Latest news with #EthicalSuperstore
Edinburgh Live
08-05-2025
- Health
- Edinburgh Live
UK households who leave Fairy Liquid near kitchen sink issued warning
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info From 2025, everyone who uses washing-up liquid is being urged to alter their cleaning habits to lessen the environmental impact on marine life. Washing-up liquid, a common item in countless UK homes, poses a threat not only due to its plastic packaging but also because of its harmful ingredients. Home cleaning gurus have highlighted that washing-up liquid contains surfactants, often derived from fossil fuels, which can damage aquatic life each time you empty your sink, as reported by The Express. READ MORE - Donald Trump's 'eight-word command' to Canadian Prime Minister 'exposed by lip reader' READ MORE - Unhappy Coronation Street fans 'work out' Eileen Grimshaw's exit storyline Sustainably Lazy has pointed out that these surfactants send pollutants down the drain, endangering wildlife when they enter our waterways. They caution: "Mainstream brands use fossil fuel-derived surfactants, many of which end up in rivers and harm aquatic life." This concern is shared by Ethical Superstore, which notes that most standard washing-up liquids include sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), a toxic substance detrimental to marine habitats and ecosystems. Ethical Superstore explains: "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." They continue, "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.", reports Yorkshire Live. A recent study published in the Journal of Applied Microbiology has raised alarms about the detrimental effects of household surfactants on marine life. The research points out: "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 utilisation is mostly seen in soaps, detergents, personal care products, emulsifiers, wetting agents, etc." Furthermore, the study warns 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." The issue doesn't stop at marine health; it also touches upon the broader problem of waste management in the UK, where over 170 million tonnes of waste are produced every year, yet only a third of plastic packaging is recycled. Highlighting the long-lasting impact of such pollutants, the Burnham Coastguard Rescue Team found a nearly 50 year old bottle of washing-up liquid on the beach back in 2018. They used this discovery to emphasize the importance of reducing our daily plastic consumption, acknowledging the difficulty due to current manufacturing practices. If you're looking for more sustainable washing up options, there are plenty to choose from. Fairy's eco-friendlier alternative is available on Ocado for £4.50 - a refill carton that provides enough detergent to replenish the standard Fairy liquid bottle "more than twice.", reducing the need for additional plastic bottles. Fairy explains: "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. "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." Other alternatives include solid washing up liquid bars, which generally perform better in areas with soft water compared to hard water regions, as well as eco-friendly washing up liquids that are plant-based and come in refillable packaging.
Wales Online
07-05-2025
- Health
- Wales Online
People who leave Fairy Liquid next to kitchen sink given warning
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." Article continues below 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. Article continues below 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.
Time of India
06-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Washing-up liquid can damage aquatic life, warns study on surfactants: Here's why its usage should be ceased
Is packaging the only issue? Live Events Study highlights impact of surfactants on environment FAQs People buying washing-up liquid may soon need to reconsider their choices in the UK. However, a study has alarmed several individuals, with a stern warning to the people using washing-up liquid. The study, published in the Journal of Applied Microbiology, has highlighted the negative impact of such products and their components on the the UK, this common household item is typically sold in plastic bottles. On an annual basis, the households in the country end up using millions of these bottles, Daily Express in the home cleaning industry have expressed major concerns related to the usage of washing-up liquid, which go beyond its packaging issue. They have claimed that the bottle as well as the ingredients used in it pose a significant threat to the environment, according to a Mirror per the experts, the combination of fossil fuels and the chemicals inside the bottle might end up putting the aquatic life at its defence after the claims, Sustainably Lazy suggests that the liquids from its company have 'surfactants', an active ingredient that is responsible for removing dirt and stains from the dishes. The organisation stated that it ensures that the particles in the liquid dissolve easily in the it has been claimed that there are several mainstream brands, which have been using "fossil fuel-derived surfactants". The contents in these products end up reaching and polluting the rivers, putting the aquatic life at warning against the use of washing-up liquid has also received support from Ethical Superstore, which highlights the availability of sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) in most of the conventional liquids that people buy from stores. The SLS component works as a surfactant and reduces water's surface tension. Also, it creates foam, which makes cleaning the ingredient does not "just dissolve away to nothing when it's used," Ethical Superstore states. According to them, it ultimately ends up lingering in mainstream water bodies. This endangers marine life and also possesses damage to the a recent study, which came out in the Journal of Applied Microbiology, the researchers showed how surfactants can have a negative impact on the environment and damage marine stated that surfactants are being used thoughtlessly in households, along with industries. They are most commonly used in soaps, personal care products, detergents and other surfactants can penetrate cell membranes and prove to be highly toxic for the living organisms, read the study, adding that such components have been found to have caused damage to gills as well as loss of sight in an average, the UK generates more than 170 million tonnes of plastic water in a year, while only a third of this packaging gets can opt for washing-up liquid bars, besides going for environmentally-friendly liquid options available in the market.
Daily Record
06-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
Washing-up liquid warning issued to UK households
The ingredients in washing detergent and the bottles themselves can cause harm. The majority of UK households use washing-up liquid multiple times per day. It's a staple in most homes because of how quickly it rids our dishes of dirt. However, what many people don't know is how harmful the detergent can be for the planet, especially our seas. Buying dishwasher detergent that is sold in plastic bottles has a major impact on the environment and shoppers are now being warned of the consequences. According to cleaning experts, both the ingredients in washing-up liquid and the bottle it comes in are harming the environment every time you wash up. Every time you drain your sink, you are releasing fossil fuels and chemicals, potentially putting aquatic life at risk. It was recently revealed that British households dispose of millions of plastic bottles of washing up liquid every year and only half are recycled. Eco-friendly blogger Sustainably Lazy said dish soap has 'surfactants', which are the active ingredient which strips dirt off dishes and keeps it suspended in the water. But, warned: "Mainstream brands use fossil fuel-derived surfactants, many of which end up in rivers and harm aquatic life." Ethical Superstore backs up the warning. It says: "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. "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." A study in the Journal of Applied Microbiology revealed the extent to which surfactants can damage marine life. It said: "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 utilisation is mostly seen in soaps, detergents, personal care products, emulsifiers, wetting agents, etc. "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." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. As well as the ingredients, the bottles themselves can cause harm to the environment. The UK produces more than 170 million tonnes of waste a year, but only one third of plastic packaging is recycled. Burnham Coastguard Rescue Team said back in 2018 that it had found a bottle of washing-up liquid on the beach, which was 47 years old and had not broken down. It urged people to "try and reduce our day-to-day plastic use, which is difficult with current manufacturing." Sustainable washing up liquid alternatives If you are ready to ditch plastic bottles, for £4.50 at Ocado, Fairy sells a refill carton for its plastic bottles which allows you to refill a typical Fairy liquid bottle 'more than twice". Fairy says: '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. '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.' Other options include solid washing up liquid bars, which tend to work better in soft water areas than hard water areas, and also, environmentally-friendly washing up liquids which are plant based and refillable.
