Did you know that nearly one billion plastic laundry jugs are dumped into landfills every single year in North America? That alone is a reason to start using zero waste laundry detergent.
Additionally, it has been found that 75% of plastics from detergent pods enter the environment.
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Fortunately, there are many great options to make your next load of laundry a zero waste and sustainable one.
Choose between laundry detergent sheets, liquid laundry detergent, and laundry strips. These laundry soaps say goodbye to the plastic bottles and nasty chemicals.
All of these laundry options are 100% plant based.
Zero Waste Laundry Detergent Options
1. Dropps
Dropps give you the same convenience of laundry pods without all of that plastic waste. Each package is shipped in compostable/recyclable packaging.
There are several different quantity options and they are available in four scents – clean & crisp, lavender eucalyptus, unscented, and orange blossom. They also have options for activewear and sensitive skin.
Note: Dropps pods are made using polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) which is non-toxic and dissolvable in any type of machine washer.
- Vegan & Cruelty-Free √
- Recyclable/Compostable Packaging √
- 100% Carbon-Neutral Shipping √
2. EcoRoots
EcoRoots offers low-impact sustainable laundry detergent strips that dislodge dirt molecules. They are ultra-concentrated, lightweight, and hypoallergenic.
Each package includes 32 sheets with each sheet equaling two loads of laundry. Each sheet is perforated to make it easy to rip into two strips.
The strips come packaged in a plastic-free compostable cardboard package.
EcoRoots comes in two options – fragrance-free and fresh breeze scent.
- Vegan & Cruelty-Free √
- Palm-Oil Free √
- Recyclable/Compostable Cardboard Packaging √
3. Ethique
Ethique’s laundry bar and stain stick work well on delicates and other special materials. However, it is not recommended for use in a washing machine.
For this reason, it is great for traveling, camping, or just hand washing items.
- Vegan & Cruelty-Free √
- Palm-Oil Free √
- B-Corp Certified company √
4. Eco Nuts
Eco Nuts organic laundry detergent is about as natural as it gets. These soap nuts are dried berries from trees in Nepal that naturally contain saponin, an all-natural cleansing agent.
To use, place a few in a bag and throw them in the wash with your laundry. They can be reused up to 10 times before being composted.
- Vegan & Cruelty-Free √
- Palm-Oil Free √
- Recyclable Packaging √
5. Meliora
Meliora offers ultra concentrated laundry cleaning powder created from 100% natural ingredients. The detergent is packaged in a recyclable or reusable steel container. You can also get refills in paper bags.
Each container is enough for 128 loads of laundry and comes in several options – lavender, lemon, unscented, and lemon, lavender, and clove.
- Vegan & Cruelty-Free √
- Recyclable Packaging √
- Palm-Oil Free √
- B-Corp Certified company √
- Woman-Owned √
6. Dr. Bronners
Dr. Bronners doesn’t sell laundry detergent specifically, but what they do sell is castile soap which is an 18-in-1. It works to replace your cleaning products, your soap, shampoo and body wash, and more.
It’s also concentrated, but it does come packaged in a plastic bottle.
Given the pros, it is still worth considering especially if you live near a store that sells bulk refills of Dr. Bronner’s.
- Vegan & Cruelty-Free √
- Palm-Oil Free √
7. Kind Laundry
Kind Laundry detergent strips are made from a plant-derived non-toxic formula.
Each package includes enough strips for 60 loads of laundry.
Keep in mind that one of the ingredients (polyglycol ether) is a common palm derivative.
- Vegan & Cruelty-Free √
- Recyclable Packaging √
8. Zero Co.
Zero Co makes laundry detergent free from toxic ingredients and packaged in a dispenser made from ocean plastic waste.
This combo package includes a 2L forever bottle (empty) and two 2L reusable refill pouches. Scent options include lemon myrtle and Australian grey gum.
- Vegan & Cruelty-Free √
- Palm-Oil Free √
- Grey Water Safe √
9. Tru Earth
TruEarth’s laundry strips are non-toxic, free of chlorine bleach, and come in plastic-free recycled paper packaging.
TruEarth laundry detergent strips come in two options – fragrance-free and fresh linen scent. Each package includes enough strips for 32 loads of laundry.
- Vegan √
- Palm-Oil Free √
- Compostable Packaging √
- Certified Hypoallergenic √
10. PUR Home
PUR Home liquid laundry detergent is another great eco-friendly option. Each bottle is 60oz of twice-concentrated liquid and they also have a refill program.
- Vegan & Cruelty-Free √
- Black and Woman-Owned √
- Zero Waste Refill Program √
11. Grove
Grove offers dye-free liquid detergent. It includes enough for 33 loads of laundry and comes in unscented and citrus & woods.
- Vegan & Cruelty-Free √
- B-Corp Certified company √
- Refill Program Available √
- Carbon Offset Shipping √
12. Ecos
Ecos offers liquid detergent, strips, and pods. Each bottle of hypoallergenic laundry detergent is enough for 100 loads of laundry.
- Vegan & Cruelty-Free √
- TRUE Platinum Zero Waste certified √
- 100% Renewable Energy Facilities √
Tips to Have a Zero Waste Laundry Routine
- Use or Make Low Impact Laundry Detergent
- Wash Less
- Hang Your Clothes to Dry
- Use Cold Water
- Avoid Micro Plastics
- Stop Using Dryer Sheets
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