what are pods made of

Pods, such as laundry detergent and dishwasher pods, are primarily made of a water-soluble plastic film called polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). This polymer film encases the detergent and other cleaning agents inside. PVA is a synthetic petroleum-based plastic designed to dissolve quickly and completely in water during use, releasing the contents of the pod. However, while PVA dissolves, it does not fully biodegrade in typical wastewater environments and can break down into microplastic particles that persist in the environment. The detergent inside pods consists of a blend of chemicals including surfactants, bleaches, solvents, enzymes, and other cleaning agents tailored to their specific purpose.