02.08.24
New York City Council Member James F. Gennaro, chair of the Council's Committee on Environmental Protection, Resiliency and Waterfronts, introduced the "Pods are Plastic" bill with support from Blueland and Beyond Plastics. The bill would make it unlawful for any person or entity to sell or distribute any laundry or dishwasher detergent pods and sheets containing polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). Any covered establishment in violation of this will be liable to pay a fine that increases per violation. If passed, the bill would be the first of its kind in the nation.
“We’ve been vocal about PVA for the past three years and are excited to see it getting the attention it deserves,” says Sarah Paiji Yoo, co-founder and CEO of Blueland. “Blueland was created with the intention to have an impact far beyond just the products we sell. As a company, we are committed to safeguarding the environment and consumers which is why we are so excited to support New York City Council on the 'Pods are Plastic' bill. The bill sends a powerful message to all businesses that products and profit should not come at the expense of the environment. With the help of City Council Members and our New York City community, we hope this bill serves as a bold step toward a cleaner, plastic-free future for our city and beyond.”
According to Blueland, in water, PVA breaks apart into tiny particles of plastics that persist and is not readily biodegradable. Further, PVA is one of the most ubiquitous wastewater pollutants in the US. Research shows that over ~75% of intact plastic particles from laundry and dishwasher pods can be released into oceans, rivers, canals and soil. Once released into the environment, PVA has the potential to absorb dangerous chemicals and contaminants, antibiotics, heavy metals and work its way back into the food chain, and has recently been found among other microplastics in drinking water and human breast milk, according to Blueland.
PVA or PVOH Ban Is Unnecessary and Impedes Sustainable Fabric Care Innovation
“We’ve been vocal about PVA for the past three years and are excited to see it getting the attention it deserves,” says Sarah Paiji Yoo, co-founder and CEO of Blueland. “Blueland was created with the intention to have an impact far beyond just the products we sell. As a company, we are committed to safeguarding the environment and consumers which is why we are so excited to support New York City Council on the 'Pods are Plastic' bill. The bill sends a powerful message to all businesses that products and profit should not come at the expense of the environment. With the help of City Council Members and our New York City community, we hope this bill serves as a bold step toward a cleaner, plastic-free future for our city and beyond.”
According to Blueland, in water, PVA breaks apart into tiny particles of plastics that persist and is not readily biodegradable. Further, PVA is one of the most ubiquitous wastewater pollutants in the US. Research shows that over ~75% of intact plastic particles from laundry and dishwasher pods can be released into oceans, rivers, canals and soil. Once released into the environment, PVA has the potential to absorb dangerous chemicals and contaminants, antibiotics, heavy metals and work its way back into the food chain, and has recently been found among other microplastics in drinking water and human breast milk, according to Blueland.
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PVA or PVOH Ban Is Unnecessary and Impedes Sustainable Fabric Care Innovation