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Project
Proposal: Limiting the Use of Detergent
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Full description of problem/need |
| In rural communities,
detergents are used to clean clothes.
About a hundred years ago, a fruit called
reetha was used with water to make lather,
and this was used to clean the community's
clothes. Although the reetha grows all
around Pabal (so the fruit is effectively
free), detergent was chosen preferentially
because it was viewed to be more effective.
As there is no organized sewage system
in Pabal, used silage is poured onto
the street, which affects the local
ecosystems. This detergent then percolates
through the relatively thin top soil
to the underlying igneous rocks. As
the impermeable rocks have a very
poor carrying capacity of water, the
area has a very low water table. The
detergents are thus retained in the
water table and are present in the
village's well water supply. This
can be seen to be very damaging to
the local population's health.
Therefore the development of a biodegradable
or natural detergent or perhaps a
detergent-free washing method would
protect the local ecosystem and would
improve the community's water supply.
 Reetha
fruit
The process of using reetha fruit
as a detergent, using water and rubbing
of hands.
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| How will the local community use the
proposed solution? |
A cheaper or equally-priced
alternative to detergent, which is still
as effective, is required. It must be
usable in cold water (10 to 15 oC),
as hot water is not used to wash clothes
due to its wrinkling effects. However,
hot water is available (especially if
the rooftop water-heating project is
implemented). So, a solution can be
based on hot water washing if necessary.
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| Estimate of the economic
benefit anticipated and plans for training
of the local community? What are the
major impacts on such a project? |
| The community's health
will be improved as a result of less
detergent polluting the water supply.
This will in turn improve the economic
status of the community, as visits to
the doctor and expensive prescription
medication will be reduced. At present,
40 - 50% of a household's expenditure
is on doctor's bills or on medicine.
The NGO in the area, Vigyan Ashram,
could implement the solution and then
market it to the population.
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| Full description of the local situation
(e.g. social, economic, geographical,
political) |
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Clothes are washed in a cold water
bucket (10 to 15 oC) with detergent.
They are soaked for 2-3 hours and
then scrubbed to remove any stains.
They are then immersed in more cold
(detergent-free) water, then wrung
out and left to dry. The drying times
are two hours in dry conditions and
up to two days in humid conditions.
The launderer in the community uses
two barrels (200 litres each) for
washing 25 shirts. He normally washes
between 25 and 100 shirts a day. Water
is free in the monsoon season but
costs 2 rupees per 15 litres between
September and May.
The shirts are mostly made from polyester
as this is easier to dry and iron.
Polyester shirts are also more durable
than cotton shirts (cotton shirts
tend to rip more easily).
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| Full description of relevant infrastructure
available locally and/or internationally |
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The reetha plant is available locally
and free of cost. Detergent costs
Rs. 10 for a bar of detergent soap
that would be able to wash about 100
shirts. Water is 2 rupees per 15 litre
from September to May and free of
cost the remainder of the year. When
water is available, those who have
plumbing in their homes may use their
running water for twenty minutes each
morning (from 6:40 to 7 am, approximately)
before the water supply is turned
off for the remainder of the day.
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