Some normally law-abiding people in Spokane, WA have become dishwater detergent smugglers. Spokane County launched the nation’s strictest ban on dishwasher detergent made with phosphates last July. The ban is aimed at a reduction in water pollution and will go statewide in July 2010.
Many people complain that eco-friendly products leave their dishes dirty and greasy. Hard water is mineral-rich and resistant to soap. Phosphates help to break the minerals down.
I use an eco-friendly detergent in my Asko dishwasher and have no complaints. Maybe these individuals’ complaints are related to water quality that needs to be addressed by an in-home filtration and treatment system, so the water is soft before it enters the dishwasher.
What Makes This Trend Stand Out
- Dishwasher Detergent Alternatives
- Opportunity for companies to develop and market innovative eco-friendly dishwasher detergent alternatives that effectively clean dishes without containing phosphates.
- Home Water Softening Solutions
- Disruptive innovation opportunity for companies to develop and market home filtration and treatment systems that soften hard water and improve the effectiveness of eco-friendly dishwasher detergents.
- Resistance to Eco-friendly Regulations
- Trend of resistance to eco-friendly regulations, specifically related to household cleaning products such as dishwasher detergent, with potential implications for future environmental policies.
Sectors Adopting This
- Home Cleaning Products
- Disruptive innovation opportunity for companies in the home cleaning industry to develop and market eco-friendly dishwasher detergent alternatives and home water softening solutions.
- Water Filtration Systems
- Opportunity for companies in the water filtration industry to further develop and market filtration and treatment systems for dealing with hard water, as an alternative to traditional water softening methods.
- Environmental Policy
- Implications for companies involved in environmental policy-making, as they face resistance from consumers and industry stakeholders toward eco-friendly regulations and initiatives.
