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Is Seventh Generation Dish Soap biodegradable?

By Our Lovely Earth
Page last updated: 12/26/2022 | Next review date: 12/26/2024
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Our Lovely Earth
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This article covers some important aspects regarding Seventh Generation Dish Soap and discussed the following questions:

  • Is Seventh Generation Dish Soap biodegradable?
  • What are the ingredients of Seventh Generation Dish Soap and how are they sourced?
  • Are all the ingredients natural or synthetic?
  • Is the packaging recyclable?
  • How does it compare with synthetic chemical-based dish soap in terms of performance?
  • How to dispose of the soap after using it?
  • Are there any better or greener alternatives?

Is Seventh Generation Dish Soap biodegradable?

Yes, Seventh Generation Dish Soap is biodegradable considering that it is made from plant-based materials. Biodegradability means that a product is decomposed naturally in the environment in less than a year. 

Considering that plant-based materials are mostly organic and are easily degraded in nature and hence are considered biodegradable.

However, not all plant-based materials are biodegradable because plants release many different types of chemicals and can themselves be the source of those chemicals that are not easily degraded.

This means that although materials from the plants may be biodegradable, the process they go through to make the final product may change their properties and hence a closer look must be taken at the biodegradability aspect of Seventh Generation Dish Soap.

What are the ingredients of Seventh Generation Dish Soap and how are they sourced?

Although the company claims that all the ingredients used in Seventh Generation Dish Soap are “plant-based”, still the term can be very confusing. 

Generally speaking, when we hear the term “plant-based”, we automatically think that a certain product is safe for us and the environment but that might not be the case. 

The ingredients used in Seventh Generation Dish Soap are mostly water and other plant-based cleaning agents which are sourced from plants but there are substances which might be sourced from plants but are considered as safe and green. For example, sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is a compound used in detergents, shampoos, and soaps. 

SLS is generally considered safe for us as a detergent but it has been shown to be mildly toxic to aquatic life and the Safety Data Sheet also recommends that gloves should be worn while using Seventh Generation Dish Soap, a fact not consistent with the advertising portion of the product which deems it safe for skin contact. 

Are all the ingredients natural or synthetic?

As discussed earlier, most of the ingredients are natural plant-based ingredients and generally considered safe for use but still, there are a few cautions so the product must be used in accordance with the guidelines.

However, a question arises what is the purpose of adding a chemical such as SLS which is a harmful chemical for skin and aquatic life and why bother getting it from a natural source when there is no difference between the harms of a natural or synthetic chemical such as in the case of SLS.

There are a few things to consider. Firstly, SLS while being harmful is one of the least toxic chemicals available on the market for use in detergents. 

Secondly, it is commendable that instead of using synthetic methods of producing SLS which may produce more harmful chemicals as by-products, the company chooses to go for plant-based SLS.

Lastly, SLS are other similar ingredients that have an important role to play as a cleaner, still, there are not many natural options that are capable of effective cleaning so a little margin can be given in this regard. 

Is the packaging recyclable? How to dispose of the packaging?

Yes, the packaging is not only recyclable but also the company claims that all of the bottles used for packaging are made from 100% recycled PET which makes the product with zero waste.

The packaging should be sent to a recycling facility preferably and it is not possible that it can be thrown into recycling bins and trash where the waste management facilities will filter such recyclable bottles.

How does it compare with synthetic chemical-based dish soap in terms of performance?

One thing must be accepted before this question is answered. Any biodegradable product will always be or mostly be less than synthetic products in terms of performance and there are several reasons for it but one is necessary to understand it.

Chemical-based products are centred around performance and getting the job done with no regard whatsoever for nature and that’s why they are better at performing than natural or biodegradable products.

Biodegradable or natural products on the other hand are centred around preserving nature and hence lose some part of the performance aspect in comparison with chemical-based products but still there is room for improvement.

As time passes, new products are introduced into the market which is better at getting the job done and are also biodegradable. In the journey, it requires the support of people who are conscious of the environmental damage that synthetic products do and are willing to support such products which are biodegradable. 

How to dispose of the Seventh Generation Dish Soap?

The safety data sheet does not recommend any special measures for disposing of soap and it can be disposed directly into sewage and water bodies as it is considered safe but still one should be cautious of using it besides lakes and rivers and should prefer disposing of where treatment plants are near.

Are there any better or greener alternatives?

Yes, as it happens, there is always room for improvement. The thing about being “green” is that the product not only has to be environmentally friendly but also has to be reasonably priced so that the majority of the consumers prefer it over other unsafe options.

The economic aspect of a green product is equally important because at the end of the day, most consumers are not able to buy such products due to their high price and the impact these products are trying to create is left with a big gap.

Seventh Generation Dish Soap is probably the best one available on the market but it is also one of the most expensive available. 

There are other products such as ECOS dish liquid and Honest dish soap which claim to have the same features but they are less than half the price of Seventh Generation Dish Soap. Seventh Generation Dish Soap may have better ingredients but a normal consumer may not be able to tell the difference.

Conclusion:

Seventh Generation Dish Soap is one of the best dish cleaners available on the market because they are biodegradable and eco-friendly. However, their premium price may make it difficult for normal consumers to contribute their part to keep the environment safe. Hence such products should also focus on the economic aspect of “Green”. 

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