Frequently Asked Questions

Norovirus symptoms usually appear 12 to 48 hours after first exposure to the virus, and last approximately one to three days. The most common symptoms of norovirus are:

• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Stomach pain

Other symptoms include:

• Headache
• Fever
• Body aches

People with norovirus are most contagious when they are sick, and for a few days after they feel better. So, how is it spread? Norovirus spreads quickly and rapidly, people can become infected with it by:

• Eating food or drinking liquids that are contaminated with norovirus, most likely prepared by an individual who is infected with the virus
• Touching surfaces or objects with norovirus on them and then putting your hand or fingers in your mouth
• Having direct contact with a person who is infected with norovirus, for example, when sharing foods, utensils with them¹

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Learn more about PURELL® Surface Sprays 

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Norovirus. Retrieved January 24, 2017, from https://www.cdc.gov/features/norovirus/

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• Eating food that is contaminated
• Drinking water that is contaminated
• Touching your hand to your mouth after being in contact with a contaminated surface
• Being in close contact with someone who has norovirus

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Even though norovirus is highly contagious, there are ways you can reduce the risk of its spread. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, follow these steps to reduce the spread of the virus.

1. Practice good hand hygiene. Make sure to wash your hands with soap and water at key moments, especially after using the restroom since the virus can spread through stool. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol can be used in addition to handwashing.
2. Disinfect frequently touched surfaces. Immediately disinfect and clean contaminated surfaces with a disinfectant and cleaner formulated to kill norovirus. For example, PURELL® Surface Sprays are effective against norovirus 
3. Wash laundry thoroughly
4. Wash fruits and vegetables when preparing food; follow proper food preparation guidelines
5. Do not prepare meals when you are sick

Whether you think you might have a cold, flu or norovirus, it’s always important to consult a doctor and take precautionary measures to help you and everyone stay healthy.

View hygiene tools and downloads
Learn more about PURELL® Surface Sprays 

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Norovirus. Retrieved January 24, 2017, from https://www.cdc.gov/features/norovirus/

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The FDA does not allow hand sanitizer brands to make viral claims, but from a scientific perspective, influenza is an enveloped virus. Enveloped viruses in general are easily killed or inactivated by alcohol. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are recommending the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizer as a preventive measure for flu prevention.

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Ebola viruses are high risk pathogens that must be contained and are not readily available for laboratory testing. As of today, we are not aware of any hand sanitizers that have been tested against Ebola viruses, including PURELL® Advanced Hand Sanitizer. However, it is important to note that the Ebola virus is an enveloped virus. Enveloped viruses in general are easily killed or inactivated by alcohol. World Health Organization (WHO) and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are recommending the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizer as a preventive measure during this outbreak.

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PURELL® Advanced Hand Sanitizer formulations have not been tested against this virus. EV-D68 is a non-enveloped virus, which is generally hard to kill or inactivate with alcohol. At this time, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is recommending handwashing as a preventative measure against EV-D68.

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GOJO technical personnel know the science of hand hygiene, monitor the latest research affecting the category and work with global thought leaders, so they may respond to your questions. To contact GOJO technical personnel, call 800-321-9647 and mention that you have a question about efficacy.

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Yes. Numerous studies support the safety of long-term, repeated use of PURELL^® Hand Sanitizers. It is critical to practice good hand hygiene at key moments, such as before eating, after using the restroom and after touching objects that are frequently touched by others.¹

1. Scientific Studies, GOJO Hand Hygiene Hub http://www.gojo.com/Corporate-Hand-Hygiene-Hub/Scientific-Studies

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No. When it comes to hand sanitizing products, formulation matters. The active ingredient is important but the total formulation affects the product’s effectiveness. The product also has to deliver good skin care performance and be likeable to use.

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No. BPA is not an ingredient in PURELL^® Hand Sanitizer. Alcohol is the active ingredient in PURELL® Hand Sanitizer.

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No. PURELL^® Hand Sanitizer does not contain triclosan. The active ingredient in PURELL^® Hand Sanitizer is ethyl alcohol.

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Germs live all around us. Our bodies are covered with germs that help us stay healthy. These are considered "resident or potentially harmless" bacteria and, they reside on and in the body.  In addition to the resident bacteria, we are also exposed to ones that we pick up from contact with other people or objects. These are called transient bacteria. It is these germs that are often responsible for making you sick. PURELL® Hand Sanitizer reduces some of your resident bacteria while eliminating the transient bacteria on the top layer of your hands. Your body quickly regenerates your resident bacteria. 

