The Planet Sees What We Canât
The Planet Sees What We Canât
The Planet Sees What We Canât
The Pods are Plastic Bill
This bill would make it unlawful for any person or entity to sell, distribute, offer for sale, or possess for the purpose of sale within New York City, any laundry or dishwasher detergent pods and sheets that contain Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA).
The Problem
Each year, over 20 billion plastic laundry detergent pods and sheets are used and sent into our water systems. Polyvinyl Alcohol (also known as PVA or PVOH) is a single-use plastic film used to wrap all single-dose laundry and dishwasher detergent pods and while PVA does break down, it does not disappear. Instead, the plastic particles go down our drains and research estimates that ~75% of intact plastic particles from laundry pods are released into our oceans, rivers, and soil.
The Health Impact of PVA
Once PVA is released into the environment, it has the potential to absorb dangerous chemicals, contaminants, antibiotics, and heavy metals. PVA works its way back up our food chain and has recently been found in drinking water and human breast milk.
PVA FAQs
More FAQs
Current Research on PVA
PVAâs health implications, where itâs been found, why it doesnât always biodegrade and more.