Laundry sheets are sold as the plastic-free swap for jugs and pods. Plot twist: most are held together by a film called polyvinyl alcohol.

Quick answer: most laundry sheets use a PVA film, a synthetic polymer that dissolves in water. Whether it fully breaks down after the drain is debated. Just 7 uses a pullulan film made from fermented starch instead.

What is PVA?

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA, also PVOH) is a synthetic polymer made from petroleum-based starting materials. It dissolves in water. It's in laundry pods, dishwasher pods and most sheets.

It's not the same as the plastic in a jug. It dissolves. The argument is about what happens next.

The debate, in plain terms

• One side: dissolving isn't disappearing. A widely cited 2021 study estimated a large share of PVA passes through treatment without fully breaking down.^†
• The other side: industry groups and many brands that use PVA say it biodegrades under the right conditions.^† Brands that use it, including Earth Breeze, say their sheets don't contain microplastics.^†
• What both agree on: PVA dissolves and is generally considered low in toxicity to people. The question is how completely and how fast it breaks down in real wastewater.

Science is still arguing. We decided not to wait for the final whistle.

So is a PVA sheet plastic?

It depends on your definition. PVA is a synthetic polymer, so some call it plastic. It doesn't stay in solid bits like microplastics, so others say it isn't.

What's certain: if the list says polyvinyl alcohol, PVA or PVOH, the sheet has a synthetic polymer film.

Why we skipped PVA

Just 7 uses a pullulan film made from fermented starch.^† Pullulan is made by fermenting starch. It's the same family as dissolving breath strips.

A non-PVA film doesn't automatically mean biodegradable. We won't say plastic-free or biodegradable until independent tests back it up.^†

• Precaution. If there's real doubt, we'd rather leave it out.
• Simplicity. A pullulan film fits a short label.
• Honesty. It's easier to explain a film you can look up.

How to check your sheets

1. Look for polyvinyl alcohol, PVA, PVOH or vinyl alcohol polymer.
2. Check the help center. Some brands list more there than on the box.
3. No film listed? Ask. It goes in your washer too.

More ways to cut plastic

• Pick detergent in cardboard, not jugs.
• Wash full loads in cold water.
• Line-dry when you can (read it).
• Swap dryer sheets for wool dryer balls (read it).

FAQ

Are laundry sheets plastic-free? Not always. Most use PVA. Check the list for polyvinyl alcohol.

Does PVA cause microplastics? It dissolves rather than breaking into solid bits. The debate is whether it fully breaks down in wastewater.

Is PVA toxic? It's generally considered low in toxicity to people. The concerns are mainly environmental.

Is Just 7 PVA-free? Yes. It uses a pullulan film made from fermented starch.^†

Is Just 7 biodegradable? That's our goal, and we're having it tested. We'll share results before we make the claim.