Bio-based household cleaning productsBio-based products are mainly made from renewable matter – ‘biomass’.
It is now possible to buy bio-based versions of most types of household cleaning products.
In these products fossil-based ingredients are replaced with ingredients like plant oils and enzymes.
This slideshow presents the outcomes of the first BioCannDo case study, conducted in Germany, about “Bio-based household cleaning products”, which consists of consumer focus groups and interviews with industry representatives.
Full reporting is available in D5.4 – Case Study #1 produced by the BioCannDo project.
In these products fossil-based ingredients are replaced with ingredients like plant oils and enzymes.
This slideshow presents the outcomes of the first BioCannDo case study, conducted in Germany, about “Bio-based household cleaning products”, which consists of consumer focus groups and interviews with industry representatives.
Full reporting is available in D5.4 – Case Study #1 produced by the BioCannDo project.
Defining bio-based
Defining products as bio-based is not always easy. Technically any cleaning product that contains an ingredient derived from biomass could be considered bio-based.
But many cleaning products contain at least some ingredients made from renewable matter, so how do we decide which ones are 'bio-based'?
Bio-based cleaning products are generally considered to be those mainly produced from biomass.
For example, surfactants in all-purpose cleaners have to be produced from at least 50% renewable resources to be awarded a Blue Angel environmental label.
Products certified with the Ecocert label have to be made from at least 95% natural ingredients.
But many cleaning products contain at least some ingredients made from renewable matter, so how do we decide which ones are 'bio-based'?
Bio-based cleaning products are generally considered to be those mainly produced from biomass.
For example, surfactants in all-purpose cleaners have to be produced from at least 50% renewable resources to be awarded a Blue Angel environmental label.
Products certified with the Ecocert label have to be made from at least 95% natural ingredients.
The BioCannDo case study
The information in this slideshow comes from the first BioCannDo case study. Two consumer focus groups and interviews with industry representatives were conducted in Germany.
In the focus groups, consumers discussed their choices and preferences with regards to household cleaners, and the concept of bio-based products.
Four representatives of the industry shared their opinions on bio-based cleaning products. Three of them were from companies that produce bio-based cleaners; the fourth was a representative of an industry branch
In the focus groups, consumers discussed their choices and preferences with regards to household cleaners, and the concept of bio-based products.
Four representatives of the industry shared their opinions on bio-based cleaning products. Three of them were from companies that produce bio-based cleaners; the fourth was a representative of an industry branch
Consumers views of bio-based cleaners
The consumers understood that bio-based products are meant to use fewer fossil resources than other products. Some also assumed that bio-based cleaners contain fewer chemicals.
Transparency and traceability of ingredients was also expected from bio-based products.
They also considered bio-based cleaners to be more environmentally friendly, sustainable and biodegradable, and better for their skin compared to other products.
Transparency and traceability of ingredients was also expected from bio-based products.
They also considered bio-based cleaners to be more environmentally friendly, sustainable and biodegradable, and better for their skin compared to other products.
My expectation would be...
... that bio-based cleaning products minimize the use of crude oil while pertaining the same performance as traditional products.
- Male, above 50
- Male, above 50
I do think that...
bio-based products are generally speaking more degradable.
- Female, below 30
- Female, below 30
I expect...
... a bio-based product to be better for the environment.
- Female, below 30
- Female, below 30
I expect...
... these products to be more expensive, to clean less aggressively and perhaps also less effectively.
- Female, below 30
- Female, below 30
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My expectation would be...
... that bio-based cleaning products minimize the use of crude oil while pertaining the same performance as traditional products.
- Male, above 50
I do think that...
bio-based products are generally speaking more degradable.
- Female, below 30
I expect...
... a bio-based product to be better for the environment.
- Female, below 30
I expect...
... these products to be more expensive, to clean less aggressively and perhaps also less effectively.
- Female, below 30
Why would consumers buy bio-based cleaners?The consumers considered bio-based cleaners to be better for the environment, although they were uncertain that they lived up to that claim.
