Still Using Laundry Sheets and Dish Pods? It’s time to change that.
I’ll venture to guess most folks reading this already consider big box pod cleaners toxic because of the ingredients they encase. Remember the “tide pod challenge” that swept social media in 2018, sending many to the hospital? Documented deaths have occurred from people ingesting cleaning pods, leading many to avoid these. But then “green” brands started offering pods with the promise of natural and non-toxic ingredients – inside the pod that is. Understandably, folks were eager to make the switch given the convenience of just tossing a pre-portioned product into their machine. However, the convenience of these products continues to come at a significant environmental cost, largely due to one key ingredient found in the pod casings themselves: polyvinyl alcohol (also listed on ingredient lists as PVA or PVOH). While marketed by green brands as water-soluble and biodegradable, the truth is that PVA is a petroleum-derivative, i.e. a polymer that poses serious concerns for aquatic systems, septic tanks, and overall environmental health.
What is Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA)?
Polyvinyl alcohol is a synthetic polymer derived from petroleum that is used to create the casing of laundry and dish pods, as well as the webbing of laundry sheets that binds the cleaning agents into a solid sheet. While PVA dissolves in water (although many folks tell me they find undissolved pods stuck to the bottom of their washing mashing), dissolving isn’t the same as disappearing —it simply means the polymer breaks down into microscopic particles invisible to the naked eye. Brands who defend the use of this ingredient claim that the dissolved microplastics can be captured by water treatment facilities and removed before the waste water re-enters the environment. This is a moot point for those of us in Corrales and other rural areas as we have no water treatment facility. What goes down our drains goes right into the environment. But for those who do have municipal water treatment plants, here’s an inconvenient truth: the vast majority are not equipped to effectively filter out these polymer residues, allowing them to pass through into our groundwater ecosystems and contaminate drinking water, soil, and food chains. It’s similar to marketing claims that certain materials are recyclable or compostable – just because it’s possible, doesn’t mean it’s happening.
What Happens to PVA Once It Dissolves?
More and more studies are finding that the capture of PVA-derived microplastics is in fact NOT happening.
A study published in the peer-reviewed journal International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health found that as much as 75% of PVA from household detergent pods goes untreated in the United States. That amounts to about 8,000 tons of the synthetic polymer being released into the environment annually.
I called The Southside Water Reclamation Plant (SWRP), the largest wastewater plant in New Mexico who is permitted to discharge treated water back into the Rio Grande River. I asked if the plant (built in the 1960s before PVA in pods was even a thing) was capable of filtering out PVA. I was told since I’m not a constituent of theirs (I live in Sandoval County), they couldn’t discuss this with me. I had my mom call back who is a Bernalillo County resident. Her questions were met with general confusion about what PVA is. After being passed off to multiple people, she was told “we don’t have that information”.
PVA Impact on Homes with Septic Systems and Wells
For those like me who rely on private wells or septic systems, the use of PVA-containing products is obviously problematic. Home septic tanks have no filtration system to break down synthetic polymers. As a result, plastic residues accumulate in septic tanks, potentially disrupting the delicate bacterial balance necessary for waste breakdown. PVA requires extremely specific conditions to biodegrade, including the presence of certain PVA-adapted microorganisms. While research is lacking, it is highly unlikely that these necessary conditions exist in private septic systems.
Additionally, homeowners in Corrales with private wells risk drinking water contamination and our farmers risk crop contamination, as these microscopic particles are unlikely to be removed by standard well water filtration systems. Over time, the health effects of repeated exposure to synthetic polymers in drinking water and our food supply are unknown, but I’ll venture to guess they aren’t good.
Better Alternatives for a Truly Sustainable Clean
The good news is that we already have effective, eco-friendly alternatives that don’t contribute to microplastic pollution. Unlike pods and detergent sheets, good old fashioned powders and concentrated liquids do not require PVA casings, making them a greener and safer choice when made with non-toxic ingredients. While many consumers moved away from these products for convenience, some swapped them for pods and sheets because they were trying to do away with the plastic jug. Little did they know, they were just swapping one form of plastic for another!
So, how do we avoid both PVA and single-use plastic waste? We refill, of course!
The Village Refillery stocks both powder and liquid dish detergents and laundry detergents. Bring your own container or fill into one of our donated ones. While you still shouldn’t eat them, rest assured we’ve done the research to find brands using eco-responsible yet effective ingredients so you can clean without harming the environment. By making the switch, you can help protect our local waterways, your home’s septic system & drinking water, and the planet as a whole.
Small Changes, Big Impact
Every choice we make in our daily routines has an environmental impact. By choosing to avoid PVA-based laundry and dish pods in favor of refillable liquid or powdered detergents, we help promote a healthier future for our community.
If you're ready to make the switch, visit The Village Refillery to explore our selection of refillable, eco-friendly cleaning products. Try out a few ounces before buying in bulk. We know you’re going to be back for more!
Resources:
https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/11/6027