By Susan Wineland
Orange Recycling Committee
If there is something we all do, it’s laundry. With this new year can come new incentives to incorporate environmentally solid choices in our homes.
When it comes to something mundane such as laundry we have the opportunity to choose a wide range of great sustainable products – those that don’t use harmful plastics and chemicals and that don’t contribute to polluting the air, the water and the food we eat.
Take plastic laundry jugs. The primary problem is their environmental impact, stemming from their production, use and the disposal. A significant number of these laundry jugs end up in landfills, contributing to plastic pollution and environmental degradation. The production of plastic jugs requires resources like petroleum and water, and their disposal adds to the landfill burden. Only a small percentage of plastic laundry jugs are recycled, further exacerbating the waste problem. Their production contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, and the manufacturing process (which uses fossil fuels) contributes to air and water pollution.
These plastic jugs can also leach harmful chemicals into the environment during their production and disposal. There are some potential health concerns because some detergent jugs contain chemicals like bisphenol A and phthalates that can pose health risks. Exposure to these chemicals may disrupt hormone levels and increase the risk of cancer and reproductive issues.
Avoid buying a jug of laundry detergent; there are other much safer options available. If you absolutely must purchase one, make sure to rinse it out completely and recycle it with your weekly blue bin pickup or at your local transfer station.
Laundry pods are also problematic because they are often made with polyvinyl alcohol and are considered environmentally harmful due to the microplastics released when they dissolve. PVA can also absorb harmful chemicals and contaminants, potentially bioaccumulating in the food chain and posing risks to aquatic life and humans. PVA doesn’t biodegrade readily, leading to its persistence in the environment and potential for long-term harm. Microplastics from laundry pods can contaminate drinking water sources, potentially impacting human health; they can harm marine life, contaminate water sources and disrupt ecosystems. They have been found in human breast milk and drinking water, potentially posing health risks. Conventional wastewater treatment facilities may not effectively remove these microplastics.
Laundry detergent sheets are a plastic-free, convenient, eco-friendly and space-saving solution compared to traditional liquid detergent in plastic jugs. Most of these sheets come in compostable or recyclable packaging. Some of the many brands include Hey Sunday, Earth Breeze, TruEarth and Ecos.
If you prefer a more traditional type of detergent, explore refillable laundry detergent options or consider using powdered detergent in a box. Boxes are very recyclable.
Fabric softeners and dryer sheets, while offering a soft feel and pleasant scent, can be detrimental to your health and your clothes. Their fragrances and softeners contain chemicals that can build up on clothes and irritate sensitive skin and make towels less absorbent. Dryer sheets are single-use products, contributing to landfill waste. The chemicals in dryer sheets can release volatile organic compounds into the air when heated in the dryer.
Fabric softener can build up in the detergent drawer and other parts of the washing machine, causing clogs and other maintenance issues. It also can diminish the flame-retardant properties of children’s clothing, making it more dangerous. Fabric softener chemicals can contaminate water sources, impacting aquatic life and ecosystems. The plastic packaging and non-biodegradable ingredients contribute to plastic waste and pollution.
To avoid fabric softener or dryer sheets, add a cup of white vinegar to your laundry cycle to neutralize odors and soften clothes. Vinegar can also break down detergent and mineral residues that can make clothes stiff and rough. Or add half a cup of baking soda to your laundry to neutralize odors, brighten whites and soften fabrics. You can also apply baking soda directly to stains or mix with water for spot cleaning.
When drying clothes, toss a few wool dryer balls into the dryer to soften clothes and reduce static. Maybe add some drops of your favorite essential oil to them for fragrance. Allow clothes to air dry naturally to soften them and reduce static. Crumple a sheet of aluminum foil and add it to the dryer to reduce static cling.
While we all have laundry to do, we can make some good resolutions to use products that don’t harm ourselves, our families and our environment – and contribute to a healthier new year.
Susan Wineland is a member of the Orange Recycling Committee.