Are Clorox products biodegradable? (3 common products) 

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The article will shed light on the biodegradability of Clorox products while also covering topics such as composting, recycling, and eco-friendliness. 

Are Clorox products biodegradable?

Some of the most common Clorox products include

  • Bleach 
  • Clorox products 
  • Disinfecting wipes 

It can be assumed that the majority of the products manufactured by the Clorox company are specific for cleaning purposes only. Let us assess the case of each in terms of biodegradability. 

Clorox Bleach 

Clorox bleach is made from Sodium Hypochlorite and therefore, can be given the status of being biodegradable. 

However, this does not mean that Clorox bleach is completely harmless. Large quantities will alter the natural ecosystems and will cause direct harm to plant life. 

Therefore, it is essential to make sure that Clorox bleach is used with due precautions and that the quantities are always kept in mind. 

Clorox cleaners

Clorox cleaners are considered to be biodegradable because of the materials and ingredients that make up Clorox products. One of the most common cleaner is the 409 formula multi-purpose cleaner. 

As per the official website, the following ingredients play an active and important role in the making of Clorox products 

  • Water 
  • Lauramine Oxide
  • Ethanolamine
  • Alkyl C12-16 Dimethylbenzyl Ammonium Chloride
  • Myristamine Oxide
  • Tetrapotassium EDTA
  • Ethanol
  • Fragrance

To develop a rigid stance on biodegradability, the need of the hour is to go a step beyond and explore the case of each ingredient. When that is done, the trend that is seen is that most of the ingredients are known to be readily biodegradable. 

This makes us believe that the ingredients used in Clorox products are mostly and readily biodegradable and that leads us to the conclusion that Clorox products are biodegradable. 

However, one factor that adds to the equivocality of the stance is that when the Material Safety Data Sheet is explored, it is seen that the Clorox products’ biodegradabilities are given no comment. This usually happens when there is an absence of sufficient data. 

Disinfecting wipes

The wipes are made from plant-based materials that source from nature and therefore, can return back to nature. It is also important to make sure that the Clorox disinfecting wipes do not flush down the toilet because the septic system may be clogged with them. 

It can be said that these wipes do steal the show because it is claimed that these disinfecting wipes by Clorox are not only biodegradable but also compostable. 

Are Clorox products eco-friendly? 

If we scrutinise the case of Clorox products, we see that there are two sides to the coin. There is no absolute finality sadly. 

Some factors render the Clorox products eco-friendly while others steal away this title from the Clorox products therefore, it becomes imperative that we explore the case in detail and give forward the points that render Clorox products both eco-friendly and non-eco-friendly. 

How are Clorox products eco-friendly? (5 reasons) 

Let us first explore the reason based on which Clorox products are given the status of being eco-friendly. 

  • First off we have that the cleaner is majorly made from degradable and biodegradable ingredients as it has been developed in the previous section. This means that Clorox products will not contribute to the waste problem and will also cause little problems to the waste streams and water bodies that the waste streams end at.
  • It must be commended that Clorox products are rather transparent about its ingredients so that safe and sustainable consumer choices may be made. This also gives a plus point to Clorox products.
  • The manufacturers of Clorox products also have taken a number of green steps to reduce the use of virgin plastics. Although the company is far from 100% efficient, they are on its way and this must be appreciated.

    For example, one of the goals of the manufacturers is to achieve a reduction in the use of virgin plastic by more than 50% by 2030.
  • The Clorox products are not considered to be hazardous and have minimal health impacts on life, as posited by the Material Safety Data Sheet.
  • The production facilities of Clorox products strive to be waste free and aim to achieve the status of zero landfill waste. 

How are Clorox products not eco-friendly?

Let us now explore some points that render our Clorox products not eco-friendly. The points include: 

  • Although Clorox products are made from biodegradable ingredients, the ingredients are not plant-based. Plant-based ingredients are naturally sourced and often are highly renewable. This gives other cleaners an edge over Clorox products that are made from plant-based, vegan materials.
  • The packaging that Clorox products use is not biodegradable or compostable. More than that, there is a significant use of virgin plastic which is a downside because many cleaners are actually using 100% PCR for packaging purposes.
  • As per the research findings of the Material Safety Data Sheet, there is a moderate amount of toxicity rendered on aquatic life by the use of Clorox products. This also is a downside that needs to be addressed.

Can Clorox products be recycled?

The answer is a big yes. A majority of Clorox products are made from plastic material and plastic is widely accepted for recycling. The next big question is how can the Clorox products be recycled. The answer is also fairly simple. 

This can be done or achieved through a number of steps. If there are recycling bins around, you can put empty bottles in those bins. 

You can also contact the local curbside recycling programs to schedule either a drop-off or a pick-up of the empty bottles. 

However, one thing is that you need to ensure that the bottles are cleaned and there is no contamination of any sort or else the recycling facility might be compromised. 

Can Clorox products be composted?

Although a majority of Clorox products can not be composted because they are not made from organic material, some products actually can be thrown in the compost heap. One such product is the Clorox disinfecting wipe which is made from plant-based materials. 

To have the Clorox products composted, follow some simple instructions to get there: 

  • Select a suitable and accessible place for composting
  • Make a compost heap 
  • Add the wipes along with other compostable material 
  • Be sure to make an alternate ratio of brown and green matter. To know more, explore the EPA composting website 
  • Mix and aerate the heap every week
  • The compost should be ready within a few (5-8) months 

Conclusion 

It is concluded that Clorox products are usually biodegradable but the exact case will vary subjectively. The article discussed some of the most common Clorox products that included bleach, cleaners, and disinfecting wipes. 

The article also explained and stanced on the eco-friendliness and gave points to elucidate its stance. 

Further, related aspects such as recycling and composting were also covered and ways to do so were also shed light upon. 

References

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