Is Dial soap biodegradable? (7 qualities of eco-friendly soaps)

This article covers some important questions regarding soaps in general and dial soaps in particular and will address the following topics:

The importance and biodegradability of soaps
The ingredients used in dial soaps
Biodegradability of dial soaps
Environmental impact of antibacterial dial soaps
Is Dial soap eco-friendly?
Sustainability initiatives taken by Dial
FAQs

Is Dial soap biodegradable?

Dial soap is non-biodegradable due to the fact that it contains non-natural, and synthetic chemicals that will render Dial soap not easily biodegradable.

Dial soaps contain two types of ingredients: active ingredients and inactive ingredients. The active antibacterial ingredient is benzalkonium chloride which can kill a wide range of bacteria. It is present in 0.10% quantity.

While other inactive ingredients are soap (sodium palm kernelate, sodium tallowate, sodium cocoate, and sodium palmate), water, glycerin, para farm (fragrance), tallow acid, palm acid, PEG-6 methyl ether, tetrasodium etidronate, pentasodium pentetate, and Cl 77891.

In comparison to organic soap bars, dial soap bars contain synthetic harmful chemical ingredients which will have some impact on the environment. One uses soap for a cleansing purpose not to disturb the environment. It is way better to use the organic soap bar which will not affect the environment.

What type of soap is not biodegradable?

Soap is an important household item. It is essential for daily cleansing chores like bathing and hand washing. Soaps are used to kill bacteria and other germs present on the hand and body. Biodegradable means that a product should be made up of such ingredients which can be degraded by the action of bacteria.

A bar of biodegradable soap should be capable of degradation after use. Conventional soaps are made up of three simple ingredients including oils, water and a base (sodium hydro-oxide or potassium hydro-oxide).

These all ingredients are found in nature so they are biodegradable. After performing their function 90% of the ingredients should be degraded when entering a water body then they will be considered biodegradable.

Soaps which contain other ingredients along with natural ingredients are considered non-biodegradable which includes triclocarban and triclosan. These ingredients have antibacterial properties. Any soap containing these ingredients is non-biodegradable.

What is Dial soap and is it different from other antibacterial soaps?

Dial soap aims to kill 99.99% of bacteria present on your hands and body. Dial soap contains an approved active antibacterial ingredient named Benzalkonium chloride along with other natural ingredients. This ingredient is capable of killing a broad spectrum of bacteria. It has been in use for the last 50 years.

Dial soaps are formulated to kill bacteria either good or bad present on your hands which are not normally found on the skin. Benzalkonium chloride is a synthetic compound. It is not biodegradable. When this ingredient enters into a water body it disturbs aquatic life and is lethal for them.

Other antibacterial soaps such as safeguard antibacterial soap bars contain triclocarban as an active ingredient while Dettol uses chloroxylenol as an active ingredient against bacteria. There is no big difference between the dial antibacterial soap bar and other brands.

Does dial soap have natural ingredients?

While other inactive ingredients are soap (sodium palm kernelate, sodium tallowate, sodium cocoate, and sodium palmate), water, glycerin, parafarm (fragrance), tallow acid, palm acid, PEG-6 methyl ether, tetrasodium etidronate, pentasodium pentetate, and Cl 77891.

Dial soap contains one or more of these inactive ingredients. Benzalkonium chloride is a synthetic compound. Inactive ingredients are mostly naturally occurring chemicals. They are present in minor quantities. Dial soap bars come in different flavours and fragrances so the ingredient composition may vary.

Is dial soap biodegradable?

A soap which can be degraded naturally by about 90% will be considered biodegradable. We have already discussed the ingredient composition of dial soap. It consists of non-biodegradable benzalkonium chloride synthetic chemical ingredients and other natural ingredients.

Well, now it depends upon the concentration of this synthetic compound present in a soap bar. If it exceeds the limit provided by EPA it will be harmful to aquatic life and ultimately the soap bar will be considered non-biodegradable.

According to EPA the maximum limit to use benzalkonium chloride in an antibacterial soap bar is 0.13%. Dial soap bars contain 0.10% of benzalkonium chloride so one can say that it is safe to use for humans and somehow for the environment.

What is the effect of antibacterial soaps on aquatic life and plants?

Soaps are formulated to clean the skin’s surface of bacteria and germs. Antibacterial soaps contain some active ingredients along with natural ingredients to kill the bacteria present on the skin and on the body. These active ingredients are Benzalkonium chloride, triclosan and chloroxylenol etc. These ingredients are not found in nature. They are synthetic.

When entering the environment (water bodies) they will have negative impacts on aquatic life and on plants. Such as these active ingredients are non-biodegradable when they enter water bodies they have a tendency to accumulate in the cells of the plants.

These plants are consumed by fish. In the end, it will be present in the food chain. This bioaccumulation of the antibacterial ingredients will hinder the normal functioning of the food chain and will cause serious complications. These ingredients are Hazardous to aquatic life.

What qualities should be present in an eco-friendly soap? (7 qualities)

Earth is badly polluted due to anthropogenic activities. Its environment (water, soil, atmosphere) is degrading day by day. It is affecting human life as well as other living creatures like plants, animals and aquatic life. Mankind is now preferring to live in a clean and green environment. Every product we use in our daily life plays its part in polluting the earth.

A very basic daily need is a soap bar. One should know what impact it can have on the environment if produced or consumed carelessly. A soap bar should consist of the following qualities to qualify as an eco-friendly soap:

It should be made from naturally occurring ingredients.
It should not hinder the normal functioning of aquatic life.
It should not harm the skin.
It should not be toxic to the consumer and the environment.
It should be biodegradable.
It should not contain any synthetic chemicals.
It should be budget-friendly

Does dial soap qualify as an eco-friendly product?

After discussing the ingredients present in a dial soap bar one can conclude that either dial soap bar is eco-friendly or not. On the basis of research about the ingredients present in a dial soap bar and their effects on the environment, it can be said that dial soap bars are not very beneficial to the environment.

Organic soap bars clean the surface of the skin as well as other antibacterial soap bars. These antibacterial soap bars have a deficiency in that is they can only kill the bacteria present on the skin but not the viruses. Dial soap bars can not differentiate between good bacteria and bad bacteria; they will kill all the bacteria present on the skin.

Dial soap bars contain synthetic harmful chemical ingredients which will have some impact on the environment. One uses soap for a cleansing purpose not to disturb the environment. It is way better to use the organic soap bar which will not affect the environment.

What are the sustainability efforts done by Dial?

Let us also discuss and explore the sustainability efforts done by Dial to have a better idea of how green and eco-friendly the manufacturers of Dial soap are.

It is claimed that sustainability is one of the core values of Dial. This, however, is not reflected in the choice of ingredients for Dial soap.

When it comes to packaging, Dial has introduced reusable and refillable bottles to help curb the plastic impact and play its part in the success of the circular economy.

Dial has also partnered with green organisations such as Plastic bank recycling corporation, TerraCycle and Solidaridad. All these collaborations do reflect Dial’s inclination to achieve a greener future.

Conclusion

It is concluded that Dial soap is non-biodegradable due to the fact that it contains non-natural, and synthetic chemicals that will render Dial soap not easily biodegradable.