Home cleaning products that contain phosphates could be banned under new proposals launched by the European Union (EU).
The European Commission has proposed new legislation that would outlaw the use of cleaning product containing the chemical, which can build up in water supplies and increase the amount of nutrients to an unsustainable level.
An increase in nutrients causes algae to grow rapidly, causing significant damage to other aquatic wildlife and disrupting the ecosystem.
Phosphates are found in a variety of home cleaning products including laundry detergents. Officials said however, that the ban would not affect detergents for dishwashers as economically viable alternatives are not yet available throughout the EU.
European Commission vice-president Antonio Tajani, commissioner for industry and entrepreneurship, said: "The commission's proposal to ban phosphates in laundry detergents will ensure that European citizens benefit from an increased water quality of their lakes, rivers and marine waters while keeping European companies at the forefront of this sector."
Typical Guttridge equipment used in the recycling industry includes; elevators – bucket elevators – valves
