Well, that all depends. For one we’ve all heard the old, “Sponges are full of grime and icky germs” which is not entirely false. But on a much more important issue many of the sponges on the market are not a good choice for green families.
Commercial sponges contain a lot of polyurethane which comes from petroleum thus they come from a non-renewable resource. Not to mention the toxicity factor of polyurethane.- Manufacturing commercial sponges pollute the environment and later on they don’t degrade well. Our landfills will still be hanging out with your sponges years from now.
- If you use natural sponges for bathing or even cleaning that’s not eco-friendly either because natural sponges that come from our oceans are a vanishing resource.
All hope is not lost for sponge lovers. The best choice from an eco-standpoint are sponges made from wood pulp cellulose. If I buy sponges I find wood cellulose ones easily at Wild Oats and most health food stores carry them. I’ve even seen them at mainstream stores.
Some environmentalists will say that they’re not ok because of the wood used and some say it causes logging practices to continue. I don’t know for sure but… Making these cellulose sponges is a cleaner event than making polyurethane sponges. There’s less waste involved and less energy wasted overall — plus they’re not toxic!
However, tree advocates are not entirely wrong because it is wood pulp that’s used.
To be honest I don’t buy sponges all that often. I do think why use the wood if there’s no need and it’s still something to throw away when I could use a plain old rag. What you might do is go a week without a sponge and see if you miss it. Obviously this is easier if you have a dishwasher — although I’ve washed dishes by hand with old rags and my dishes were clean just the same.
By the way; Peggy over at Light Green Stairs is on this cool new green journey and her post debating paper towels vs. cloth vs. sponges inspired this post. She has a great blog so check it out.
[...] Rethink the sponge situation – many sponges aren’t that eco-friendly. Look for a good alternative. [...]
Thanks Julie
I think I’ve bought one sponge in the last 2 years. They’re sort of unnecessary.
I’m going to have to link to you now
Very nice.
[...] Are Sponges a Great Green Choice? by tree hugging family [...]
Earth Therapeutics does make some decent sponges. You know after I wrote this post I realized that I left out hemp scrubbers. They’re a good alternative and are pretty dense so good at cleaning. They last forever too.
Ok, maybe shrubs aren’t veggie matter… oops.
Thanks Jennifer for all the info! In doing a search for cellulose sponges I did come across one (for the skin) that is made with a plant based pulp, not wood. http://www.earththerapeutics.net/prodinfo.asp?number=9200
Maybe there is hope that cleaning sponges will be produced from veggie matter like shrubs soon.
Thanks for all the info Jennifer!
In searching for cellulose sponges on the Internet, I did come across some info on cellulose sponges that are made from vegetable (plant), not wood pulp. I could only find one intended for the skin http://www.earththerapeutics.net/prodinfo.asp?number=9200 at Earth Therapeutics.
There seems to have been a patent granted for making a sponge using non-woody pulp http://www.freepatentsonline.com/5435844.html but I could only find this reference to it. Hmm..
Kate you are so sweet. reading your blog lately gets me in an uproar — but in a good thinking uproar sort of way
You always post such great mama info.
Jennifer, reading your blog always makes me feel better. Thanks for sharing your boundless hope.