Are Koh sheet and tablet products free from plastic?Updated 2 days ago
TL;DR: Yes. The PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) film wrapping Loo Cleaner Tabs, Dishwashing Tablets, and Sensitive Laundry Sheets dissolves in water and biodegrades during standard wastewater treatment. Independent peer-reviewed research on detergent-grade PVA film, the same kind of film used in our wrappers, found approximately 97% removal in OECD 303A wastewater treatment simulations. PVA is widely used across cleaning products, food packaging, and pharmaceuticals.
What is PVA?
✓ A water-soluble film
PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) is a water-soluble synthetic polymer used to make dissolvable films and wrappers. On contact with water, it dissolves into the wash, leaving no visible residue.
✓ Used widely across industries
PVA has been used for decades in cleaning products, food packaging, textiles, and pharmaceuticals. The film grade used in dishwasher tablets, laundry pods, and our wrappers is specifically formulated to dissolve in normal household water temperatures.
Why we use PVA wrappers
✓ Pre-measured doses
The wrapper holds a single dose of formula. Drop it in the bowl, the dishwasher, or the drum and the wrapper dissolves during the wash. No measuring, no spills, no residue.
✓ Compact format
A wrapped tab or sheet is much smaller and lighter than the equivalent number of washes in a bottled liquid, which means smaller boxes and less weight to ship per wash.
What does the research say?
✓ OECD 303A wastewater simulation
Independent peer-reviewed research published in 2024 in the Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management journal tested detergent-grade PVA film, the same class of film used in our wrappers, against the OECD 303A wastewater treatment simulation. This is the standard method regulators use to assess how a substance is removed during normal sewage treatment.
The study found average removal of approximately 97%. Environmental modelling using the US EPA's E-FAST and the EU's EUSES exposure tools placed predicted environmental concentrations well below ecological effect thresholds.
The research applies to detergent-grade PVA film as a class. The studies were conducted on representative samples rather than Koh's specific film.
Which Koh products use PVA wrappers?
Three Koh products use PVA wrappers. Each has its own certifications, listed below.
Drop straight into the bowl, wrapper dissolves on contact with water.
Place in the dishwasher dispenser, wrapper dissolves during the cycle.
Toss directly into the drum, the sheet dissolves during the wash.
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Last reviewed: May 2026
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