Overview

• Conventional washing-up liquids contain fossil fuel-derived surfactants and sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), which persist in waterways and harm aquatic ecosystems.
• Research from the Journal of Applied Microbiology confirms that surfactants can damage fish gills and cause loss of sight, posing significant risks to marine wildlife.
• Plastic packaging from washing-up liquids contributes to the UK's annual waste of 170 million tonnes, with only about one-third of plastic packaging being recycled.
• Sustainable options, such as refillable cartons that reduce plastic waste by up to 85%, solid washing-up bars, and plant-based products, are now widely available in major UK retailers.
• The discovery of a 47-year-old plastic washing-up liquid bottle on Burnham beach in 2018 underscores the long-term persistence of plastic pollution in the environment.