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1.7 Rational Dosing Of Washing Powder

Technical Description

Every year the typical Pole consumes over 7 kg of washing powder. For a typical family of four persons, this amounts to 28 kg of washing powder discharged each year to natural water courses in domestic wastewater with potentially adverse environmental consequences. Due to the dynamic development of the household chemical industry, consumers have a wide choice in washing agents, which vary both in terms of their efficiency and potential harm to the environment. One means of managing their environmental impact is to improve the efficiency of the washing agents, or by providing the same or improved quality of washing at a lower dose of washing agent (see Case Study in Part C, Chapter 5). In order determine the rational dosage of washing agent to use for any given application, it is necessary to know the hardness of the water as hard water requires an higher dosage of washing powder than soft water. Information on the hardness of the water can be obtained from the water supply utility, while information on the proper dosage of washing powder should be included in the instructions for use which are provided with the packaging. It is important to provide a convenient means to measure the amount of washing powder with the product to avoid excessive use. It is also important that the consumer be made aware that excessive use of washing powder does not ensure a better washing result.

Extent of Use

This technology represents a simple, consumer-information campaign that can be used in each country within the region. Provision of information through advertising, by soap manufacturers and by washing machine makers, can alert people to the environmental damage caused by washing agents discharged to the environment, and to basics of effective washing.

Operation and Maintenance

Operations and maintenance is simple: appropriate dosing of washing agents can be carried out at the household level as part of the daily housework done by most people, or at the commercial level by laundries, etc. This technology is clearly connected to consumer habits.

Level of Involvement

This technology may be implemented at the household level, and at the industry level by the producers of washing powders and commercial users of washing agents. The implementation of this technology can be facilitated by national and international organizations seeking to achieve standarization and provide monitoring of information delivered to consumers with commercial products.

Costs

This method may benefit the consumer in lower washing costs. While some changes in production processes may be required by soap manufacturers, most laundry equipment in current use will not require any modification. Hence, this technology is a low cost/no cost technology.

Effectiveness of the Technology

This technology is effective in reducing the total amount of substances harmful to the environment, including phosphorus. According to Polish data, a 10% to 30% overall reduction in phosphorus discharged to environment is possible.

Suitability

This method is suitable for use throughout the region.

Advantages

The simplicity of the technique and measurable savings for the consumer make this an attractive technology which provides significant environmental benefit.

Disadvantages

Aside from some higher production costs incurred if low phosphate detergents are manufactured, there are no known disadvantages inherent in this technology.

Cultural Acceptability

This technology is in general culturally acceptable, although a concerted consumer education campaign is usually necessary to overcome the traditional washing habits which people learn from their parents.

Further Development of the Technology

The development of this technology requires social education, advertising company promotion, and, perhaps, changes in manufacturing processes, all of which may be considered well-developed.

Information Sources

Ryszard Janikowski, Institute for Ecology of Industrial Areas, ul. Kossutha 6, Katowice, Poland, Tel. (48-32) 1546031, fax: (48-32) 1541717, E-mail: jan@amnesia.ietu.us.edu.pl.

Associations of Producers for Cosmetics and Household Chemicals, ul. Marsza kowska 84/22, 00-514 Warszawa, Poland, Tel. (48-32) 295976, fax: (48-32) 6218466.

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