Dishwashing detergent environmental impact

Even the simple task of washing dishes can have an impact on the environment.

For starters, many dishwashing detergents contain phosphate - it's a naturally occurring substance, but if too much of it gets into waterways, algae and phytoplankton feed on it and reproduce in massive numbers; causing an algal bloom.

One of the most dangerous blooms is created by blue-green algae, cyanobacteria. If large amounts are ingested, this can even kill humans.

Algal blooms block out sunlight and cause oxygen imbalances in a body of water; and as a result kill off other species.

While it's best to use a phosphate free detergent, depending on where you live and whether you wash by hand or use a dishwasher, it may be impractical or cost prohibitive to use phosphate free detergents.

This being the case, compare detergents for phosphate levels. A low phosphate level is considered to be around 1.6%, but you also need to compare how much detergent you need to use.

At Le Reve we use "Auto Dish Soap" from Trader Joe's. The benefits of this soap:
*Biodegradable
*Phosphate Free
*Chlorine Free
*Removes Dried on foods
*Removes Tough Stains
*Built-In Rinse Aid

Quick dish washing tips

By the way - when hand washing dishes, you only need enough suds to cover the top of the water with a thin layer; anything over that is just overkill and aside from environmental concerns, you're just wasting money. Also, ensure you make the most of your bottle of detergent. When it seems empty, there's probably enough for a couple of washes left if you add a bit of warm water to the bottle and then shake! Little things like this multiplied by millions doing the same does help in a small way to minimize our negative impact on the environment.