Greener Living
New York City Is Considering a Laundry Pods Crackdown
Laundry and dishwasher detergent pods made with polyvinyl alcohol, or PVA, contribute to plastics pollution in US waterways.
While detergent pods and sheets “dissolve” in the wash, polyvinyl alcohol is ultimately a type of plastic.
Photographer: Daniel Acker/Bloomberg
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New York City is considering limiting the types of laundry and dishwashing detergents available in the five boroughs. City Council Member James Gennaro, a Democrat, introduced a bill on Thursday that would make it illegal to sell or distribute detergent pods or laundry sheets that contain polyvinyl alcohol, also known as PVA or PVOH. If approved, the bill would take effect on Jan. 1, 2026.