They added that they make a conscious effort to buy household cleaners that appear to be sustainable and less harmful to the environment.
Some also indicated that they buy natural, organic or 'bio' products as they expect them to be gentler on their skin – to be less likely to cause issues such as dryness and irritation.
Some also indicated that they buy natural, organic or 'bio' products as they expect them to be gentler on their skin – to be less likely to cause issues such as dryness and irritation.
I clean my toilet every day...
... so it needs to be with something that is not harming the environment.
- Female, above 50
- Female, above 50
It is important to me...
... that products are sensitive to my hands.
- Female, below 30
- Female, below 30
I hope that...
... as this ends up directly in the water, it is environmentally friendly.
- Female, below 30
- Female, below 30
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I clean my toilet every day...
... so it needs to be with something that is not harming the environment.
- Female, above 50
It is important to me...
... that products are sensitive to my hands.
- Female, below 30
I hope that...
... as this ends up directly in the water, it is environmentally friendly.
- Female, below 30
What else matters to consumers?
Consumers expect bio-based cleaners to work as well as non-bio-based products, although some members of the focus group were willing to accept a drop in performance.
Fragrance also impacted choice, but while consumers preferred products that smelled neutral or pleasant they also expected those with harsh chemical scents to offer a better cleaning performance.
Value-for-money was also a key factor guiding cleaner choice for the focus group. They said that price was important as these are items that they have to purchase regularly.
Fragrance also impacted choice, but while consumers preferred products that smelled neutral or pleasant they also expected those with harsh chemical scents to offer a better cleaning performance.
Value-for-money was also a key factor guiding cleaner choice for the focus group. They said that price was important as these are items that they have to purchase regularly.
Cleaning power
Can bio-based products really offer the same cleaning performance as non-bio-based cleaners?
In a single word, yes. But it is not that simple. These properties vary from one cleaning product – bio-based or not – to another and depend on the individual make up of each product.
With the right ingredients, it is possible for a bio-based cleaner to clean as well as a conventional one. Although some industry representatives interviewed said that currently the performance of bio-based cleaning products is often not as good as that of non-bio-based products.
In a single word, yes. But it is not that simple. These properties vary from one cleaning product – bio-based or not – to another and depend on the individual make up of each product.
With the right ingredients, it is possible for a bio-based cleaner to clean as well as a conventional one. Although some industry representatives interviewed said that currently the performance of bio-based cleaning products is often not as good as that of non-bio-based products.
Environmentally friendly?
All cleaning products have an impact on the environment and bio-based ones are not necessarily more environmentally friendly. Many are, however, certified with environmental labels that ban or restrict certain substances that are harmful to the environment and our health.
Laundry detergents often use enzymes – biological catalysts –that help reduce their environmental impact, as they lower the temperature, and therefore energy, needed to get clothes clean. Dropping your wash temperature from 40°C to 30°C, for example, cuts electricity use by around 30%.
Overall, the best way to reduce the environmental impact of any cleaning product is to use less of it, by using the lowest effective dose.
Laundry detergents often use enzymes – biological catalysts –that help reduce their environmental impact, as they lower the temperature, and therefore energy, needed to get clothes clean. Dropping your wash temperature from 40°C to 30°C, for example, cuts electricity use by around 30%.
Overall, the best way to reduce the environmental impact of any cleaning product is to use less of it, by using the lowest effective dose.
The importance of labels
While there are no obligations for manufacturers to disclose the proportion of bio-based materials in their products, environmental labels can help consumers identify bio-based products.
Important certifications for bio-based cleaning products include:
ECOCERT
Blue Angel
Ecogarantie
Labels like these require products to contain a minimum percentage of bio-based resources, and some labels even state the proportion of bio-based ingredients in the product.
But not all bio-based cleaning products will have an environmental label.
Industry representatives said that labels are a good tool for highlighting the environmental and sustainability credentials of cleaning products, but expressed concerns about the number of them and the cost of certification.
