What Is The Environmental Impact Of Laundry?
We all are keen to reduce our carbon footprint.
Driving a car or doing household chores can have a significant impact on the environment. Did you know that the laundry can require up to 13,500 liters of water per year for the average family.
And this is just the beginning. So let's look at some ways your laundry habits can affect your environment.
Environmental impact of washing machine
There are three significant contributions that washing machines make to damage species by reducing the availability of resources and disrupting weather. When assessing every aspect of your life or business, consider the valuable resources the product uses and what the product produces. At the same time, the onsite washing machine is intended to be used effectively. No doubt washing machines are designed for good use, but in some aspects, you should reduce the use in your household.
Water pollution
Even with a lot of washing, the water does not disappear or completely sink into the clothes or sheets. Each load is pushed into the sewer and eventually produces wastewater discharged into streams and the sea. Even with treatment, certain pollutants, such as detergents and clothing fibers can turn into water bodies.
Each time you run the washing machine, it can release over 700,000 fine plastic fibers into the environment. These are derived from synthetic fibers that release the fibers into the water during washing. These plastic fibers can poison or starve aquatic creatures when accidentally ingested.
If the detergents used contains phosphate, this can also harm aquatic animal populations. Phosphates discarded in the water system can cause eutrophication. Eutrophication is an excess of nutrients that causes unwanted plant growth and lack of oxygen in the water, killing aquatic animals.
Waste of energy
Washing machines need electricity to move and heat the water used for washing. There are several sources of renewable energy to generate electricity, such as wind and hydro, but they are less expensive and less sustainable than fossil fuels, resulting in lower utilization.
While this option may seem "cheap," fossil fuel power generation is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. However, at the same time, running out of these limited resources and causing severe effects for humankind.
However, since 90% of electricity is used to heat water and dryers, simply drying clothes and washing them with cold or hot water instead of hot water can significantly reduce energy requirements.
Chemical pollution
The detergents we use when doing laundry kill bacteria and keep us safe, but they are offered at very high prices for our environment. Both detergents and softeners are full of enzymes, perfumes, and dyes, all of which end up in natural waters and endanger aquatic life.
These toxic wastes contribute to groundwater pollution and affect surrounding plants, but some are in freshwater.
Consider switching to Earths Laundry detergent sheets or natural solutions to help the environment. These have significantly less or no negative impact on the environment or family health.
Fibers in the air
Consider what a rotary dryer looks like after a load is applied. Synthetic fibers such as polyester contain microplastics that are released into the air of the house.
Some clothing manufacturers also use dyes that may contain toxic chemicals. These can cause skin damage but are exacerbated when washed away by lakes and rivers.
Tiny plastic fibers and chemical dyes flow into household sewage systems, introducing harmful chemicals into the water.
The bottom line
The manufacture, disposal, and cleaning of clothing have a significant impact on the environment.
From dyes and synthetic toxins that invade our water system and air to energy consumption and water waste caused by washing a couple of times a week.
However, there are plenty of ways to reduce it altogether. Choosing environmentally safe natural materials, drying clothes, and washing them in cold water is just the beginning.