They’re often touted as a sustainable zero waste cleaning alternative, but PVA pods probably aren’t as green as we think.
The first thing to consider is that PVA is derived from petrochemicals.
Is PVA plastic? Or microplastic?
Being a flexible, petrochemical-derived polymer means PVA is technically plastic.
But is it microplastic? Or, more accurately, does PVA release microplastics?
PVA is generally deemed “biodegradable,” but “dissolvable” is actually a better way to describe it.
When PVA is combined with water and microbes, PVA goes from a polymer to a monomer (single molecules that can eventually biodegrade)—but it may take years, decades, or even centuries to do so.
So while it might not be a microplastic per se, PVA still becomes something that may put marine life at harm, just like microplastics do.
In a study by Newcastle University, it was discovered that many man-made fibers are being ingested by inhabitants of deep ocean trenches.
These plastic, synthetic and semi-synthetic materials include: ramie, lyocell, rayon, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyamide, polyethylene, and nylon.
While the jury’s still out on the potential negative impact PVA is having on marine life, we now know that it’s being found in the stomachs of amphipods from the deepest parts of Earth’s oceans.
The study’s authors conclude by saying, “[I]t is highly likely there are no marine ecosystems left that are not impacted by plastic pollution.”
PVA is responsible for some of this pollution.
Wait, so is PVA biodegradable?
This is where things get more confusing.
In recent years, research has been published claiming:
1) PVOH “is biodegradable in the environmental conditions where it is discharged”
2) “PVA has low degradation rates within WWTPs (wastewater treatment plants); thus, its hydrophilicity and massive production numbers make it a cause for concern as a pollutant in the natural environment.”
The latter study was partially funded by Blueland, a plastic-free cleaning company offering eco friendly sponges, soaps, and the like. Their laundry and dishwasher tablets are free of PVA.
That’s because PVA requires very strict conditions and microbes to fully biodegrade.
Many companies end up partnering with outside firms to establish biological environments that are suitable for degradation. In doing so, they’re able to get the data proving that their products are biodegradable.
In reality, however, most wastewater treatment plants aren’t designed to properly degrade PVA. They’re designed to break down biological matter and human waste, not this “new” plastic the world is currently obsessed with.
Truly sustainable polyvinyl alcohol would need to be able to break down entirely even by the most rudimentary of sewage systems, and the current reality is far from that ideal.
PVA environmental impact
As Forbes reported in 2021, a whopping 75% of detergent pods go untreated, potentially entering groundwater, ecosystems, and the human food supply chain.
More than 8,000 tons of PVA residue is thought to enter the environment every year—in the US alone.
Organizations like Plastic Oceans International have sounded the alarm, claiming that PVA-loving brands who use “zero waste” and “plastic-free” marketing claims are spreading misinformation.
Other studies (that aren’t funded by corporations) reflect some of these concerns, highlighting that wastewater that contains PVA can disturb aquatic life, alter soil conditions, and, ultimately, affect human health.
Once PVA residue ends up in the environment, it can also absorb heavy metals and pesticides, which may bring even more harm to aquatic species and interfere with crop yields.
PVA is a sustainable step in the right direction, but it’s important for brands to present a clean image of the whole picture (including PVA’s not-so-clean aspects).