Important certifications for bio-based cleaning products include:
ECOCERT
Blue Angel
Ecogarantie
Labels like these require products to contain a minimum percentage of bio-based resources, and some labels even state the proportion of bio-based ingredients in the product.
But not all bio-based cleaning products will have an environmental label.
Industry representatives said that labels are a good tool for highlighting the environmental and sustainability credentials of cleaning products, but expressed concerns about the number of them and the cost of certification.
Consumers and environmental labels
There is a general mistrust of certification, because consumers feel that there is an overuse of labels and that producers create their own certifications.
Some consumers also questioned whether bio-based products are really ‘better’, particularly with regards to the production and transportation process, the ingredients used and their sustainability.
Some consumers also questioned whether bio-based products are really ‘better’, particularly with regards to the production and transportation process, the ingredients used and their sustainability.
The market is...
... so swamped with labels, everyone creates his own. I don’t even pay attention to labels anymore.
- Female, below 30
- Female, below 30
I do think that
... there is lots of playing fast and loose with these labels.
- Female, above 50
- Female, above 50
When it comes to certification...
... I am rather critical, there are so many different certificates.
- Female, above 50
- Female, above 50
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The market is...
... so swamped with labels, everyone creates his own. I don’t even pay attention to labels anymore.
- Female, below 30
I do think that
... there is lots of playing fast and loose with these labels.
- Female, above 50
When it comes to certification...
... I am rather critical, there are so many different certificates.
- Female, above 50
The producers’ views
Industry representatives said that while the market share of bio-based cleaning products is small, they represent a good opportunity for companies to diversify their product chain and become less reliant on fossil-based raw materials.
They also felt that there was a need to educate the public on the performance and effectiveness of bio-based products. But, they also added that third party labels can add a significant cost and administrative burden, which ultimately increases the price of products.
They also weren’t keen on using the term ‘sustainable’. A product cannot be considered sustainable purely because it is bio-based; it also needs a socially and economically responsible production chain to be considered sustainable, they explained.
They also felt that there was a need to educate the public on the performance and effectiveness of bio-based products. But, they also added that third party labels can add a significant cost and administrative burden, which ultimately increases the price of products.
They also weren’t keen on using the term ‘sustainable’. A product cannot be considered sustainable purely because it is bio-based; it also needs a socially and economically responsible production chain to be considered sustainable, they explained.
Watch the AllThings.Bio first series on bio-based consumer products
Visit the AllThings.Bio Youtube channel and learn more about bio-based consumers' products!
Credits
Produced for BioCannDo Project, in collaboration with:
iCons
FNR - Fachagentur Nachwachsende Rohstoffe e.V.
BTG - Biomass Technology Group BV
Visit the AllThings.Bio infohub:
www.allthings.bio
BioCannDo has received funding from the Bio Based Industries Joint Undertaking under the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement N° 720732.
iCons
FNR - Fachagentur Nachwachsende Rohstoffe e.V.
BTG - Biomass Technology Group BV
Visit the AllThings.Bio infohub:
www.allthings.bio
BioCannDo has received funding from the Bio Based Industries Joint Undertaking under the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement N° 720732.
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Bio-based household cleaning products
Defining bio-based
The BioCannDo case study
Consumers views of bio-based cleaners
Quotes from consumers |
Why would consumers buy bio-based cleaners?
Quotes from consumers II
What else matters to consumers?
Cleaning power
Environmentally friendly?
The importance of labels
Consumers and environmental labels
Quotes from consumers III
The producers’ views
Watch the AllThings.Bio first series on bio-based consumer products
Bio-based household cleaning products
Defining bio-based
The BioCannDo case study
Consumers views of bio-based cleaners
Quotes from consumers |
Why would consumers buy bio-based cleaners?
Quotes from consumers II
What else matters to consumers?
Cleaning power
Environmentally friendly?
The importance of labels
Consumers and environmental labels
Quotes from consumers III
The producers’ views
Watch the AllThings.Bio first series on bio-based consumer products