Irish households have been urged to change what washing-up liquid they purchase in 2025.
The vast majority of washing-up liquid is sold in plastic bottles with millions purchased every year.
However, most of these bottles don’t get recycled with Ecover revealing that less than half of plastic bottles made for household items were collected for recycling and just 7% of those collected were actually recycled.
A whopping 12.7M tonnes of plastic bottles end up in the sea each year with each bottle having a massive impact on sea life.
To combat this waste, Ecover is urging households to buy refillable bottles instead of the usual plastic.
Ecover said: “In 2016, less than half of all plastic bottles were collected for recycling and only 7% of those were turned into new bottles.
“The resulting impact on waterways and marine life is, to put it bluntly, horrifying – with an estimated 12.7 million tonnes ending up in oceans each year.
“Why melt a bottle to make a bottle, when you’ve already got a bottle? Does seem kinda crazy when you say it out loud. But where to start with that reusable plastic bottle?
“Be it washing-up liquid, laundry detergent or loo cleaner, you can refill it at one of over 700 Ecover refill stations. Find them at your local health food store, zero waste shop or some bigger supermarkets.”
For those who buy the big brands such as Fairy, the brand sells a refill carton for its plastic bottles which allows you to refill a standard Fairy liquid bottle “more than twice.”
Fairy says: “Fairy Max Power antibacterial washing up liquid refill carton allows you to refill your 370ml upside-down bottle more than twice and helps you to save up to 85% of the plastic. The refill is recyclable.
“The Max Power bottle with no flip cap gives you Fairy’s ultimately convenient cleaning experience. It helps you get out of the kitchen faster by making washing dishes fast and easy.”
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