Your Green Review

*Check out YGR’s blog ‘Phosphates and Chlorine in Detergents’ to learn more about the issues in this entry

The Rundown:

What: Seventh Generation’s apple scented automatic dishwasher gel

Price: $5.19 at Whole Foods

Materials (taken from website): Aqua (water), sodium silicate (protection agent and alkalinity builder), sodium polyacrylates, sodium citrate and sodium carbonate (water softeners), ppg-6 C12-15 pareth- 12 (cleaning agent), xanthan gum (thickener), Fragrance (green apple)

What makes it Green: Contains no phosphates, chlorine, NTA, EDTA, dyes or petroleum based surfactants (all of which pose health and environmental risks). Packages in 25% post consumer waste plastics.

URL: http://www.seventhgeneration.com/

Pros:

• It works. Performed as well as leading conventional cleaners both at removing stuck on food and degreasing.
• Contains no phosphates or chlorine bleach.
• Non-toxic. Click here to read Seventh Generation’s definition of ‘non-toxic’.
• Discloses all ingredients. Seventh Generation is aiding in the movement towards greater industry transparency by including complete MSDS sheets and ingredient lists for its products.
• Uses Vegetable Oil based surfactants. Vegetable oil is a renewable resource and a safe alternative to petroleum based surfactants.
• Bottles are 25% PCW polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic-Seventh Generation claims that it is working to significantly increase this amount through 2008.
• No NTA or EDTA-Both are chelating agents (water softeners) and are potentially toxic phosphate alternatives.
• Safe for septic and gray water systems.
• Not tested on animals.
• Kosher certified.
• Free of dyes.

Cons:

• Not Biodegradable. Contains synthetic acrylic polymers which do not readily biodegrade. Seventh Generation states that they are “working to replace” these ingredients with more environmentally friendly alternatives.
• Contains synthetic fragrance. The Green Apple scented forumla contains synthetic fragrances. Seventh Generation states that it plans to transition to the use of essential oils.
• Can leave film if used with soft water. In its Q&A section, Seventh Generation suggests that in housholds with soft water consumers use less detergent than recommened in order to avoid film buildup and in homes with hard water that a rinse aid be used (white vinegar is a good alternative). According to the site this film is harmless.

Product Identification Basics:

Because there are no legal definitions for some of the more common eco-labels (including ‘non-toxic’, ‘all natural’ and ‘eco-friendly’), consumers should seek out products which make specific claims (like ‘contains no…’) and display certification logos on packaging. When buying cleaners look for ingredient lists or if none are available keep an eye our for contradictory labeling. A product claiming to be ‘non-toxic’ which also has ‘danger’ printed on the back may not be as safe as it presents itself.

Read More:

Seventh Generation: Material Safety Data Sheet for this product (Technical Document)

http://www.seventhgeneration.com/files/assets/pdf/msds/English/Automatic_Dishwasher_Gel_GreenApple_MSDS.pdf

The Green Guide:  Readers Rate Green Cleaning Products (Article)

http://www.thegreenguide.com/justask/board.mhtml?bid=42

Consumer Reports: Green Label Center (Archive)

http://www.greenerchoices.org/eco-labels/eco-home.cfm?redirect=1

Treehugger: How to Green your Dishwasher (Fact sheet)

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/02/how_to_green_your_dishwasher.php