P&G to phase out phosphates

In its bid to reduce use of phosphates, the company has cited a new “breakthrough innovation” that will help it to overcome the challenges of boosting product performance without their use.

Their popularity for use in fertilisers and cleaning products has seen phosphates find their way into many public waterways where their high nutrient content can promote algae blooms.

For us, actions speak louder than words in the area of sustainability. This is why we have gone beyond regulation in our removal of phosphates

George Tsourapas, P&G’s global home care president

P&G said its new innovation would help remove over 14,000 tons of phosphate annually, while its improved cleaning performance would negate the need to pre-rinse dishes, which could also save a potential 21 billion litres of water per year.

The company said it had been gradually reducing its consumption of phosphates since 2005, already replacing it in over 95% of its cleaning products.

Phasing it out altogether would put the company ahead of Europe legislation that dictates all dishwasher soaps must be limited to phosphorus content of 0.3 grams per dose by the beginning of 2017, P&G said.

The company will stop using phosphates in both retail and professional dishwashing products globally, even though their use in dishwasher tablets remains unregulated in many regions of the world.

“We’ve invested in breakthrough innovation to ensure we are able to improve Fairy’s ability to cut through tough food first time while removing phosphates from our formula,” said George Tsourapas, P&G’s global home care president.

“For us, actions speak louder than words in the area of sustainability. This is why we have gone beyond regulation in our removal of phosphates.”

The company has also said it is in the process of removing polyethylene microbeads from cleansers and toothpastes by 2017.

Environmental concerns have recently emerged over their widespread use in personal care products. However, P&G said the majority of its global product volume was already microbead-free.

“While microbeads are completely safe for people, and part of an enjoyable product use experience, we understand there is a growing preference for us to remove this ingredient,” the company said.

“Therefore, we are in the process of eliminating them from our toothpastes and cleansers.”