A Waterless Washer? Really?!?
When one washer door closes, another opens... Just when California and the Southwest as a whole is facing a massive water shortage a "Polymer-based cleaning company Xeros and Cambridge Consultants have developed what they say is the world's first 'virtually waterless' laundry washing machine prototype."
The article posted in Greenbang says that it uses reusable nylon polymer beads. The beads clean cloths faster using far less water and electricity.(saves 90% of water!) Read the whole write up here.
What is impressive is that the creators already commissioned a Life Cycle Assessment on the product. While current products are holding back on such an intensive look at a product's impact on the environment, this group made an LCA a front end part of the product design process. Kudos! With an LCA they are able to prove that their machine has a far smaller carbon footprint than a traditional washer.
This is a great example of the new market and how buyers and sellers must work together. Buyers of this machine will be predominately women. Sellers/Makers of this machine (and other machines to come) will be mainly men. By respecting each others contribution to the eco-mix, the market will turn green much faster.
Does anyone else have a consumer product that's been through a Life Cycle Assessment? Let me know. I'll be happy to review it.
A good effort to save water and give the best results as well as worth value of water.
Posted by: Dentists in Bradford | June 20, 2009 at 01:06 AM
Is that old saying about if it sounds to good to be true it probably is still around? My concern as a mother is what the heck are the beads going to leave on my kid's clothes that will then sink into their skin?
The only way I've heard of to wash clothes without water has been dry cleaning and look what a chemical nightmare that is. Would love to hear more if this company can convince me this is safe.
Posted by: Taiha Wagner | June 20, 2009 at 04:14 PM
Interested to know how this work, how long the beads last, do they have to be replaced, etc.
Posted by: Jennifer Taggart, TheSmartMama | June 21, 2009 at 09:20 PM