3 J.K. Morse, J.N. Lester and R. Perry, The Economic and Environmental Impact of Phosphorus Removal from Wastewater in the European Community, 1993. The water authority of Stockholm recently commissioned a study to evaluate the impact of several types of detergents on water treatment and the environment. The use of phosphate based products means lower discharge of organic material, which directly influences the amount of oxygen necessary for its degradation. Finally, as for ecotoxicity towards micro-organisms, phosphate based products again are presented as the least damaging. Farmers in several countries spread sewage sludge on their fields as a nutrient source.
Techniques are now available which allow the utilisation of phosphates recovered from wastewaters.
The production of detergents containing recycled phosphate is within reach. It will then be not only the most efficient, the least expensive and the most environmentally friendly detergent, it will also be the most sustainable way to wash laundry.