Is bleach biodegradable? (9 ways to use bleach sustainably) 

The article will talk about the biodegradability of bleach. Other topics covered would include:

• How long does bleach take to degrade?
• Is bleach harmful to be used?
• What is the sustainable way to use bleach?
• What is the best way to dispose of bleach?
• How to dispose of bleach bottles?
• How bleach affects plants?
• What is eco-friendly bleach?

Is bleach biodegradable?

Bleach can be considered biodegradable once it loses its potency because otherwise, it will kill the microbes that biodegradable it. Bleach may degrade in about 20 days. Bleach is a biocide and is used mainly for cleaning purposes. 

Care needs to be taken while using and disposing of bleach as unhealthy amounts may lead to plant damage and harm to the water treatment facilities. 

The best way to dispose of bleach is to properly use it and we must ensure dilution so that the severity may be divided. Based on the literature, oxygen bleach was considered to be an eco-friendly bleach. 

How long does bleach take to biodegrade?

As a one-liner answer, yes, bleach is biodegradable. However, the answer to the question is a lot more technical than it may seem. 

To really get to the crux of the matter, we have to understand both biodegradation and bleach discreetly and then converge at the end. 

Biodegradation is the breakdown of materials that are caused by microbes. These microbes may include bacteria, fungi, algae, viruses, or even decomposers. 

Now, coming to the topic of bleach. Bleach is a biocide which means that it is a material that is intended to kill microbes and that is why it is mainly used for cleaning purposes. Since bleach is effective and cheap, it has become every household’s necessity in today’s time.

Bleach is mostly made from sodium hypochlorite along with:

• Sodium hydroxide 
• Hydrogen peroxide 
• Calcium hypochlorite 

As regards the convergence, you may find it rather dichotomous how can something which can kill microbes be ingested, processed or broken down by those microbes? The basic answer is time. 

With time, bleach loses its potency and after a particular time (usually after 5-8 months) it is weak enough to be processed by the microbes leaving final products such as oxygen or chlorates. However, it may be commented that this duration is far more than what the definition of biodegradation tells (which is 180 days). 

Once the bleach loses its potency, it can degrade readily (around 20 days) by the action of microbes into oxygen and salt water. 

What is the sustainable way of using bleach? (9 ways) 

Bleach is not like your everyday product. It can become very dangerous and therefore, it is imperative that bleach should be used with due care and attention. For the right use of bleach, consider the following points:

• Always use bleach while wearing hand gloves and preferably a face mask 
• Be careful of the quantities. It is essential to use the right amount of bleach; otherwise, there can be negative repercussions. 
• If you want to dispose of it in drains, be sure to dilute it well. This way, it will lose its potency to harm life. 
• Keep out of the reach of children
• Store bleach in good quality HDPE or glass bottles 
• Always read instructions when using bleach 
• Never dispose of bleach in your garden or backyard since bleach is a biocide and it can kill both the plants and the microbes that are essential for the health and vitality of plants 
• Avoid the use of concentrated bleach as it can lead to complications such as skin allergies, skin irritations, ruining of surfaces, and damage to the clothes
• Do not dispose of bleach in water bodies as it can be toxic for the life in those water bodies such as fish and aquatic plants 

What is the best way to dispose of bleach?

The best way to dispose of bleach is to use it fully. This is because when bleach is used, it will be diluted. Concentrated bleach, on the other hand, will cause havoc wherever it goes. 

Therefore, you need to ensure that you have used bleach completely to ensure its dilution. Bleach usually expires in about a year, therefore, you have a good window to use it. 

If you do not plan to use it, you can also donate or give it to someone else. This way, you will ensure that bleach is properly used so that both the resources are saved and also the environment. 

However, if you are adamant about disposing it of, you have to ensure that you have meticulously diluted it. This is extremely important. 

What types of bottles are bleach kept in and what do once you empty those bottles?

Bleach is usually kept in two types of bottles made from two different types of material. These are: 

• HDPE 
• Glass bottles 

Both these types are recommended for the safe storage of bleach. The next important question is what can be done with these bottles once they are used. As per studies, there are majorly two options available:

• Repurposing the bottles
• Recycling the bottles 

Repurpose 

Repurpose is meant that the bottles may be washed properly and can be used for a variety of other uses too including storing detergents. However, be careful not to store sensitive material in it such as food items. 

Recycle 

The HDPE and glass bottles can also be recycled, you can do that by dropping the bottles in the nearest recycling facility or having a pick-up scheduled. However, be sure to wash and properly rinse the bottles so that no one is put at risk.

How does bleach affect the plants?

Yes, there are certain and definite effects of bleach on the soil and on the plants and that is the main reason why it is recommended to not use bleach or dispose of it on or around the plants. 

Bleach contains harmful amounts of chlorine and therefore, has the potency to act as a biocide for plants and soil. Also, it is emphasized that bleach may also introduce dioxins in the soil which will directly affect the life-holding capacity of the soil. 

Further, if bleach comes in contact with parts of the plants, this will result in discolouration and wilting. Therefore, it is least recommended to throw bleach in your garden as a way to dispose of it. 

Is there anything like eco-friendly bleach?

Yes, there are some options that we can depend upon if we are looking for eco-friendly bleach. There are certain determinants that will decide if bleach is eco-friendly or not. These variables are: 

• How chemical-free it is 
• How green is the production process
• How green is the packaging of the bleach 

Considering these points, it can be stanced that oxygen bleach is deemed to be the most eco-friendly bleach since it depends less on the chemicals and relies more on eco-friendly variables such as recycled packaging and green production process. 

Conclusion 

It is concluded that bleach can be considered biodegradable once it loses its potency because otherwise, it will kill the microbes that biodegradable it. Bleach may degrade in about 20 days. Bleach is a biocide and is used mainly for cleaning purposes. 

Care needs to be taken while using and disposing of bleach as unhealthy amounts may lead to plant damage and harm to the water treatment facilities. 

The best way to dispose of bleach is to properly use it and we must ensure dilution so that the severity may be divided. Based on the literature, oxygen bleach was considered to be an eco-friendly bleach. 

References

Conserve Energy Future. Is bleach biodegradable? Retrieved from: https://www.conserve-energy-future.com/is-bleach-biodegradable.php#Is_There_Eco-Friendly_Bleach

Siegle, Lucy. (August 12, 2007). Do I have to give up bleach to go green? Retrieved from: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2007/aug/12/ethicalliving.lifeandhealth

Sustainability of bleach. Retrieved from: https://www.superiorchattanooga.com/sustainability-of-bleach