Did you know that the detergent we use to wash our clothes could affect the environment in more ways than you think? Laundry detergents that contain phosphate can create algae blooms in freshwater and the algae will use up the oxygen that other aquatic life need. Thus leading to a dying ecosystem due to the depletion of oxygen.
Surfactants are chemicals that reduce the surface tension of oil and water and help dirt to stay out of clothing and other items being cleaned. This substance breaks down the mucus that coats fish and leave them vulnerable to attacks from parasites and bacteria. Reduced surface tension also allows aquatic life to absorb pesticides, phenols and other water pollutants much easier.
The plastic containers that laundry detergents come in are mostly non-reusable and non-recyclable. Every time you buy a bottle of laundry detergent, that bottle goes to the landfill and stays there for hundreds of years.
Currently, there are eco-friendly alternatives that work just as well as conventional laundry detergents and don’t cost a lot extra too! To combat plastic waste, Clytia Wong founded BYOB Damansara Kim where we can bring our used laundry and other plastic bottles, reuse them to buy both conventional and eco-friendly laundry detergent and other cleaning liquids. We spoke to Clytia on eco-friendly detergents, reusing laundry detergent bottles and why we should all do our part.
Quote: CURRENTLY, THERE ARE ECO- FRIENDLY ALTERNATIVES THAT WORK JUST AS WELL AS CONVENTIONAL LAUNDRY DETERGENTS AND DON’T COST A LOT EXTRA TOO!
1Twenty80: WHY SHOULD WE CONSIDER ECO-FRIENDLY DETERGENTS?
Clytia Wong: This is so we can eliminate harmful substances that are flowing into our water sources.
1Twenty80: BY USING ECO-FRIENDLY DETERGENTS, HOW ARE WE HELPING THE ENVIRONMENT?
Clytia: Most eco-friendly detergents focus on the biodegradability of the detergent but BYOB’s take on this is a step more whereby we strongly believe that plastic is a major pollutant, not just the detergent. Hence, we advocate for detergent refills.
1Twenty80: ARE THEY AS EFFECTIVE?
Clytia: Yes, unless the consumer is too jaded with commercial products that are heavily scented and brighten the clothes after every wash.
Photo credit: BYOB Damansara Kim Facebook
Photo credit: BYOB Damansara Kim Facebook
1Twenty80: WHAT ARE THE HARMFUL CONTENTS IN NORMAL DETERGENTS THAT WE MIGHT NOT KNOW AND THEIR EFFECTS ON US?
Clytia: Harsh chemicals in detergents could irritate our skin and one of the most unsuspected ones is the optical brightener. This chemical absorbs UV light and reflects back blue light and creates an illusion of whiter clothes. It does not remove stains but just add chemicals to your clothing. Optical brightener is non-biodegradable, harmful to our marine life and could cause skin reactions for some people.
1Twenty80: WHAT ARE WAYS THAT WE CAN REUSE THE PLASTIC BOTTLES THAT COME WITH THE DETERGENTS?
Clytia: Firstly, you cannot recycle good grade detergent bottles. You can only downcycle it and turn it into something inferior and after a few times of recycling, it will have to be sent to landfills. Hence, we promote reuse and reduce. Recycle is only the last option.
1Twenty80: OTHER THAN REUSING DETERGENT BOTTLES AT YOUR STORE, WHAT OTHER BOTTLES CAN BE USED?
Clytia: Plastic milk bottles and 1.5 litre carbonated water plastic bottles. We advise for consumers to remove the labels on plastic drinks bottles to prevent any untoward incidents.
Glass bottles are not accepted mainly because after filling, these bottles will become very heavy and there’s also a risk of breakage.
1Twenty80: DOES BYOB HAVE OTHER DETERGENTS BESIDES LAUNDRY DETERGENTS AND HOW DO YOU CHARGE?
Clytia: Yes! We also have softener, bleach, kitchen, bath and floor cleaners, car care detergents, and a natural range that includes laundry detergent, kitchen degreaser, pet shampoo and surface cleaners. There are also personal care items such as shower cream, hand sanitiser and more. Prices are per kilogram depending on the product and after weighing the bottle, we only charge for the liquids bought.
1Twenty80: WHAT DO YOU WISH TO LET THE PUBLIC KNOW ABOUT ECO-FRIENDLY DETERGENTS AND WHY WE SHOULD REUSE AS MUCH PLASTIC AS WE CAN?
Clytia: We hope more people are aware that they don’t need strong or expensive detergent for their cleaning needs. Choose low suds, less scented and biodegradable detergent and don’t purchase those aluminium pouch refill packs because these pouches can’t be reused. Plastic is made to last 400 years so please do not treat it as a disposable or recyclable item. Plastic is only about 200 over years old and because it takes so long to biodegrade, every single piece plastic that we’ve used is still on Earth. We must reduce and reuse now because at the rate we are going, we may drown in plastic very soon.
Sidebar: BYOB Damansara Kim
Find them at: Address: 15, SS20/11, Damansara Kim, 47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan. Contact: +6012-2455480
Email: pjbyob@gmail.com
Opening hours: Weekdays – 10am-6pm; Weekends – 10am-4pm (Closed on Wednesdays and public holidays)
Reference: Livestrong.com
