People who leave Fairy Liquid next to kitchen sink given warning
Washing-up liquid is a staple product in UK homes, but it's not just the plastic packaging that's a problem - the ingredients can also be harmful to the environment
(Image: (Image: Getty) )
UK residents are being encouraged to rethink their use of washing-up liquid to lessen its harmful effects on marine life. This household staple, while convenient, is not only problematic due to its plastic packaging but also because of the hazardous ingredients it contains.
Home cleaning specialists told The Express that these products often contain surfactants, which are derived from fossil fuels and pose a significant risk to aquatic creatures each time dishwater goes down the drain.
The eco-conscious group Sustainably Lazy has pointed out that these surfactants introduce pollutants into our water systems, putting wildlife at risk. They warn: "Mainstream brands use fossil fuel-derived surfactants, many of which end up in rivers and harm aquatic life."
Echoing this sentiment, Ethical Superstore has raised alarms about the dangers of traditional washing-up liquids, particularly those containing sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), which is detrimental to marine habitats and ecosystems.
Ethical Superstore said: "Most conventional washing up liquids contain sodium lauryl sulphate or SLS. This acts as a surfactant, meaning it reduces the surface tension of the water and creates foam, leading to extra cleaning power. But it's not without its issues.", reports Yorkshire Live.
"SLS doesn't just dissolve away to nothing when it's used. After it goes down the plughole it can end up lingering in our waterways, endangering marine life and doing untold damage to the ecosystem."
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A new study featured in the Journal of Applied Microbiology has spotlighted the potential harm that common household surfactants can inflict on marine ecosystems. The research notes: "The use of surfactants in households and industries is inevitable and so is their discharge into the environment, especially into the water bodies as effluents. Being surface-active agents, their utilization is mostly seen in soaps, detergents, personal care products, emulsifiers, wetting agents, etc."
Moreover, the investigation warns about the dangers these substances pose to aquatic life, highlighting that "Surfactants are capable of penetrating the cell membrane and thus cause toxicity to living organisms. Accumulation of these compounds has been known to cause significant gill damage and loss of sight in fish."
These contaminants not only put marine species at risk but also underscore the broader challenge of waste management within the UK, a nation that generates over 170 million tonnes of waste annually but manages to recycle just a fraction of its plastic packaging.
In a telling event underscoring the enduring nature of such pollutants, the Burnham Coastguard Rescue Team uncovered a near half-century old bottle of washing-up liquid on a beach in 2018, prompting them to advocate for efforts to "try and reduce our day-to-day plastic use, which is difficult with current manufacturing".
For those keen on greener cleaning solutions, the market offers a variety of eco-conscious washing up alternatives. Fairy has introduced an environmentally considerate option with their refill carton, available for £4.50 on Ocado.
This product can replenish the standard Fairy liquid bottle more than twice, significantly cutting down on the need for extra plastic bottles.
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Fairy explains that their "Fairy Max Power antibacterial washing up liquid refill carton allows you to refill your 370ml upside-down bottle more than twice and helps you to save up to 85% of the plastic. The refill is recyclable."
They also highlight the convenience of their product, stating: "The Max Power bottle with no flip cap gives you Fairy's ultimately convenient cleaning experience. It helps you get out of the kitchen faster by making washing dishes fast and easy."
In addition to Fairy's solution, there are other sustainable choices such as solid washing up bars, which generally yield better results in soft water areas as opposed to regions with hard water. Moreover, there are plant-based, eco-friendly washing up liquids that come in refillable containers, catering to the environmentally conscious consumer.
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