DCist: Virginia to Ban Phosphates in 2010

downtown rez

Sun, 20 Apr 2008 10:54:22 -0500

Phosphate free detergents have been commercially available for decades. Their formulas are not rocket science, nor are they necessarily more expensive to produce or buy. In fact, many higher priced name brands actually contain more phosphate rather than less. The lobbying association's objections are about protecting the market share of the large, established, high volume companies who need to consider the costs associated with reformulating- costs of changing materials, supply, and manufacturing processes. The lobbying association was relatively upfront about this part- what they're not saying is that phosphate's been widely recognized for the last half-century as a major pollutant. In light of that, it's hard to see how their continued foot-dragging equates to "support". Closer to the truth is that, after fighting regulation and sound environmental business practices for decades, they're apparently now (reluctantly) resigned.

James_Shelton32

Sun, 20 Apr 2008 01:37:30 -0500

In response to the soap industry, there are already many detergents that are phosphate free like the ones that I use today. They don't need any time to reformulate. There was already some sort of Ban on Phosphorous in VA 1988. If we just pass the law now they would have a product out pronto. There are delaying hoping that they can change lawmakers minds or the public will forget in three years. The picture of the 18 year old model who is so passionate about her tide is obviously put there by the soap industry too. So don't be duped. Write your deletegates and don't be duped into not voting. By electing responsive leaders we can all win against the few who want to make more money for billionaires at the expense of the public.

IMGoph

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 21:59:11 -0500

brian, i'm sure sommer would have appreciated it if you spelled her name right. if you take one letter out of her name, you change the entire spelling. imgoph is proud to make fun of lawmakers and public officials throught the mid-atlantic with ridiculous, snarky comments like this one right here. sincerely, imgoph vp - the commenters dcist.com

blittle

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 16:51:24 -0500

Well, Brian, if you ever do succeed in pushing this legislation through DC you are going to have to tear my bottle of Cascade from my cold, dead hands. mmm. runoff pollution. mmmmm. decades of tv watching. mmm.

BSansoni

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 16:39:24 -0500

We here at The Soap and Detergent Association (yes, there is such a place) wanted to respectfully set the record straight on our support of the legislation banning the use of phosphates in consumer auto-dish detergents. There are indeed non-phosphate auto-dish detergents available today. But they represent a miniscule amount of the overall auto-dish detergents that are currently available in the marketplace. SDA has successfully advocated for a uniform implementation of the phosphate ban - by July 2010 - in a number of states. This target date provides the necessary time for companies to reformulate their products without phosphates and ensure product availability throughout the supply chain. You don't just snap your fingers and instantly change the formula of a product. If you change one ingredient, you change the entire formulation. So, we hope Somer would perhaps be a tad more eloquent in her assessment of our position. SDA is proud to work with lawmakers and public officials throughout the Mid-Atlantic on thoughtful, solution-oriented legislation like what was passed in Virginia. Sincerely, Brian Sansoni VP - Communication The Soap and Detergent Association

Politburo

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 15:01:23 -0500

There's an association for everything. Hooray for lobbying.

boondoggle

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 14:54:37 -0500

In Russia, soap washes you!

OldPosterKnownAsCranky

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 14:53:01 -0500

The Soap and Detergent Association??? Really?

monkeyrotica

Tue, 11 Mar 2008 14:40:28 -0500

I wash my clothes in Tide. Know why? Because it's too damn cold out-Tide. Take that, Chesapeake Bay!