PVA: The Unsung Hero of Safe and Sustainable Cleaning

In a world increasingly focused on sustainability, finding materials that deliver functionality without compromising the environment is more important than ever. Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) is one such material, renowned for its unique combination of utility and eco-friendliness. Widely used in products like detergent sheets, PVA offers a biodegradable and innovative solution for sustainable living.

PVA Myth vs Reality - Let’s Dive In

This blog explores why we use PVA as an environmentally friendly polymer, its biodegradability, and its pivotal role in the formulation of detergent sheets. We’ll also address common misinformation about PVA, shedding light on the facts and clearing up misunderstandings. By separating myths from reality, we’ll demonstrate how PVA contributes to a cleaner and greener future.

What Is Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA)?

Polyvinyl Alcohol or most known as PVA or PVOH or PVAI, was first discovered in 1924 by German Nobel Laureate Dr. Hermann Staudinger and outlined in his landmark publication in the field of polymer science in the Reports of the German Chemical Society Journal (1). PVA is a synthetic polymer, long-chain molecule that is composed of a large number of repeating units of identical structure, as seen in figure 1 below (1), produced by polymerizing vinyl acetate, followed by a process of hydrolysis that replaces acetate groups with hydroxyl groups.

Further, the acetate groups are hydrolyzed by ester interchange with methanol in the presence of aqueous sodium hydroxide (NaOH). The physical characteristics and its specific functional uses depend on the degree of polymerization and the degree of hydrolysis (2). This transformation gives PVA its unique characteristics, including high water solubility, strong adhesive properties, and excellent film-forming capabilities (3). Some applications of PVA in the modern world include contact lenses, medicine capsules, fishing lines, papermaking, photographic film, eye drops, 3D printing (4-6).

What Are Microplastics, and Why PVA Doesn’t Qualify?

Microplastics, by definition, are tiny plastic particles, typically less than 5 millimeters in size, that result from the breakdown of larger plastic items or are intentionally manufactured at this size for specific applications (11). These particles persist in the environment for decades, posing significant threats to aquatic life, ecosystems, and potentially human health (11). They are chemically inert, meaning they do not easily degrade and accumulate in marine and terrestrial environments (11)

Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA), by contrast, does not meet this definition. PVA is a water-soluble polymer that dissolves completely in water under normal conditions. Unlike microplastics, which remain physically intact and persist in the environment, PVA undergoes microbial degradation when treated in wastewater facilities, breaking down into harmless components like water and carbon dioxide. Scientific studies support this biodegradability, confirming that PVA does not contribute to the accumulation of persistent plastic particles in the environment.

The Eco-Friendly Nature of PVA (The green polymer)

The term ‘eco-friendly’ is officially defined as not causing harm to the environment or trying to help the environment (Cambridge Dictionary). Some key factors that make the PVA used in our sheet especially Eco-friendly, include:

Water Solubility

One of the key reasons PVA is considered eco-friendly is its high solubility in water. Unlike many synthetic polymers that persist in the environment for extended periods as solid or insoluble micro plastics, PVA can completely dissolve in water, breaking down into smaller, non-toxic molecules (12). This solubility is crucial in applications like laundry detergent sheets, where the polymer must dissolve completely during the washing process, leaving no residue behind. The ability to dissolve reduces the risk of long-term environmental and aquatic contamination, making PVA a superior choice for products designed to minimize their ecological footprint (9, 13).

Non-Toxicity

PVA is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), indicating that it is non-toxic and safe for use in products that may come into contact with food or the human body (14). Similarly, the EPA class Polyvinyl alcohol as a “Safer Choice Green-circle” ingredient (15). As mentioned above, it’s bio-compatibility is supported by its use in the field of medicine for a number of different applications, as it is FDA-approved (14). Its non-toxic nature ensures that PVA does not release harmful chemicals during use or degradation, and its rapid dissolution leaves no residues on fabrics after washing (10). This makes PVA-based detergent formulations not only effective but also gentle on consumers Recognized for its hypoallergenic properties, PVA is widely used in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, making it suitable for individuals with sensitive skin. The partially hydrolyzed PVA in our detergent sheets is specifically designed to be non-irritating and safe for regular use.
Toxicological studies published in the International Journal of Dermatology (2019) confirm that this form of PVA does not cause skin irritation or allergies. Supporting this, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) has rated PVA as Category 1—the safest rating for toxicity and environmental impact. You can view the listing here.

The Biodegradability of PVA

The term biodegradable/biodegradability refers to the ability of a material to decompose after interactions with biological elements (16). For example, biodegradation of PVA is most commonly mediated by microorganisms using the PVA as a source of carbon and energy (17).

 
The degradation process involves the transformation of the intermediate degradation products into mainly carbon dioxide and water (17). The high biodegradability and low toxicity characteristics of PVA elude to ecological compatibility, justifying the terms “readily biodegradable” and “green chemicals” (17).

