POLYVINYL ALCOHOL (PVA, PVOH) | How Easily Does it Biodegrade?

I think you no choice right now but to start by using the PVOH. You’ve done a good job laying out the argument in a fair way. But this a business you’re running; it is neither funded nor backed by any external sources who might have their own agenda. You have an agenda and you stick to it. You want to grow your business and establish an awareness of what it takes to be successful both as a stand-alone transparent company and put forth an honest up to date product that works: that is, a product completely comparable with established products but is designed to be virtually biodegradable and competitive in price. And price has to be included in the argument. Your consumers want a product that works as well or better than others and is priced accordingly. You just can’t be a business that subsidizes it’s green product line to accord with the choices of a narrow segment of your market, you wouldn’t last five minutes. Those who are 100% “committed” to green will never be completely satisfied. There is no such thing, I think, as brand loyalty. You’ve caught the wave, in fact you’ve helped establish the wave. Stick to your knitting: that is to create a product that is pretty close to 100% but also is not part of a political/sociological movement. In my opinion your best marketing devices are in the name “ette” ( and what it stands for) and your total up front transparency and honesty. The question I am responding to is proof of your raison d’etre (I think that’s right. I was never strong in French). You’ve explained the alternatives; now go out and sell the capsules promising you will continue to look for beeswax alternative as soon as circumstances and R and D make it practical and affordable.

Why not have your soaps in more solid form that don’t need “pods” of any kind? That would seem to be the obvious solution to both problems. Note, you have probably seen the ads on TV for little tablets that go in water to become dishwashing soap, handwashing foam, and general surface cleaners. They advertise this as the last plastic bottle (theirs) you’ll ever buy; I have a metal pump top that fits on a Mason canning jar. Get a bunch of those as an add-on to tablets.

Because pods have to be packaged in plastic containers and still rupture easily, I’d rather see wax containers used for liquid products

use PVA/PVOH for now as you continue to develop wax soap-pods. I believe for them to appeal to the masses they have to be economical and easy to use.

I have bought dishwasher pods from 7th Generation that are encased in this I believe. It worries me that it dissolves and incorporates chemicals in its makeup that will then persist in the environment for an uncertain amount of time. Normally I buy DW powder in cardboard boxes with a metal pull-down “spout”. I like and appreciate your guiding principles when it comes to picking packaging – if you can stick with those that would be my preference.

My concerns with wax based pods would be how does the wax behave when it is melted and comes in contact with your dishes or clothes and when it is discharged will it then solidify in the sewage system like fat does??

As new technology arises, like PVOH you have to weigh wether or not it is harmful to our water.

Personally, being on a septic system, I would avoid wax products and be more inclined to use the PVOH products.

I think continue with developing your natural pods. I see the PVAL as to much of an unknown. I understand the need for a price reduction but at what cost to your principals. I think in this day and age your message of caring for the environment has attracted so many. You don’t want to lose those customers or weaken that message.

“PVOH on the other hand just dissolves away.” Yes, but “away” is still in our water supply, and as you point out, we don’t know the long term impact of the monomers that are left behind. There IS waste – we just can’t see it. The wax soap pods can be composted – there are other options out there, though. The natural foods industry has been using gelatine for capsules (and vegan, non-animal gelatine) for years. It might be worth exploring that option in a thicker, ALSO dissolvable, membrane to contain the soap. The stuff they use is injested, and has to pass various certifications for safety. OR: use a neutral, and REFILLABLE sturdy option: stainless steel tubes with silicone (or other neutral material) stoppers, that can be recycled or returned for RE-USE! The packaging costs, but you could offer a discount to customers who return their tubes for refilling. *this could also open up the option of you marketing your product to eco-friendly shops across the country that have refill bars!! (Tare Shop in Halifax, Earth’s General Store nd Carbon Environmental in Edmonton as examples).