Detergent Manufacturers in Australia Face Campaign To Remove Phosphate From Their Products

Australian environmentalist Jon Dee, via his organization Do Something!, plans to launch a countrywide campaign calling on retailers Coles and Woolworths to prompt manufacturers Unilever and Reckitt Benckiser to reduce the phosphate content of their laundry powders and dishwasher tablets. Popular detergent brands being sold in Australia contain high levels of phosphate, which is being removed from detergents in markets overseas due to their negative impact on waterways, such as promotion of algal blooms. The U.S. and the European Union have announced policies for stricter control of phosphate in detergent products. Phosphate, which helps break down dirt, is regulated through the Phosphorus Standard managed by the ACCORD industry group that counts Unilever, Colgate, and Reckitt Benckiser as members.