The Limits of Eco-Consumerism: With Virus, Some Cleaning Needs Bleach
As the pandemic progresses, even environmentally conscious shoppers choose petrochemicals over plant-based cleansers.
Customers emptied shelves in the bleach and cleaning supply isle on March 13 at Shop Rite Supermarket in Millburn, NJ.
Photographer: Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesJust before the British government announced a nationwide lockdown, Lucy Dargahi found herself browsing the shelves of her local corner shop in West London. Like many of her fellow shoppers, she was thinking about cleaning.
The 28-year-old usually buys plant-based household cleaners from Method Products Inc. But with the novel coranavirus spreading around London, she picked up a bottle of Advanced Power Kitchen with “power foam” from Mr. Muscle, a brand owned by Windex-maker SC Johnson Inc. and sold in the U.K. since 1974. The product promises to kill 99.99% of viruses and bacteria. Its strongest ecological credential is encouraging shoppers to buy refills.