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Yes. PURELL^® Hand Sanitizer products are tested against a broad spectrum of micro-organisms and have resulted in more than 99.99% reduction of those organisms. It is prohibited by the Food and Drug Administration for manufacturers to make viral reduction claims.

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No, this is a misconception. Using PURELL® Hand Sanitizer does not contribute to the spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria, as the overuse of antibiotics does. Ethyl alcohol, the active ingredient in PURELL® Hand Sanitizer rapidly destroys the cell membranes and dissolves cell proteins. It evaporates quickly leaving nothing behind to let germs become resistant. According to the CDC Clean Hands Count Campaign, using alcohol-based hand sanitizers does NOT cause antibiotic resistance. Healthy habits like good hand hygiene help reduce the spread of illness-causing germs. Staying healthy reduces the need to use prescription antibiotics; so ultimately, alcohol-based hand sanitizers play an important role in reducing antibiotic resistance.  

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No. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers kill germs in a different way than antibiotics, and they are not left behind to let the germs either become resistant or become what some people call “supergerms.” According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there is no chance for the germs to adapt or develop resistance to an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, even with frequent use.¹

8. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings. Retrieved June 2, 2016, from http://www.cdc.gov/handhygiene/science/index.html

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As with all over-the-counter products, it is important to use PURELL® Hand Sanitizer products properly and according to the instructions on the label: wet hands thoroughly with product, and briskly rub hands together until dry. Adults should always supervise children in the use of the product.  It is important to use PURELL^® Hand Sanitizer at key moments throughout the day such as before eating, after caring for someone that is ill, after using the restroom and after touching objects touched by many different hands, for example, the grocery cart handle, the subway pole and elevator buttons.

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PURELL® Advanced Hand Sanitizer can be used whenever hands are not visibly soiled. It can be used repeatedly, and there is no need to wash your hands between uses unless they become visibly soiled. Additionally, there is no harmful residue left on hands after use.

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If used as directed, which is to apply enough PURELL^® Hand Sanitizer to thoroughly wet hands, a consumer can get 29-30 uses out of a 2 fl. oz. bottle.

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1. Study: Effect of hand sanitizer use on elementary school absenteeism.
   Results: The overall reduction in absenteeism due to infection in the schools included in this study was 19.8% for schools that used an alcohol gel hand sanitizer compared with the control schools.¹
2. Study: The effect of a comprehensive handwashing program on absenteeism in elementary schools.
   Results: Two hundred ninety students from five independent schools were enrolled in the study. Each test classroom had a control classroom, and only the test classroom received the intervention (education program and hand sanitizer). Absenteeism data was collected for 3 months. The number of absences was 50.6% lower in the test group.²
3. Study: The effect of hand hygiene on illness rate among students in university residence halls.
   Results: The overall increase in hand-hygiene behavior and reduction in symptoms, illness rates, and absenteeism between the product group and control group was statistically significant. Reductions in upper respiratory-illness symptoms ranged from 14.8% to 39.9%. Total improvement in illness rate was 20%. The product group had 43% less missed school/work days.³
4. Study: Alcohol-based Instant hand sanitizer use in military settings - a prospective cohort study of army basic trainees.
   When compared to the control group, intervention groups experienced 40% less respiratory illness (p < 0.001), 48% less gastrointestinal illness (p < 0.02), 44% less lost training time (p < 0.001), and 31% fewer health care encounters (p < 0.001).⁴
5. Study: Impact of a Comprehensive Workplace Hand Hygiene Program on Employer Healthcare Insurance Claims and Costs, Absenteeism and Employee Perceptions and Practices
   Results: Hygiene-preventable health care claims were significantly reduced in the intervention group by over 20% (P<0.05). Absenteeism was positively impacted overall for the intervention group. Employee survey data showed significant improvements in hand hygiene behavior and perception of company concern for employee well-being.⁵

