![]() There is no legal or standard definition of what makes a detergent “eco-friendly,” “biodegradable,” or “non-toxic”-“this ‘greenwashing’ is often just a marketing ploy,” says Swanson. Swanson adds that halogenated organic compounds are harmful to the environment as well as ethoxylated surfactants-“they can be contaminated with high levels of 1,4-dioxane, which also does not readily degrade in the environment.” There’s also quaternary ammonium (or quats), another potential aquatic toxicant that’s often found in laundry detergents that double as fabric softeners.Īnd while fragrance often leaves our clothes fresher smelling, Swanson says “certain fragrances and synthetic musks can be aquatic toxicants and can also release harmful volatile organic compounds into the atmosphere,” adding, “VOCs can deplete the ozone and directly and indirectly contribute to climate change.” If you want to avoid the harmful impact certain fragrances may have on the environment, consider purchasing fragrance-free products. But what you can do is select products that have as little of them as possible. Unfortunately, many laundry detergents contain aquatic toxicants, and it might seem impossible to avoid them. Strong aromas aside, our clothes still came out smelling and looking clean, so we were more than happy with the products in this round-up.Common ingredients you might want to avoid, include methylisothiazolinone and benzothiazolinone, which are “aquatic toxicants,” according to Swanson. We’ve found that while these will leave your clothes smelling clean, the strong scent mostly dissolves during a wash – this is because they lack the synthetic chemicals found in regular detergents. If you’re a fan of strong fragrances, eco laundry sheets might not be for you. ![]() The sheets dissolve in the washing machine, consist of natural ingredients and come in plastic-free (and often even compostable) packaging, but we’re wondering whether they actually get the job done as well as our go-to liquid detergent. So, for those looking to reduce their environmental footprint, laundry sheets sound like a solid solution. Most come in plastic packaging, and with less than 10 per cent of plastic actually being recycled, the rest ends up in landfill, polluting our oceans or being burnt. While liquid laundry detergent might leave your clothes smelling and looking clean, there are some downsides. ![]() ![]() Whether you invest in a reusable water bottle or coffee cup, purchase second-hand or sustainable clothing or have decided to say farewell to animal-based products and opt for a vegan lifestyle, there are plenty of changes, big and small, we can make to help take climate action.Īs for cleaning products, there are many eco-friendly options that can replace your go-to supermarket buys. In the meantime, all we can do is opt for green alternatives in our day-to-day lives. The new ban will mostly affect food and hospitality businesses and there are still plenty (more polluting) industries that would benefit from similar regulations to protect the environment, but we’ll take the small win. In doing so, they’re finally placing the responsibility for taking climate action on companies and industries, rather than the consumer. The UK government will be banning a range of single-use plastics from October 2023, including plastic plates, trays, bowls, cutlery, balloon sticks, and certain types of polystyrene cups and food containers. ![]()
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