In Massachusetts I have seen a green laundry detergent for sale called Global Balance.  It has a couple of interesting features.

The somewhat plain looking container it comes in is made from 50% post-consumer plastic.

It is manufactured in Massachusetts so if you live in Massachusetts, presumably you are 'buying local'.

It is significantly less expensive than the competition.

Has anyone outside of Massachusetts seen it?  If so, it might be worth Sarah taking a look at it.

-Jay

I was curious how TJ's does against these. Not that I'm going to change ... it has a neutral lavender scent only during the wash and gets my clothes clean.

Thanks Sarah. I notice that all the detergents tested are liquid. Any plans to test the "green" powder ones?

I always assumed powder detergents were greener--less packaging, less bulk.  Is this wrong?

I can't comment on if powder is greener or not but two things apply to our situation:

 Local recycling is horrendous and we can recycle #1 and #2 plastics easier than non-corrugated cardboard.

 We're on a septic system and recently had to have the tank pumped (earlier than expected given our household and septic tank sizes) because of a clog created by powder dishwasher and laundry detergents, which are not septic friendly.  It doesn't matter how hot the water is; the powder doesn't dissolve completely.  I imagine city sewage treatment plants have some mechanism for dealing with undissolved powder residue, but on the other hand, using liquid might ease the burden on them, too.

I have no idea what the difference is between the manufacture of liquid versus powder detergents.

We use the BioKleen concentrate liquid detergent that we got in a five gallon tub from Azure Standard and, at one ounce per use, will probably last close to five years lol.  I've noticed that it doesn't remove greasy stains that well even with pre-treating.  So on greasy stains I pre-treat with plain old Dr. Bronner's soap before laundering.

Huh.

I just use a couple tablespoons of Super Washing Soda (basically baking soda on steroids), and maybe a few tablespoons of Borax (especially for whites).  Vastly cheaper than the above-mentioned stuff, vastly fewer chemicals, and it works just as well.  Fabric softener?  Get a Downey ball and put some vinegar in it.  Works a treat and will not (I swear) make your clothes smell like vinegar.  This stuff might not get all of the above stains out, but from the results of the testing, I'd say it does just about the same job as the expensive cleaners.

Though I can't claim it will get the dreaded blueberry stains out! They work really good! I have really sensitive skin and since using them I no longer get the rash that I normally have on my chest. They are grand! Plus you can put in a little drop of your own essential oil sent. Oh and it's true, you don't need fabric softner.

I love nuts!

Just have to add that it is of course naive to say that anything, including this laundry cleaner made of nuts, contains NO(!) chemicals.  And of course once the word "saponin" enters in, we're back in the wonderful world of chemicals.  Contrary to the company's website, it is also incorrect to claim that this tree is unique in its production of saponins.  Saponins are abundant throughout the plant world, from the bitter coating on quinoa to the root Chlorogalum pomeridianum, which was used by Native Americans to kill fish (all the better to catch them).  
I use Trader Joe's "Next to Godliness" brand of powdered detergent, in a front-loader.  At 1/8 cup per load, seems like it's maybe a bit moot, and for everyday laundry, it does a great job.  

Clean credentials...Natural, Nontoxic, Biodegradable surfactants, Concentrated, Hypoallergenic, No phosphates, No chlorine bleach. The Liquid doubles as a spotter and works great!
The set of laundry products include dryer sheets of recyclable paper, fabric softener, and a booster and stain remover.

I spilled an entire glass of red wine on a dress last summer.  Figuring it was probably a lost cause anyway, I chucked in in the wash with other clothes and Biokleen power and cold water washed it, no pretreating or anything.  The entire stain came out.  I'll never use anything else.  

I was excited to see this question, because I was thinking about asking Umbra this very question--only my interest is not which "green" detergent is best at getting stains out, but which is acceptable to use with a recycled-greywater system. I plan to collect rainwater for washing at the house we are about to build, and run all the greywater through a filter, then on to a mini pond for clarification, and then use it in my garden. Which laundry and dish detergents (and shampoos and hand soaps) are okay for that?
I decided it was time to start experimenting and I tried Ecover Ultra. I used half the recommended amount--as is my usual practice--and it got the clothes clean enough but the scent is horrible, worse than conventional brands. It's supposed to be lavender, which should be pleasant, but citrus is also listed in the ingredients--I suspect the combination is unfortunate. I will cut the dose even more to try to reduce the offensive smell, thus it will take a while to use up, but then I will try the brand Umbra recommends.

The only thing I know of that removes berry and pomegranate stains is spot treatment with hot water-as hot as you can get it.  I wouldn't count on any detergent to do the job without help.

Was hoping to see Shaklees Get Clean laundry detergent in the mix?!
It's great with the Basic H base and the company behind it is doing amazing things!!!

Grist always overlooks the leaders.  I have no vested interest in this product line, but when testing the power of a earth friendly cleaner - never under estimate the 50 years of Amway's doing so.  Their SA8 is the best by far and comes with a 180 day money back guarantee.  Doubtful any other performs to this level with that strong of a guarantee.

I was sick of lugging heavy detergent up and down my dorm stairs.  I recently tried the GreenWash Ball it's amazing! My clothes came out clean and bright!  Check it out- a great alternative to detergent.