Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Seventh Generation offer recycled paper products?
Recycled paper products are made from other paper products, not from virgin trees. It takes less energy and water to produce recycled paper which saves energy, water, landfill space, trees, and helps prevent air and water pollution. Recycled paper helps close the loop by providing an end use for paper that is recycled in our communities.
There are two types of recycled paper:
- Pre-consumer paper is scrap paper produced at the mill. Mills have been recycling their scrap for years because it is easy and improves mill efficiency.
- Post-consumer is paper used by a consumer and returned to the recycling stream. Recovering post-consumer material is the real key to resource and energy savings and creating a more sustainable world.
All Seventh Generation paper products are made from 100% recycled paper, 80% post-consumer recycled!
Why doesn't Seventh Generation use chlorine bleach?
The waste that paper mills discharge after paper is bleached with chlorine contains thousands of chlorinated by-products, including dioxins, one of the most carcinogenic and toxic chemicals known to man. An EPA study found dioxin to be 300,000 times more potent a carcinogen than DDT, which was banned after scientists proved it was harmful to both animals and human life. Unfortunately, dioxins don't break down in the environment, and accumulate in our air, water, food, and in our bodies.
Seventh Generation uses hydrogen peroxide to whiten all paper products. For recycled paper precuts this is called PCF (Process Chlorine Free).
Why are Seventh Generation products biodegradable?
Biodegradability is the ability of a substance or material to be broken down into its fundamental parts by exposure to the natural action of elements like microorganisms, sunlight, and water. Products that are biodegradable do not accumulate in the environment. Further, their biodegradation means that they have become a nutrient to other biological processes, which is necessary for the planet Earth to be self-sustaining.
When a product does not biodegrade, it remains in the environment indefinitely. As more and more of the substance accumulates, its chemical concentration and toxic effects increase which means that a relatively safe chemical can then become a dangerous one.
What are some of the ingredients found in mainstream cleaning products that Seveneth Generation will not use?
| Ingredient | Why we won't use it | Seventh Generation substitutes |
|---|---|---|
| Phosphates | While relatively non-irritating and non-toxic, phosphates create unbalanced ecosystems, and contribute to explosive marine plant growth through a process called eutrophication. This excessive plant growth causes fish kills and reduces the recreational value of our lakes and streams. | Seventh Generation uses several other substances to replace phosphates. Citrates, gluconates, and carbonates are natural substances that serve many of the same functions as phosphates. They cost more than phosphates, but we think our lakes and streams are worth it! |
| Optical brighteners | Optical brighteners do not readily biodegrade and are toxic to fish when released into the environment. They can cause allergic reactions when they come in contact with skin and are exposed to sunlight. | The inclusion of optical brighteners does not enhance or affect cleaning performance, they simply trick the eye. Instead, we design our laundry products to clean as effectively as premium conventional brands. |
| Petroleum surfactants | In the environment, many petroleum surfactants are persistent and can remain for a long time in the soil and waterways into which they are discharged. Some have the ability to cause hormonal disruption and other illnesses in animals and in people. | Plant-based household products are natural products that are derived from vegetable oil derivatives instead of from the petroleum refining process. Our vegetable oil based products readily biodegrade (bacteria convert 60% of their carbon to carbon dioxide in 28 days). |
| Solvents | Most solvents are highly volatile, which means they easily evaporate. They are easily absorbed into the body through the lungs, where they can then show toxic effects on the neurological system, the liver, the blood, the lungs, and the kidneys. In addition they are severe eye, skin, and mucous membrane irritants. Solvent exposures can cause harm even after very short exposures. | Seventh Generation formulates its products with plant-based surfactants in a way that oils and greases are rapidly dispersed in water so harmful solvents are not needed. |
| Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) | Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) quickly evaporate into the air where they are easily absorbed into the body through the lungs. There are hundreds of VOCs capable of causing everything from neurological and organ damage to cancer. Because of their toxicity, they are a major indoor air concern. | Seventh Generation formulates its products with plant-based materials that are not volatile. The only VOCs in our products are the natural plant essential oils that we use for our fragrances. |
Where does Seventh Generation source ingredients?
Seventh Generation sources ingredients from all over the globe, always being mindful of how the ingredients are gathered, processed, and transported. Most minerals (soda ash, for example) are produced in North America. Some products are made with corn oil that is produced domestically. Most coconut oil comes from the South Pacific, including the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia. We are particularly proud of our sourcing of essential oils for our Living Scents. These oils are sourced from individual farms all over the world where we develop relationships with the growers to assure the purity of our ingredients and the protection of the Earth.
Are your ingredients sourced from suppliers that share Seventh Generation's attitudes/values/practices?
In 2006 Seventh Generation initiated a partner scorecard to determine how closely our suppliers and manufacturing partners share our attitudes, values and best practices. This created a benchmark, and goals were set for all of our partners in 2007. We are happy to report all those monitored this year have taken positive steps and achieved the goals set in 2006.
Where are your products manufactured?
We manufacture our products at co-packers who use our unique formulas, and meet our stringent quality control specifications. These facilities are located in North America to minimize our carbon footprint caused by transportation.
Since we do not own our own facilities, we benefit from the state of the art equipment and manufacturing flexibility that our manufacturing partners can provide.
Are your packages made of sustainable materials? What are you doing to reduce/remove environmental hazards from your packaging?
Laundry bottles are 25% post-consumer high density polypropylene (HDPE) plastic at this time, and we are developing bottles with significantly higher post-consumer content.
Dish and spray bottles are 25% post-consumer recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic. Again, we are working to develop bottles with higher levels of post-consumer content.
Do you make HE (High Efficiency) Laundry products?
All Seventh Generation liquid laundry products are marked with the HE symbol and can be used in all home machines and laundromats. These formulations will also work in standard "top loading" machines. Seventh Generation laundry powders are not formulated for HE machines at this time, but will be in 2008.
Still have questions?
If you still have questions, please contact us at 800-456-1191.