PVA in laundry sheets - what's true (and what isn't)

There’s been a lot of discussion around PVA in laundry sheets recently. Understandable, because there’s a huge amount of information out there, and not all of it is clear or accurate. The recent episode of Keuringsdienst van Waarde about laundry sheets has also, quite naturally, raised questions.

At YOKUU, we think it’s important to talk about this openly and honestly. Especially when customers reach out because they genuinely care about the environment.

In this article, we explain how we look at PVA, why we use it, and most importantly: how we think about the total environmental impact per wash.

Our mission at YOKUU

We want to make cleaning healthier for people and the planet - by working with nature, not against it. We always aim to make the most environmentally responsible choices possible, without compromising on product quality or safety - as well as by being transparent about those choices.

We don’t claim that our products are perfect. But we do believe they’re a much better alternative to what’s currently on the market.

That includes our laundry sheets.

Our claims around plastic

As you’ll see on our packaging and website:

• our products avoid plastic waste, thanks to reusable and/or paper packaging
• our products are free from microplastics

We publish our full ingredient lists transparently on our website and packaging. This includes PVA, when it’s used.

What is PVA exactly?

PVA is a water-soluble polymer designed to dissolve completely during use. It has been widely used in detergents for many years because it’s safe, stable and effective.

One important thing to note: not all PVA is equal. Its properties - and therefore its environmental impact - depend heavily on the specific type of PVA used.

Our PVA and biodegradability

At YOKUU, we deliberately chose a water-soluble PVA for which scientific research shows that it:

• fully dissolves in water
• breaks down quickly in wastewater treatment plants

Studies confirm that under normal conditions, this PVA is broken down within a few hours and does not contribute to microplastic pollution.

Our PVA and microplastics

Claims that PVA creates microplastics often refer to non-water-soluble types of PVA. These are not used in products like ours.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the United States has thoroughly reviewed these claims and confirms that detergent-grade PVA is:

• biodegradable
• safe for the environment

If you’d like to explore this in more detail, this resource from the American Cleaning Institute also offers a clear explanation of how PVA works.

Although PVA is a synthetic polymer, it behaves very differently from traditional microplastics. It dissolves in water, doesn’t remain behind as solid particles, and can be broken down by microorganisms and enzymes under the right conditions. This greatly reduces the risk of it accumulating in ecosystems.

Our PVA and toxicity

PVA is generally considered non-toxic. Because of its safety and biocompatibility, it’s been used for decades not only in laundry and dishwashing products, but also in medical applications such as:

• wound dressings
• contact lenses
• eye drops and other medical uses

Toxicological evaluations show that PVA is safe for humans and animals, even with long-term exposure (DeMerlis & Schoneker, 2003).

Looking at the total environmental impact

We recognise that this is a complex topic, and that ongoing research really matters. At YOKUU, we closely follow the latest scientific insights and work with our producers to explore alternatives, such as starch-based PVA.

That said, we believe the key question should always be: what is the total environmental impact per wash?

From a life cycle analysis perspective, the answer is clear. YOKUU laundry sheets are significantly more sustainable than conventional liquid detergents in plastic bottles, because they:

• work effectively at low temperatures
• can’t be overdosed
• contain four times fewer surfactants per dose
• are more than 75% lighter and more compact
• lead to significantly lower transport and storage emissions
• come without plastic packaging

Still have questions?

If you’d like to dive deeper into this topic or still have questions, feel free to get in touch.
We’re always happy to continue the conversation. 💚

 

Sources and further reading

For those who’d like to explore the topic in more depth, we’ve listed our sources below.

Legislation and definitions

European Commission
Regulation (EC) No 648/2004 on detergents

OECD (2020)
Microplastics and soluble polymers – definitions and scope

PVA – biodegradability and safety

Chiellini et al. (2003)
Biodegradation of poly(vinyl alcohol) – Progress in Polymer Science

Yamamoto et al. (2001)
Microbial degradation of poly(vinyl alcohol)

DeMerlis & Schoneker (2003)
Review of the oral toxicity of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) – Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology

CO₂ impact of washing and detergents

Golsteijn et al. (2015)
Life cycle assessment of detergents – International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment

European Commission – Joint Research Centre (JRC)
EU Ecolabel and detergent life cycle assessment studies

YOKUU-specific data

FW Bioconsult (2023)
Evaluation of probiotic laundry sheets

Impact Forecast (2022)
Climate impact validation report

Regulatory context – EPA review of PVA

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Response to petition regarding polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and Safer Choice status
Docket ID: EPA-HQ-OPPT-2022-0923-0001