recommend Activeion to any salon or spa looking for environmentally friendly products. It's definitely worth the investment."

Beautyhouse Spa provides their clients with advanced full salon services such as cosmetic treatment, permanent hair removal and make-up application, micro dermabrasion, and hair and eyelash extensions. A spa representative suggested that they are "as difficult and demanding about their services and premises as their clients are about themselves," and that the 70% of their facility surfaces covered in glass and mirror must consistently be "squeaky clean."  After trying Activeion, Beautyhouse reported that the product performed to their highest expectations. The cleaning lady of their facility, who was allergic to chemical cleaning products, particularly appreciated the product technology. The spa conducted tests such as getting strawberry stains out of white pants, and was very pleased with the remarkable results. They also tested it on silicon filler in a nearby construction site, where Activeion removed all stains and remnants.

A Beautyhouse representative concludes:

"The ionator EXP has simplified our purchasing process. We can do all sorts of cleaning now with just one product. That is what I call an environmentally safe solution."

Negatives:

Activeion products serve as general-purpose cleaners. There may be certain types of spills that need extra strength cleaners, like synthetic oil spills or heavy calcium deposits.

Conclusion:

It is difficult to find the flaw in a product that uses simple tap water and electrolysis and is equally or more effective than chemical-based cleaners. Over time it saves money, reduces the production of plastic, and creates a healthier environment for our patrons, colleagues, and families alike.

An Operator's Path to Understanding Green, Organic and Sustainable Products and Practices

• Choose from nine inspired and highly informative web-education sessions
• Visit with vendors in the Green Leaf Pavilion live in their booths and learn about new products
• Support the GSN by participating in this event
• Free Registration to GSN members, valued at $65
• Register and be entered to win door prizes and product samples
• Bid on fantastic prizes at the Virtual Silent Auction, with proceeds going to Green Spa Network

 Green Spa Network Fall Congress 2010

PRACTICAL SUSTAINABILTY SOLUTIONS ADVANCED BY GSN’S MOUNTAIN RETREAT
Green Spa Network Works to Broaden Awareness of Meaningful Methods for Greening Spas in a Sobering Economy 

Avon, Colorado (October 21, 2010)--A passionate group of spa professionals representing a broad range of the wellness and sustainability industries gathered during the first week in October for the 2010 Green Spa Network Fall Congress at the LEED-certified, Westin Riverfront Resort & Spa at Beaver Creek Mountain. The event explored new means to support green initiatives, nurture stronger community ties, and recalibrate spa models, i.e., the value proposition of spas and why people visit them, to adapt to a changing economy.

Reflecting these themes, the Green Spa Network established a new vision for the role spas can play with their clientele and their communities, succinctly explained in an updated mission statement: “The Green Spa Network cultivates the vital connection between personal well-being, economic sustainability, and the health of our planet.”

The gathering’s unique format provided a special opportunity to delve into core issues that affect the spa industry and to explore new possibilities for future initiatives. A combination of highly informative presentations combined with interactive workshops, creative brainstorming sessions and hiking, yoga and spa treatments yielded six work plans for the upcoming year crafted to chart the course of the spa sustainability movement. Strategic alliances with Organic Spa Magazine and Green America were also announced.

The spa resort community was well represented with attendees from top destination brands including: Auberge Resorts; Rosewood Hotels; Pebble Beach Resorts; RockResorts/Vail Resorts; East West Resorts; Rancho La Puerta; and Destination Hotels and Resorts.

The conference featured presentations from over a dozen pioneers and leaders in the sustainability and wellness movements including: mineral cosmetic company founder, Jane Iredale; National sustainability expert, Lewis Perkins; Whole Foods Market Nutritionist and Quality Standards Expert, Jody Villecco; noted editor and author from the beauty and cosmetic space, Rona Berg; founder of Intent.com, Mallika Chopra; award-winning documentary filmmaker, Greg Reitman; LOHAS Director and sustainability industry spokesperson, Ted Ning; and Executive Director of the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, Lisa Archer.

Speakers’ topics included Food and Cosmetic Safety and Health; Sustainability Practices in Hospitality; and Transforming Spas into Vitality Centers.

"It is the critical moment to have a deeper conversation about how our spa businesses can become more relevant to the changes in the economy, health care and the environment,” explains Green Spa Network President, Michael Stusser. “Our third annual congress hit the mark by inviting the highly topical presenters and attracting major players in an outstanding venue. A great alchemy ensued."

Underscoring the conclusion that being green can also increase economic sustainability and satisfy today’s consumers, event host, LEED-Certified Westin Riverfront Resort and Spa, was just named #12 in Conde Nast Traveler’s Top 100 List of hotels and resorts around the world.

Contact:  Kim Marshall This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it   310-452-1234

by Lisa Sykes, Eco-Friendly Specialist for Universal Companies and GSN Member

Natural and organic skin care claims are exceedingly abundant in the spa industry, and most professionals are confused by the barrage of floral advertisements that confront them at tradeshows, in magazines, and on the web. Apprehensive clients often turn to us for guidance, but where do we get our guidance? We certainly can’t rely on the FDA, the Cosmetic Ingredient Review, or the manufacturer.  But, don’t worry--there is hope! The following simple steps will provide you with enough courage and tenacity to go beyond those arbor-rich, earth-toned labels and see what’s really inside those bottles and tubes. 

I.  Determine what kind of product you would like to incorporate into your treatments and retail area: Natural, organic, or both? Contrary to popular thought, natural and organic are not the same thing. The term “natural” means that a product is derived from plants (or animals) but the ingredients aren’t tainted by chemicals used in certain manufacturing processes. The term “organic” applies to plants grown and managed using organic agricultural methods as characterized by organic third party certification bodies; manufacturing processes also vary per organic certification body.