Use of product and ingredient tools to assess the environmental profile of automatic dishwashing detergents

Abstract Sustainable use of resources is gaining more attention as demonstrated into recent policy goals by the United Nations and the European Union and becomes an integral part of many corporate sustainability visions. The case study shows the more efficient use of materials in P&G automatic dishwashing detergents (ADD) placed on the market in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) by replacing sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) with methyl glycine diacetic acid (MGDA). The use of phosphates in ADD in the European Union will be restricted as of 2017. This study is innovative as it combines several tools in a complementary way to enable data based decision making. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) consistent with ISO 14040/44 standards compares environmental impacts for two ADD unit dose products (i.e. with and without STPP). Different assessment tools were used to evaluate the freshwater aquatic toxicity profile: the Critical Dilution Volume (CDV), USEtox, environmental risk assessment and the Environmental Safety Check (ESC). For the relevant LCA indicators, a significant reduction (i.e. > 10%) is observed on ADD products without phosphate versus the phosphate containing product. CDV and USEtox scores on the down the drain emissions from the new product are reduced by 30% and 22% respectively as compared to the phosphate containing formula. Overall, no major trade-offs are observed with the replacement of STPP by MGDA. Benefits are due to a 20% reduction of the mass of ingredients per dose with the new product and the replacement of STPP by MGDA. The ESC evaluation and environmental risk assessment for MGDA show that a low environmental risk is expected per its favorable environmental fate and ecotoxicological profiles. Based on the proven safety profile of MGDA, the reductions in LCA indicators and absence of trade-offs, it can be concluded that the new product has an improved environmental profile.