Ethical consumerism: Ecover

[ailbhe]

I was recently told that Ecover have some products which use enzymes derived from genetically modified plants. Who would you trust to give me accurate information on whether or not this is true? I was already pretty annoyed with them over the non-recyclable recyclables they promote; full disclosure requires more, I feel.

Comments

[artela.livejournal.com]

http://www.ecover.com/gb/en/Enzymes+extended.htm

[ailbhe]

This is very like what they say about the packaging. How irritating.

[rjw76]

I will happily translate that into layman's terms if you like, and explain how it's done.

FWIW, if they are telling the truth I really don't think there's anything to worry about environment or health wise with what they are using. Obviously I can't tell if they are telling the truth, but what they've put up there sounds to me (biochemistry degree in hand) reasonable and logical and doesn't look to have any lies-by-omission.

[ailbhe]

Yes please. The recycling thing is basically "we know you can't recycle it, but it's recyclable, so it's not our fault," and this reads to me very like that in its "bigger companies bought our supplier, we can't promise anything, don't blame us, we're only trying our best."

I'd really like another source, mind you, since trusting the manufacturer goes against the grain.

[rjw76]

Right. Will do that during spod time in the lab tomorrow.

[rjw76]

And done. Sorry it got a bit long...

http://www.srcf.ucam.org/~rjw76/ecover.txt

[tiggsybabes.livejournal.com]

Interesting, I hadn't noticed that myself. I;m still happy to use their products though as like the fact that I'm not generating harmful chemicals in my home & down the drain. DH would prefer it if I bought cheaper products, but this is my stand for the environment.

[radegund.livejournal.com]

Hmmm. Very interesting. Dishwasher tablets are apparently the only enzyme-containing Ecover products we use. Having read through the Ecover page and rjw76's translation, I think it's a trade-off I'm willing to make.

For laundry, we're still using soap nuts for the moment, although they're sometimes frustratingly ineffective on stains. They're compostable, and packaged in unbleached cotton bags, which just sends the smugness factor through the roof. (Though mind you, I don't know if the cotton is organically farmed. Damn.)

In the Mythical Golden Future When I Am Organised, I'm going to do some targeted "stain" washes, and test to find out what product works best on what. Ha ha. Wish me luck.