The simplicity of grabbing a laundry or dishwasher pod and tossing it into the machine has made them a popular choice for many consumers for nearly a decade.
Detergent and other ingredients are packaged inside a dissolvable plastic coating called polyvinyl alcohol, or PVA. This synthetic polymer, used since the early 1930s, is water-soluble and breaks apart during the wash cycle, releasing the detergent.
Many companies claim PVA is biodegradable. While it can be fully biodegradable, specific conditions are needed for it to completely biodegrade. These conditions are often unmet. Also, as it dissolves upon contact with water, it can release ethylene, which is a fossil-fuel-based chemical.
This got two Arizona State University researchers wondering what happens to PVA when it reaches wastewater treatment plants.
Read more at Arizona State University
Photo Credit: QU5EUkVX via Wikimedia Commons
