Women for a Healthy Environment (WHE) is proud to announce that it has been awarded the prestigious U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Safer Choice Partner of the Year Award, Supporter and Innovator category, for its commitment to promoting the use of Safer Choice-certified products. This national recognition highlights WHE’s efforts to educate and empower families, schools, and early learning centers on choosing safer and healthier products that protect both human health and the environment.
The Safer Choice Program recognizes companies and organizations that promote the use of products containing safer chemical ingredients. As a community-based nonprofit dedicated to environmental health, WHE has taken bold steps to encourage the widespread use of Safer Choice products, which are designed to be less harmful without sacrificing performance.
“We are honored to receive this recognition from the USEPA,” said Michelle Naccarati-Chapkis, Executive Director of Women for a Healthy Environment. “This award validates our ongoing efforts to protect the health of children, families, and educators by raising awareness about the importance of choosing safer cleaning products and materials.”
Promoting Safer Choices to Protect Communities: WHE has focused its Safer Choice outreach on some of the most vulnerable members of the community—children, their families, and educators. Through targeted initiatives, WHE has been educating schools, early learning centers, and families about the benefits of switching to Safer Choice-certified products. “Working with Philadelphia’s early learning centers, our priority is ensuring that the spaces where young children learn and grow are as safe and healthy as possible. By making the switch to Safer Choice-certified products, early learning centers are taking an important step in creating healthier environments that promote the well-being and development of our children,” said Lorna Rosenberg, WHE’s Philadelphia program manager.
Schools and Early Learning Centers: WHE has worked closely with educational institutions to help them replace traditional cleaning products with Safer Choice-certified options that are healthier for both students and staff. This initiative helps schools maintain a clean learning environment without exposing children to harmful chemicals that can impact their health and learning outcomes.
Families: Through community workshops and online resources, WHE has educated families to make informed decisions about the products they use in their homes. By promoting Safer Choice-certified household products, WHE has enabled parents to create healthier, toxin-free spaces for their children.
WHE’s efforts include webinars, in-person training, and educational materials that highlight the risks associated with traditional cleaning products and the benefits of Safer Choice alternatives. The organization also supports early learning centers in achieving Eco-Healthy Child Care (EHCC) endorsements, which align with the use of safer cleaning practices.
A Healthier Future Through Safer Choices: WHE is committed to improving community health by promoting Safer Choice-certified products, which reduce exposure to harmful chemicals linked to asthma and developmental delays.
