Standard detergents and cleaning products often contain harmful chemicals designed to annihilate grime – but at what cost? Ingredients such as “optical brighteners” don’t biodegrade and are extremely toxic to aquatic life. When used in laundry products, they can also affect the lifespan of your clothing.

Eco Choice Aotearoa’s standard for detergents and cleaning products is designed to ensure sustainable sourcing of raw ingredients, reduce human and environmental exposure to harmful chemicals, conserve resources, protect our waterways and ecosystems and reduce waste including packaging.

This category includes, but is not limited to the following products:

• Hand dishwashing detergents
• Laundry detergents
• Machine dishwashing detergents
• General purpose cleaning products
• Glass/window cleaning products
• Floor and carpet cleaning products
• Bathroom cleaning products

Tablet toilet bowl cleaning products or urinal blocks are excluded, as are items with the purpose of disinfecting.

Eco Choice Aotearoa takes a lifecycle approach with all its product and service standards; considering the sourcing of raw materials, manufacture, application and end-of-life.

Applicants must have an effective product stewardship scheme in place, or show strong evidence they’re working towards one. In addition, companies must monitor and report on operational emissions, waste, energy and water usage.