What Is PVA And What Is Its Impact On The Environment?

PVA (Polyvinyl Alcohol) is a synthetic plastic polymer found in many of our everyday products. PVA is often found in household items like dishwasher and laundry pods and sheets as a thin single-use plastic wrapping or woven into laundry sheets themselves. In the U.S. alone, research shows over 20 billion PVA wrapped dishwasher and laundry pods are used every year. While the plastic wrapping around these pods might seem innocuous, when it comes to PVA, there is more than meets the eye. A recent study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health titled: Degradation of Polyvinyl Alcohol in US Wastewater Treatment Plants and Subsequent Nationwide Emission Estimate, shows that while PVA does dissolve, it doesn’t always biodegrade. We’re breaking down the naked truth about laundry and dishwasher pods, and unpacking the real implications of PVA.

Is PVA Plastic?

Yes. PVA stands for Polyvinyl Alcohol and is sometimes also written as PVOH. PVA is a synthetic plastic polymer that is often used to make thin layers of plastic wrapping and lining, like the wrapping of dishwasher and laundry pods. If you’ve ever wondered, are laundry and detergent pods plastic? The answer is yes. The PVA used in these pods is a type of plastic. Although it's designed to dissolve in water, that doesn’t mean it fully disappears. The study on the Degradation of Polyvinyl Alcohol suggests that over 75% of PVA persists as microplastics in our waterways and our soil after it dissolves in laundry and dish washing machines, flows through wastewater and ultimately back into our environment.

Key Properties of PVA

PVA is a synthetic polymer with several characteristics that make it appealing for industrial and commercial use — especially in products like laundry and dishwasher pods. However, while its functionality is well-recognized, the environmental trade-offs are often overlooked.

• Water Solubility: PVA is highly soluble in water, which is why it's commonly used in water-dissolvable products like detergent pods. But dissolving in water does not mean it disappears completely — studies have shown that much of the polymer can persist as microplastics in the environment.

• Film-Forming Ability: PVA creates strong, flexible, and transparent films. This makes it useful in packaging and coatings, including those meant to dissolve in use. The convenience is clear, but the long-term environmental impact of the leftover particles is still under scrutiny.

• Adhesive Qualities: Its strong adhesive properties make PVA a go-to in the production of paper, labels, and other packaging materials — contributing to its widespread use.

• Chemical Resistance: PVA resists oils, greases, and many solvents, which is great for performance but not ideal for biodegradation. It can be broken down with strong acids or alkalis, but those conditions are rarely met in everyday wastewater systems.

• Limited Biodegradability: Although PVA is sometimes labeled as biodegradable, that label can be misleading. In reality, it often requires specific conditions — such as industrial composting environments with heat and moisture — to fully break down. In most natural settings, it can persist and accumulate over time.

How Do Detergent Companies Use PVA?

Detergent companies often use PVA in the form of dissolvable films to encase laundry and dishwasher pods. However, this plastic film doesn’t contribute to the cleaning process itself—it's simply a vessel for the detergent. 

While some brands rely on PVA for its convenience, there are alternative methods for achieving powerful cleaning results without plastic-based materials. By opting for more sustainable PVA-free laundry detergent alternatives and finding more sustainable ways to wash your dishes, you can enjoy effective cleaning while also making a positive impact on the environment, without the reliance on plastic films.

How Eco-Friendly is PVA?

Research on PVA and its impacts on our environment is starting to gain traction. We know that PVA is a microplastic pollutant that finds its way into our waterways and soils. While further research needs to be done, the presence of intact or partially degraded plastic and microplastics from dishwasher and laundry detergent pods in the environment has been documented.

The Environmental Impact Manufacturing

The environmental impact of PVA starts with its production. The process requires chemicals, energy, and resources, which, if not managed carefully, can lead to pollution. However, compared to traditional plastic production that relies on petroleum, PVA's environmental footprint tends to be smaller. In response to growing sustainability concerns, some manufacturers are exploring greener, more efficient methods to produce PVA with fewer environmental consequences.

Is PVA Biodegradable?

PVA is designed to dissolve in water and it can biodegrade. However, the study shows that conditioners necessary for complete biodegradation of PVA are extremely specific. In order for PVA to fully biodegrade it requires the presence of very specific microorganisms and enzymes to aid in the degradation process. In addition to these microorganisms, it also requires a specific amount of time in the wastewater treatment facility.

In the U.S., most wastewater treatment facilities do not have all of the conditioners necessary for PVA to fully degrade. Either the microorganisms and enzymes are not present, or the wastewater containing PVA doesn’t spend enough time in the wastewater treatment facility to be adequately treated for degradation. So, if the PVA doesn’t biodegrade, where does it go?

The Path of PVA: From Home to Release

The PVA journey starts in the home. PVA wrapped laundry and dishwasher pods are washed down the drain and follow the path to WWTPs or wastewater goes untreated. In the U.S. an estimated 61% of PVA goes to WWTPs, and an estimated 37% remains untreated. This PVA is coming from homes, businesses and factories. PVA that is treated in a WWTP goes through the following process:

Phases of PVA in Wastewater Treatment Facilities:

Phase 1: Primary treatment:

In the primary treatment phase at a WWTP large solids are separated from the water that has entered the facility. In this phase, dissolved PVA is not typically separated from the wastewater. Because PVA is a water soluble particle with hydrophilic or “water loving” properties, it is difficult to separate PVA particles from the water in this phase. That means that water moves to the second phase and can still have dissolved PVA molecules attached.

Phase 2: Secondary treatment

If PVA were to biodegrade, it would likely take place in the secondary treatment phase. During the secondary treatment phase PVA interacts with bacteria and microbes to break down additional waste in the wastewater. In typical WWTP in the U.S. the specific bacteria and microbes needed to aid the degradation of PVA are not always present. If they are present, the water containing PVA is rarely in the presence of the bacteria and microbes needed to break down the PVA for long enough for the PVA to fully degrade.

Phase 3: Tertiary treatment

Once the wastewater has gone through the secondary treatment phase, the final phase is disinfection and filtration. In the disinfection phase it is possible for remaining PVA to be degraded, however the technology to execute that degradation is expensive, and rarely employed in WWTPs in the U.S.

After the three treatment phases, wastewater is released from WWTPs. According to the study, PVA is released into the environment as water or released as biosolids. If released as water, it has the potential to impact our waterways and impacts. If released as biosolids, it can find its way into landfills, our soil, or be incinerated. Over 65% of PVA released from WWTPs is released into our waterways or soil as microplastic particles.

Remove PVA from Your Wash Routine with Blueland

PVA may be a common ingredient in many detergent pods, but its potential environmental impact is a growing concern. By choosing products that are PVA-free, you can take a step toward a cleaner, more sustainable laundry routine. Blueland offers powerful, eco-friendly alternatives that clean effectively without the need for plastic-based materials.

Make the switch today and learn more about our favorite plastic-free swaps for your household—no compromise on function, just a healthier planet.

Sources: 

1. Federal Register. Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA); TSCA Section 21 Petition for Rulemaking; Reasons for Agency Response; Denial of Requested Rulemaking.

2. National Library of Medicine. Review of the oral toxicity of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA).

3. MDPI. Degradation of Polyvinyl Alcohol in US Wastewater Treatment Plants and Subsequent Nationwide Emission Estimate.