1. Hammond, B, Ali, Y., Fendler, E., Dolan, M. Donvoan, S. Effect of hand sanitizer on elementary school absenteeism. http://www.ajicjournal.org/article/S0196-6553(00)84010-9/abstract
2. Guinan, M., McGukin, M., Ali, Y., The effect of a comprehensive handwashing program on absenteeism in elementary schools. http://www.ajicjournal.org/article/S0196-6553(02)68131-3/abstract
3. White, C., Koble, R., Carlson, R., Lipson, N., Dolan, M., Ali, Y., Cline, M., The effect of hand hygiene on illness among students in university residence halls. http://www.ajicjournal.org/article/S0196-6553%2803%2900041-5/abstract
4. Mott, Maj. Peter, Sisk, Maj. Brian, Arbogast, J., Ferrazzano-Yaussy, C., Bondi, C., Sheehan, LTC J. Alcohol-based instant hand sanitizer use in military settings: a prospective cohort study of Army basic trainees. http://publications.amsus.org/doi/10.7205/MILMED.172.11.1170
5. Arbogast, J., Moore-Schitz, L., Jarvis, W., Harpster-Hagan, A., Hughes, J., Parker, A., Impact of a Comprehensive Workplace Hand Hygiene Program on Employer Health Care Insurance Claims and Costs, Absenteeism, and Employee Perceptions and Practices. http://journals.lww.com/joem/Fulltext/2016/06000/Impact_of_a_Comprehensive_Workplace_Hand_Hygiene.25.aspx

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Yes, PURELL®Hand Sanitizer is safe and effective for everyone. It is important for all of us to practice healthy behaviors like hand hygiene, which includes using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, such as PURELL^® Hand Sanitizer.  Children under 6 years of age should be supervised when using any PURELL™ product.

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No. There is a misperception that the frequent use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers will dry out your hands on your skin. The truth is that formulation matters. PURELL® Hand Sanitizer has been developed to be used repeatedly without damaging the skin. In fact, studies show PURELL®Hand Sanitizer is gentler on hands than soap and water because it does not strip natural lipids away from hands.¹   

1. Boyce JM, Kellher, S., Vallande N. Skin irritation and dryness associated with two hand hygiene regimens: soap and water handwashing versus hand antisepsis with an alcoholic hand gel. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 21:442-448,2000.

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PURELL® Hand Sanitizer contains bitter, unpleasant-tasting ingredients that make it undesirable to drink. We add the unpleasant taste to all PURELL™ products to discourage ingestion. Labels on PURELL Hand Sanitizer provide instructions to follow in the event of ingestion. Label instructions state: "If swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away." Consistent with best practices for all products used around children, always supervise PURELL® Hand Sanitizer use by children under six years of age or those whose judgment may be impaired. The benefits of alcohol-based hand sanitizers for safeguarding public health are well-documented in many settings. 

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have recommended the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers when soap and water are not available and hands are not visibly dirty. For more information on the CDC Hand Hygiene recommendations, visit www.cdc.gov/handwashing.

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PURELL® Advanced Hand Sanitizer is a refreshing instant hand sanitizer that kills 99.99% of most common germs that may cause disease and is used without soap, water or towels.

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The active ingredient in PURELL® Advanced Hand Sanitizer is ethyl alcohol - sometimes referred to as "mother nature's disinfectant." Ethyl alcohol is classified by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a Category I active ingredient, which means it's generally recognized as safe and effective when used as directed.

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Labels on all PURELL™ products provide instructions to follow in the event of ingestion. Label instructions state: "If swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away." 

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Practicing good hand hygiene is especially important:

• After using the bathroom
• Before eating or drinking anything
• Before and after handling raw foods, fish, poultry, or eggs
• After using a public phone
• After riding public transportation
• In schools and day care centers
• After changing diapers
• When one is sick
• After shaking hands
• After sneezing or coughing
• After touching an ATM, elevator buttons or escalator handrails

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According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), alcohol-based hand sanitizers can be used when hands are not visibly soiled. If hands are visibly soiled, use soap and water.

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For home use, visit www.PURELL.com. For businesses, find out how to buy here. Or, contact the GOJO Customer Interaction Center at 1-800-321-9647.

How to Buy

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Ethyl alcohol is one of the safest and most effective antiseptic ingredients.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that the general public use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available.

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Yes. The expansion of PURELL^™ products into the surface disinfecting and sanitizing category reflects the GOJO commitment to deliver the best well-being solutions for people, surfaces and the environment.  PURELL^™ Surface Sprays have the lowest EPA toxicity rating, Category IV and the Design for the Environment Certification. Out of the 3,000 EPA registered surface disinfectants and sanitizers, less than 100 have the EPA’s Category IV lowest toxicity rating. Of those, less than 10 have the EPA’s Design for the Environment (DfE) Certification.

