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FACTS ABOUT LAUNDRY

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TYPES OF LAUNDRY PRODUCTS ... Continued
Environmental Considerations

Product Ingredients
Biodegradability is an important consideration for product ingredients that are organic, like soap and surfactants. The surfactant makes up the largest percentage of the organic compounds found in household laundry products, and surfactants used in these products are biodegradable, Biodegredation occurs during sewage treatment as bacteria break down the surfactants. This reduces the amount of surfactant discharged to the environment to levels that are not toxic to fish and other aquatic life. The small amounts of chemicals not biodegraded or removed during sewage treatment are diluted in surface waters, soil and the ocean. They continue to biodegrade and to be removed from waters by adsorption to solids.

Other organic compounds found in smaller quantities may be removed in sewage treatment plants or septic tank-tile field systems by biodegradation or adsorption. These organic compounds are then discharged to the environment at levels that are compatible with aquatic life.

Biodegradability is not a consideration for inorganic ingredients such as washing soda. Such ingredients are already in their natural state.

Product Packaging
The issue of solid waste is an ongoing concern to individuals and manufacturers alike. Soap and detergent manufacturers have reduced the impact of product packaging on the solid waste stream, and decreased the amount of energy and natural resources used in manufacturing and transportation.

These source reduction efforts have included:

  • Formulating concentrated liqid and powder laundry products. Concentrated products use less packaging.
  • Offering refill systems for liquid and powder laundry products. Refill containers use less packaging material than primary containers.
  • Lightweighting plastic bottles to use less plastic but remain just as strong.
  • Using recycled plastic to manufacture all or part of plastic packages. This reduces the amount of virgin plastic required and provides a market for recycled plastic.
  • Using recycled paper for cartons made from paper. This reduces the amount of wood fiber used and provides a market for recycled paper,
Technology is constantly changing and improving. Manufacturers will continue to apply the latest technologies to assure product ingredients and packaging are environmentally sound.

Disposal
Household laundry products are formulated to go "down the drain" and to be treated in sewage treatment or septic tank-tile field systems. Products that require special handling in disposal will list proper disposal procedures on the label. Most household laundry products can safely be disposed of down the drain (flushing with water) or in the trash and pose no threat of hazard in landfills. Good rules to follow for proper disposal of household laundry products are:
  • Use up the product or give unused portions to a friend or neighbor - or -
  • Dispose of unused portions "down the drain" or in the manner suggested on the package

When disposing of empty containers, check with your local recycling coordinator to see what type of plastic, paperboard and metal containers they accept.