Disinfectant disposal - what to look out for?

When disinfectant has expired or can no longer be used for other reasons, the question of proper disposal arises. Can you just put the disinfectant in the trash can? And if not, where can I dispose of disinfectant without it polluting the environment? We have collected the facts for you.

Why is it important to dispose of disinfectants properly?

Proper disposal of disinfectants is important to protect the environment, prevent water and soil contamination, and reduce the risk of human exposure to hazardous chemicals.

Improper disposal of disinfectants, such as pouring residual solution down the drain or disposing of it in landfills, can result in chemicals entering groundwater sources, which can be toxic to humans and animals.

In addition, chemicals from disinfectants that are not disposed of properly can leach into and contaminate the soil, adversely affecting plant and animal life. The ingredients and constituents of disinfectants result in increased concentrations of certain chemical compounds in the air that can adversely affect human health.

Different types of disinfectants – different disposal

Most disinfectants are alcohol-based, but for people who cannot tolerate alcohol or do not want to come into contact with it for personal reasons, there are also alcohol-free disinfectants whose effectiveness is based on chlorine or hydrogen peroxide. In their pure form, both chemicals should never be added to the cast.

In the case of hydrogen peroxide, the concentration should be less than three percent so that it can be disposed of safely via the sink or toilet. If in doubt, however, you should confidently entrust the disposal of chemical mixtures such as alcohol-free disinfectants to the professionals at the recycling center in order to protect the environment.

Ways to dispose of disinfectants

Now, if you want to dispose of disinfectants properly, there are several options, but not all of them are sensible, permitted or environmentally friendly.

Household waste

It is not permitted to dispose of disinfectants in household waste. The risk of parts of it entering the sewerage system undiluted or causing problems in the waste treatment process, due to high flammability, for example, is simply too high.

Yellow garbage can

Unfortunately, disinfectants do not belong in the yellow garbage can either. This is reserved for plastics, polystyrene, beverage cartons and tinplate.

Recyclables collection

Your local recycling center is the place to go if you want to dispose of your disinfectant properly. This not only protects the environment, but also reduces the risk of a chemical igniting or leaking into the groundwater.

Refill disinfectant bottles on the go and save plastic

Did you know that you can also save on plastic when it comes to disinfectants? And you do that by refilling smaller disinfectant bottles from a larger canister. When doing so, you must make sure that you use a sterile funnel and that the containers are not left open for too long, otherwise the active ingredient will volatilize and the effectiveness of the disinfectant will diminish.

Buy skin-friendly and low-waste disinfectant for hands

If you not only want to avoid skin damage from disinfectants, but also want to choose a manufacturer that takes care to save waste, then you should visit our online store for disinfectants. We have developed a high-quality disinfectant with a fresh scent and a pleasant texture that kills enveloped viruses and bacteria alike. We also make sure that our product generates as little waste as possible.