THE LIFE-CYCLE ENVIRONMENTAL-IMPACT OF KEY DETERGENT BUILDER SYSTEMS IN THE EU

The debate over the environmental impact of detergent builders has his torically focused on the disposal of phosphates to wastewater and the potential consequences for surface waters. This study uses the techniq ue of life-cycle analysis to review the overall environmental impact o f the use of key detergent builders in the European Union (EU). By com paring their impacts in a relative context, the environmental impact o f the major builder systems is concluded to be small, negative, and no ne can be considered to have a relative advantage or disadvantage. The most effective policy initiatives for environmental improvements are independent of detergent builder and should focus on use minimisation, the use of more efficient washing machines and effective implementati on of the Urban Wastewater Directive.