The Clorox Company
Mr. Don Knauss
CEO & Chairman

Dear Mr. Knauss,

I am responding to your letter of January 2007. I am apologetic to have delayed my answer, but I have been very busy working with schools and childcare centers in helping them develop and implement green practices. You are not without knowing that while our kids spend about one third of their time in an indoor environment they are exposed to many chemical irritants that can trigger chronic illnesses such as asthma and dermatitis as well as increased sensibility to pathogens.

The school year has started and many children and teachers are now in a much healthier and safer environment, many thanks to people like Steve Ashkin, Rochelle Davis, Jay Feldman, Lois Gibbs and many others who, driven by empathy (often), grieve (sometimes), love (always) and pragmatism, are putting their energy and expertise into developing and promoting sustainable practices.

A colleague – and a very good friend – told me of the Clorox Green Works product line and subsequent marketing campaign. I jumped on my computer like some jumped on their horse and, do you know what I did? I went to see if The Clorox Company had made the wise decision of dumping its line of disinfecting products using what is commonly know as bleach and quats. Suddenly, the world was really greener, I could hear the angels singing “Ouray, Clorox, Ouray!”, the birds were forming a choral to sing along, the smell in childcare centers was no longer oppressive and irritating, our water streams had one less burden to cope with. And – it has been so long – I saw the light in the dark corporate capitalism tunnel. “They know!, they finally got it! Oh, I was so right to believe in mankind!” No, it was not God but I saying this.

Don, you do not mind if I call you Don, I hear people at Clorox are quite friendly. I’ve met a few actually, nice people, very nice people. And I love Oakland, California. I live there, did you know? Don, people like me can be awfully naive. And sensitive. We live by principles, a few generally, but we stick by them days and nights. We hold people accountable to their words. We are ready to bear so many sacrifices because we believe in mankind, like an Abraham or a Gandhi.

And I have to tell I had been a bit – so much – deceived by your “Cleaner world. Healthier Lives” TV commercials. So yes, I have to admit, everything that you and your super smart branding strategist team are saying about going green is great, and right in sync with what needs to be done to preserve our planet, and your pledge to sustainability is remarkable. Truly, your people are world-class marketers. As you and your predecessors said it so often, The Clorox Company is in the branding business.

I remember meeting and exploring avenues with Bill Bauenfeind and Larry Popelka – oh, it was so close – to bring new and green technologies in the cleaning product category. Bill was attentive, Larry was dismissive. But hey, I – and my business partner – must have done a terrible job or came at the wrong time.

But I have to say I am ecstatic about your tips for “going” green, especially in regards to water conservation, one of – if not the – most important issue we have to tackle. My favorite is the one you ask to place a “bucket in the shower or tub before you suds up. Gallons of water” you continue “are wasted as you wait”. Well, they are not wasted per say. They end up in our sewage system or go directly into our water streams. I need to point out that 32 billion gallons of detergent are pour down the drain every year. And I am only mentioning consumer usage. A large part – you claim to be number 1 or 2 brand in each product category you are in – comes from the Clorox household product lines. The ones that contain chlorine or quaternary ammonium, two pesticides that are not particularly environmentally-friendly – I copied this from the Environmental Protection Agency:

- Chlorine[ CAS No. 7782-56-5 ] (including sodium hypochlorite,
Clorox) – Strong oxidizer. Produces toxic chloramine gas when
mixed with ammoniated cleaning products. Corrosive to eyes and
skin. Fumes are irritating or corrosive to the respiratory tract. Can
kill microscopic life in waterways, septic tanks and sewage treatment
plants. Toxic to aquatic life
Uses: Bleach, disinfectants, all-purpose cleaners, mildew remover,
bathroom cleaners, spot removers, or in scouring powders.
- Quaternary ammonium chloride(didecyl dimethyl ammonium
chloride) [CAS# 7135-51-5] A flammable liquid. Corrosive. An
irritant to the eyes, skin, upper respiratory tract. May cause central
nervous system depression. Ingestion may cause pain, swelling,
breathing difficulty, convulsions. Ammonium chloride is harmful to
aquatic life in very low concentrations.
Uses: Disinfectant, sanitizer.

What disturbed me the most – in regards to your Clorox TV commercials – was that you advise parents to disinfect kids’ toys with diluted bleach and spray baby’s tray with quats – to name a few. I have not seen anywhere on your labels – and of course, what would be the use of disinfecting if you have to – that we should rinse those toys or the tray with water before they come in contact with our precious ones who will certainly – put one in their mouth, lick another one, swallowing whatever volatile organic compound that is left on these items, day after day, at home or at the childcare center. I tried to explain to my 2 year-old “use it as directed”! But he does not get it yet and he can’t help it … hand-to-mouth. The pediatrician says all kids do this. And I can’t spend my day watching him. When will I have time to sleep?

Don, I know you care as much for the health of our children as you do for the one of your shareholders. Going green needs a few sacrifices. Trust me on this, your shareholders will understand, and in a few years, everyone will have forgotten that once, The Clorox Company was manufacturing and marketing highly toxic household products. The health and safety of our children are priceless. Plus, global warming is a threat no one can ignore.

Sincerely,

Marc Thibault

Trackback URI | Comments RSS