Bio-D

Bio-D is an independant, family owned, ethically motivated company, dedicated to promoting the use of hypoallergenic and environmentally friendly detergents that have minimal impact on the eco-system through both their use and manufacturing process. Wherever possible, all raw materials are plant derived, and come from renewable and sustainable resources.

They operate a strict policy whereby no raw materials or finished products are tested on animals, having a strict cut off date of 1988. All raw materials are free from GM ingredients, and are subject to scrutiny and approval by The Vegan Society, Naturewatch Trust, BUAV and The World Wildlife Foundation. All bottles, containers and packaging contains optimum levels of recycled materials, and can be recycled themselves.

Many ingredients in conventional household cleaning products are known to have detrimental effects on the environment. A passage from a research booklet "Water Quality in Catchment Ecosystems" by A. M. Gower reads "...of the pharmaceutical products, detergents, cosmetics and other similar domestic products and their metabolites (ingredients), greater quantities are discharged into sewers from domestic premises, than from the premises manufacturing them." In other words, domestic refuse pollution is causing more damage than the industries that manufacture the products.

Bio-D's Aim:

"We believe it is possible to have effective natural and safe cleaning products, that dont cost the earth. To prove this, we have developed out range of natural, biodegradable household products that are ethically sound, safe to use, and have minimal environmental impact on our planet. Domestic pollution causes more damage to the environment than industrial pollution. Many cleaners containing conventional ingredients have damaging effects on the environment and humans. We are committed to the use of ingredients that are purely the best and safest for all of us. Wherever possible our raw materials are from renewable sources, have not been tested on animals, and have no animal by products. Our packaging is recyclable and manufactured to contain effective levels of recycled material. To further reinforce our belief in the use of natural ingredients, all of our products are allergy tested. You have nothing to lose, the earth has everything to gain. Thank you."

Ingredients Not Used In Our Products

Based on well documented findings in Canada, USA, Belgium, Scandinavia and other parts of Western Europe, we do NOT use any of the following ingredients:

Phosphates: Used as water softeners and to improve cleaning, they can stimulate excessive growth of algae in the receiving waters. These algae often grow in such great numbers that the water becomes starved of oxygen, killing fish and plant life. This condition is known as eutrophication, and exists in Lake Erie, North America, which is practically devoid of all marine life.

E.D.T.A (Ethylene-Diamine-Tetra-acetic Acid): This is sometimes used as a substitute for, but also in addition to, phosphates. It is a sequestering agent that attract heavy metals such as Lead and Mercury, both of which have known carcinogenic properties. These heavy metals can eventually find their way back into the water supplies and are extremely difficult to remove completely.

Enzymes: Enzymes are present in all living organisms. They can and do cause severe skin irritations and asthmatic attacks. In the manufacturing process, enzymes can be genetically engineered and have been known to cause pulmonary haemorrhaging.

Optical Brighteners: Used in laundry products to give an illusion of 'whiteness', they attached themselves to fabric to reflect 'white light'. Clothes only appear cleaner. Optical brighteners are extremely difficult to biodegrade and can cause severe skin irritation. They can also cause mutations to microorganisms in receiving waters.

Chlorine Bleaches: These are contained in conventional toilet cleaners, sanitizers, nappy powders, washing powders, and dishwasher detrgents. During the breakdown of these types of bleach (which are akin to the banned pesticide DDT, Cyanic Acid and other gases used in chemical warfare) carcinogenic, toxic substances are formed.

Petroleum-derived Additives: Most conventional household cleaners contain petroleum-derived additives and detergents. These often break down incompletely and contain toxic impurities that are highly irritant, cause allergic reactions and are endangering to plant and animal life.

In addition to the ingredients listed above, the following ingredients are found in the majority of conventional, propriety brands of soaps, toiletries and cosmetics.

Chemical Plasticisers: Added to soaps to make them more malleable and easier to machine mould.

Formaldehyde: Traditionally used to preserve corpses, formaldehyde is used to prolong the life of many conventional products.

Glycerin or Glycerine: Unless specifically stated that it is from a vegetable source, glycerin or glycerine will be obtained from the rendered carcasses of dead animals.

Lanolin: Extracted from the processed wool from both dead and live animals.

Sodium Tallowate: Made from water, caustic soda and the rendered fat from dead animals.

Synthetic Dyes: Make finished products more visually appealing.

Synthetic Perfumes: Cheap substitutes for natural oils and essences.

Titanium Dioxide: A colouring agent that enhances the opacity of products to make them look uniformly clearer. Causes pollution in the Humber Estuary.

For more information on particular products, please visit our Eco Cleaning Products.