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Yes. Out of the 3,000 EPA registered surface disinfectants and sanitizers, less than 100 have the EPA’s Category IV lowest toxicity rating, and of those, less than 10 have the EPA’s Design for the Environment (DfE) Certification.  With no harsh chemicals, the disinfectant is formulated with ethyl alcohol, the same active ingredient in PURELL® Hand Sanitizer. The new surface disinfectant delivers the fastest overall disinfection times of a Design for the Environment product.

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Yes, PURELL^™ Surface Sprays have proven compatibility with most common hard and soft surfaces.  Each product label provides a short list of surfaces and materials the product was formulated for use on, including:

View product labels for a more complete list of surfaces

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The PURELL™ Surface Sprays are regulated by the EPA.

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You shouldn’t use PURELL^™ Surface Spray on surfaces that have an oxidizing agent, like brass, copper and aluminum. Also avoid older, alcohol soluble finished wood. If you’re unsure, always test a small inconspicuous area prior to broad use.

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Yes. GOJO introduced PURELL™ Surface Disinfecting and Sanitizing Products in September 2016. The three products include PURELL™ Foodservice Surface Sanitizer, PURELL™ Healthcare Surface Disinfectant and PURELL™ Professional Surface Disinfectant.

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No. Using PURELL™ Surface Sprays do not contribute to the spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria, as the overuse of antibiotics does. Ethyl alcohol, the active ingredient in PURELL™ Surface Spray rapidly destroys the cell membranes and dissolves cell proteins. It evaporates quickly leaving nothing behind to let germs become resistant.

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Yes, PURELL™ Surface Sprays are registered with the EPA as a fungicide, meaning they are able to eliminate mold and mildew.

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All of the PURELL™ Surface Sprays can be used on surfaces where consumable food products are placed and stored including food preparation counters, dishes and cooking utensils, equipment and utensils found in dairies, food processing plants and eating and drinking establishments. The no rinse food contact formulation provides a 99.999% bacterial reduction and does not require a rinse-step whether it is used on food contact surfaces or not.

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PURELL TOUCHABLE® Technology means that you can safely touch surfaces right after they have been disinfected with PURELL™ Surface Disinfecting and Sanitizing Sprays. No rinsing is required, even for surfaces like food prep counters. Food can be safely prepared right after the surface has been disinfected. Users of the products can safely disinfect surfaces without using gloves or safety glasses. They also do not need to wash their hands after disinfecting surfaces.

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The EPA uses a product’s toxicology data to determine its hazard category rating.  PURELL™ Surface Sprays were categorized as Category IV, which is the lowest toxicity rating and therefore does NOT require precautionary statements on label, such as DANGER, WARNING, CAUTION or Hazard to Humans and Domestic Animals.

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The active ingredient in PURELL™ Surface Spray products is ethyl alcohol.

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GOJO launched three surface sprays for the foodservice, healthcare and professional markets due to both regulatory guidelines and market-specific product requirements. The EPA requires that the product be labeled for the manner in which it will be used. Secondly, each market has unique needs and requirements. Benefits of each PURELL™ Surface Sprays include:

The PURELL^™ Foodservice Surface Sanitizer

• Formulated for Food Contact Surfaces: No rinse required on food contact surfaces, NSF certified D2 classification
• Rapid Germ Kill Time: Eliminates Norovirus, Salmonella and E. coli in 30 seconds
• Easy-To-Use: Patented 1-step sanitizer and cleaner
• Powerful Peace of Mind: No precautionary statements; no handwashing , gloves or safety glasses required. 
• Multi-Surface Performance: Proven across most hard and soft surfaces
• Fragrance-Free – No harsh fumes. Gives peace of mind for use around patrons and food

The PURELL^™ Healthcare Surface Disinfectant

• Rapid Germ Kill Time: 30-second disinfection for MRSA, VRE and Norovirus
• Powerful Peace of Mind: Fragrance-free formulation delivers efficacy without the strong, lingering odor of bleaches and hydrogen peroxide. Ideal for use around patients
• Easy-To-Use: Patented 1-step disinfectant and cleaner
• Multi-Surface Performance: Proven performance across most hard and soft surfaces

PURELL^™ Professional Surface Disinfectant

• Powerful Peace of Mind: Tough enough to kill 99.99% of germs on surfaces, including the cold and flu virus, yet gentle enough for children’s toys
• Easy-To-Use: Patented 1-step disinfectant and cleaner
• PURELL TOUCHABLE® Technology: No rinse required on food contact surfaces; no handwashing, gloves or safety glasses required, no harsh fumes and no precautionary statements
• EPA Design for the Environment Certified: Delivers the fastest overall disinfection times of any Design for the Environment (DfE) product
• Fragranced – Light, refreshing citrus fragrance

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There are no trade-offs with PURELL™ Surface Sprays.  PURELL™ Surface Sprays are certified by the EPA Design for Environment and have the EPA lowest toxicity rating and the fastest overall disinfection times for bacteria and viruses than any other DfE product.  This includes a powerful germ kill for 22 organisms, including MRSA, cold and flu virus and norovirus within 30 seconds.

