Ecological rating of washing-up liquids and dishwasher tablets
Published in October 2020.
What is this article about?
Find out the eco-friendliness of dozens of brands of dishwashing detergents and dishwasher tablets. The rating includes sustainable palm oil policy, the presence of aquatoxic chemicals, the use of recycled packaging, and the company's overall environmental ethos.
Brand Ethos includes the company's ecological values and its commitment to sustainability beyond other factors rated in other columns. Ecological brands that are carbon neutral (or even better carbon positive), have a reforestation programme, an efficient waste reduction system, or donate part of their profits to environmental charities (e.g. 1% for the Planet) obtained an A grade.
The company's palm oil policy is one of the most important factors in the global environmental impact. Vast palm plantations in Southeast Asia have caused untold ecological devastation, destroying the tropical rainforest and its biodiversity. According to ASAP 235 animal species are on the brink of extinction in Southeast Asia, including the Javan and Sumatran rhinos, the Sumatran tiger, and 80% of primates in the region, such as the Bornean Orangutan. This is why it can make a real difference to use products that do not contain palm oil derivatives (ideally) or at least choose sustainable palm oil. Companies can source their palm oil responsibly in part thanks to the criteria established by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). Companies that use unsustainable palm oil did not get a A rating even if all other categories were outstanding.
Aquatoxic substances were rated from A (safe) to G (most toxic). Only chemicals rated D and above are listed, as those from A to C are considered reasonably safe. Sodium Laureth Sulfate is abbreviated as SLES. Whenever the composition does not specify the type of surfactant, the rating is set as D as the most common anionic surfactant is SLES (D) and the most common amphoteric surfactants is Cocoamidopropyl Betaine (D).
The health hazard column consists mostly of allergens and skin irritants, although some of the most noxious chemicals have also been linked to general body toxicity, endocrine disruption and cancer. In addition to being an allergn, Butylphenyl Methylpropional (aka Lilial) is toxic, an endocrine disruptor with suspected of damaging fertility, and accumulates in the body over time. Bronopol and DMDM Hydantoin are both formaldehyde releasers with potential carcinogenic effects. They can cause respiratory irritation, asthma and allergic skin reaction.
Isothiazolinones are the most common allergens. They are also biocides and therefore toxic to the environment. The most aquatoxic are Benzisothiazolinone (BIT) and Octylisothiazolinone (OIT). They are listed only in that category to avoid listing it it in both columns. Methylchloroisothiazolinone (CMIT) and Methylisothiazolinone (MIT) are less toxic to water life but more allergenic and are consequently listed under health hazard. All four are listed by their acronyms. Alpha-isomethyl ionone is another allergn that is also toxic both to the enviornment and to human health, although less in known about it.
Ecological ratings of washing-up liquid brands
Best value A-rated washing-up liquid
Ecover
Seventh Generation
Bio-D 5L
Frosch
Product
Brand Ethos
Recycled bottle
Palm oil
Aquatoxic substances
Health hazard
RATING
Ecodoo (Ekibio)
A+
100%
RSPO
-
-
A+
Sodasan
A+
100%
RSPO
-
-
A+
Bio-D
B
100%
RSPO
-
-
A
Ecover Zero % (S.C. Johnson & Son)
A
100%
RSPO
-
-
A
Greenscents
B
no, but refill
0%
-
-
A
Biovie (Léa Nature)
A+
100%
RSPO
Cocamidopropyl betaine
SLES
-
A-
Frosch (Rainett)
A
100%
0%
Cocamidopropyl betaine
SLES
-
A-
Seventh Generation
A
100%
RSPO
Coco-betaine
-
A-
Attitude
A
no, but carbon neutral
not RSPO
-
-
B+
Bentley Organics
B
no
no, but sustainable
-
-
B+
Etamine du Lys
B
25%
RSPO
Cocoamidopropyl betaine
-
B+
L'Arbre Vert
A
no
RSPO
-
-
B+
Sonett
B
no
organic
-
-
B
Le Chat Balsam (Henkel)
C
100%
partly RSPO
Unspecified anionic surfactants
-
B-
Le Chat Pro Nature (Henkel)
C
100%
partly RSPO
Unspecified anionic surfactants
-
B-
Ecozone
B
100%
RSPO
Cocamidopropyl betaine
SLES
-
C+
Ajax Boost (Colgate-Palmolive)
B
no
partly RSPO
Unspecified surfactants
-
C
Maison Verte
A-
100%
not RSPO
Cocamidopropyl betaine
-
C
Eco Planet Washing-up Liquid (Carrefour)
C
no
some RSPO
Unspecified surfactants
-
C-
Method Dish Soap S.C. Johnson & Son
A
100%
not RSPO
OIT
MIT
D+
Una (Aldi)
B
70%
RSPO
BIT
Phenoxyethanol
D+
MIR Eco Sensitive (Henkel)/td>
B
no
partly RSPO
BIT
Unspecified surfactants
Phenoxyethanol
D
MIR (Henkel)/td>
B
no
partly RSPO
BIT
Unspecified surfactants
MIT
D-
PAIC (Colgate-Palmolive)
B
no
partly RSPO
Cocoamidopropyl betaine
Unspecified surfactants
MIT
D-
Palmolive (Colgate-Palmolive)
B
no
partly RSPO
Unspecified surfactants
MIT
D-
Fairy/Dreft Extra Hygiene (Procter & Gamble)
C
no
partly RSPO
Unspecified anionic surfactants
Phenoxyethanol
D-
Fairy/Dreft Original (Procter & Gamble)
C
no
partly RSPO
BIT
Phenoxyethanol
E
ECOS
A
no
not RSPO
Coco Betaine
Ethylhexylglycerin
Lauramine Oxide
Phenoxyethanol
E
PAIC Boost (Colgate-Palmolive)
B
no
partly RSPO
BIT
Unspecified surfactants
MIT
E
Lemon Washing-up Liquid (Carrefour)
C
no
some RSPO
BIT
Unspecified surfactants
MIT
E-
Modere Dish Soap
D-
no
not RSPO
OIT
MIT
E-
Sunlight Pro Formula (Unilever)
B
no
mostly RSPO
BIT
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
MIT
Sodium Dodecylbenzene- sulfonate
SLES
Chlorine bleach
Chlorine bleach, MIT
E-
D : Avoid if possible
Dawn
Gain
Joy
Salvo
Ecological ratings of dishwasher tablets brands
Best value A-rated dishwasher tablets
Ecover
L'Arbre Vert
Seventh Generation
Frosch
Note that as dishwasher tablets do not normally contain palm oil derived substances, the palm oil rating was not taken into account here.
Product
Brand Ethos
Recycled box
Aquatoxic substances
Health hazard
RATING
Biovie (Léa Nature)
A+
100%
-
-
A+
Ecodoo (Ekibio)
A+
100%
-
-
A+
Ecover (S.C. Johnson & Son)
A
100%
-
-
A
Frosch (Rainett)
A
95%
-
-
A
L'Arbre Vert
A
100%
-
-
A
Maison Verte 0%
A-
100%
-
-
A
Seventh Generation
A
100%
-
-
A
Sun/Sunlight All in 1 Powered by Nature (Unilever)