Microbial Degradation

Did you know, PVA is the only vinyl polymer that can be used by bacteria as a carbon source and energy source (3). Under the action of bacteria and enzymes (18), PVA can be degraded by 75% in 46 days, so it belongs to a kind of biodegradable polymer material (19). This process occurs under both aerobic (with oxygen) and anaerobic (without oxygen) conditions, making PVA biodegradable in a variety of environments, including soil, water sources (including river water and water treatment plants), and composting systems (20, 21). In the case of laundry detergent sheets, this means that any residual PVA left after washing can be broken down naturally, reducing the accumulation of persistent synthetic polymers in the environment. At Lucent Globe we’ve tested our Sheets to the global gold standard testing organisations, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and our sheets are OECD-301B certified, see below figure 1.0 for test results.

Figure 1.0: Lucent Globe OECD-301B test results of PVA biodegradability As you can see from figure 1.0, after 28 days the biodegradability of the Lucent Globe detergent sheets reaches almost 98% fully biodegraded.

Environmental Conditions

The rate at which PVA degrades depends on several factors, including temperature, humidity, and the presence of microorganisms. In warm, moist environments, where microbial activity is high, PVA degrades relatively quickly (13, 20). For example, in composting conditions, PVA can degrade within weeks to months, depending on specific parameters. This makes PVA an ideal material for products like laundry detergent sheets, which are used frequently and disposed of regularly, requiring a material that does not persist in the environment long after use.

Reduced Carbon Footprint

The production of PVA involves raw materials that are readily available, and the manufacturing process is energy-efficient, leading to a relatively low carbon footprint compared to other synthetic polymers. Moreover, the form of detergent sheets allows us to significantly reduce our carbon emissions during transport and shipping, when compared to traditional liquid based products packaged in plastic bottles, due to the face that detergent sheets are significantly lighter. They are 100% concentrate, what you see is what you get.

The Eco-Friendliness of PVA:

A Heated Debate in the Detergent Industry. The eco-credentials of Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) have become a flashpoint in the laundry detergent industry. As innovative products like detergent sheets gain traction for their convenience and reduced plastic waste, PVA has found itself at the center of controversy.

Some companies argue that PVA, despite its water-solubility, doesn’t fully biodegrade in natural environments, claiming it contributes to microplastic pollution. However, these critiques often ignore critical scientific findings, which includes more than 50 years of published science articles and extensive reviews by regulatory agencies from around the world have supported the safety of PVA for use in diverse industries, including cleaning, food, medicine and agriculture.

Environmental Protection Agency and many other studies have shown that PVA, when disposed of in well-maintained wastewater treatment systems, biodegrades effectively, breaking down into harmless byproducts like carbon dioxide and water. Critics of PVA often omit this nuance, leveraging the debate to promote their products as "truly eco-friendly," even when these alternatives may come with their own environmental trade-offs.

Companies are spreading this misinformation and are actively ignoring a significant amount of third-party research done on the safety and biodegradable properties of PVAs. These non-governmental organisations are continuing to lie and spread false information regarding PVAs. They are attempting to show that all companies using PVAs are harming the environment, which is not true, and to try and place themselves at the forefront of the laundry and cleaning industry and prevent innovation from continuing within this sector.

 
They are also trying to pigeonhole the PVA used in detergent sheets as the same type that is used in detergent pods, something which is simply not true. For example, most pods have some type of liquid component, which would dissolve on the shelf if the same PVA was used as that in detergent sheets. Understanding the PVA argument, as well as other eco-friendly ingredients, is key to making informed, eco-conscious choices.

 
For more PVA myths and myth debunking, please see this article by the American Cleaning Institute (ACI), where they highlight misinformation spread by alternative “eco-friendly” cleaning brands. The response of the EPA to a petition to reclassify and investigate PVA toxicity, put forward by a non-government organisation, can also be seen in reference 15.

Comparison with PVA in Pods

The PVA used in dishwashing and laundry pods is often nearly fully hydrolyzed, giving it a more crystalline structure that is highly water-resistant. While this enables the pods to endure higher temperatures in dishwashers and washing machines, fully hydrolyzed PVA dissolves more slowly—especially in cooler water—potentially leading to incomplete degradation before reaching wastewater treatment facilities. This slow dissolution can increase the risk of PVA fragments remaining in natural waterways.

In contrast, the partially hydrolyzed PVA used in detergent sheets dissolves more rapidly and degrades more completely, even in cold water. A 2021 study published in Environmental Science & Technology found that partially hydrolyzed PVA degrades 30-40% faster in cold water, significantly reducing its presence in ecosystems and lowering its overall environmental footprint. This minimizes the risk of residual polymer fragments and avoids contributing to microplastic contamination. Conventional pods, 
which may use fully hydrolyzed PVA or even non-biodegradable plastics, pose a greater environmental risk, particularly in aquatic ecosystems.