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PURELL™ Surface Sprays rapidly eliminate 27 organisms with 30-second disinfection on 22 organisms including MRSA, Flu, VRE and Norovirus.

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You can find additional information at www.purellsurface.com

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GOJO is a purpose-driven company committed to driving sustainability through our solutions and the ways we work. Our sustainability commitment includes taking responsibility for our products and proactively reducing their impacts from development through to the end of life. We are also committed to reducing the impacts of our daily business operations.

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Sustainable Ways of Working, or SWOW^SM, is about changing the way we think and work at GOJO in order to embed sustainability into all aspects of our business. Practicing Sustainable Ways of Working will create value for GOJO and its stakeholders -- employees, customers, suppliers, partners, communities, society and the ecosystem -- now and for generations to come.

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GOJO recognizes water as a precious, but finite global resource, with billions of gallons used every day to grow crops and sustain lives. At GOJO, water is critical to our delivery of health and well-being to the world. We are passionate about preserving this valuable resource. That's why we've identified our own water usage as a target for reduction. As an action undertaken through SWOW, we're recycling cardboard to an annual water savings of 93 million gallons. In addition, we've set a goal of further reducing water usage by 30% relative to the 2010 per-product-use by 2015.

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Biodegrades within 28 days as measured by test method OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development) 301 B, a widely accepted test method for measuring the biodegradability of an ingredient or entire product formula.

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PURELL® products included in the GOJO global sustainable solutions portfolio are positioned as “renewable” products and make the supporting claim, “Contains ethanol produced from 100% plant sources.” The description, plant-based or plant-derived is used to distinguish the ethanol in PURELL from ethanol produced from synthetic or unnatural sources. GOJO also carries a full line of hand soaps and shampoo/shower/bath products that are made, in part, from renewable resources and have earned third-party certification for environmental leadership and proven performance.

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GOJO defines sustainability as being about meeting or exceeding the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet or exceed their own needs. There are three key domains of sustainability:

• Social - Enhancing quality of life and reducing risks to health and well-being
• Environmental - Increasing positive impacts and reducing negative impacts on our ecosystem
• Economic - Building economic strength and prosperity for an enterprise and its stakeholders

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There are two core sustainability benefits designed into GOJO product dispenser refills:

• GOJO SMART-FLEX™ Technology: The sustainable packaging strategy applied to invent GOJO SMART-FLEX technology is known as source reduction. This package is a lightweight and recyclable PET bottle made with 30% less material and the same robustness as a standard rigid HDPE bottle.

  
  

  What is PET? Polyethylene terephthalate, more commonly referred to at PET, is a plastic known for its strength, thermostability and transparency. Both PET and HDPE plastics are commonly used in beverage, food and liquid containers, but PET plastic is lighter in weight while being just as robust. It’s also recyclable. Because of the robustness of PET, GOJO is able to provide the same amount of product to the customer in a package that uses less plastic.

  
  

  We anticipate that this sustainable packaging innovation saves over 250 tons of plastic each year.

• GOJO SANITARY SEALED™ Refills: This packaging strategy targets the GOJO goal of greater social sustainability by reducing the health risks proven inherent with bulk soap refillable reservoirs. SANITARY SEALED refills, which include fresh dispensing nozzles, are sealed at the factory to lock out germs. Bulk soaps, by contrast, are vulnerable to contamination by unsafe levels of bacteria. That's why GOJO SANITARY SEALED refills are the healthy choice.

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Natural glycerin is the natural skin conditioner in PURELL Brand Hand Sanitizer. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are sometimes perceived to have a drying effect. To overcome this perception, we formulate products made with natural glycerin at levels that allow us to make the claim that they condition skin and leave hands soft and refreshed.

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GOJO has set aggressive, long-range goals to reduce our sustainability impacts. Goals to reduce our sustainability impacts are focused on three areas including water, solid waste and greenhouse gas emissions. By 2015 GOJO strives to reduce water use by 30%, cut solid waste by 25% and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 5% relative to the 2010 per use basis.

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