Understanding Degreasers in Waste Management

Degreasers are specialized cleaning solutions formulated to break down and remove oil, grease, and other hydrocarbon-based contaminants. In the waste management industry, these products are critical for:

Cleaning collection trucks, compactors, and other heavy equipment
Maintaining conveyor systems and processing machinery
Decontaminating surfaces exposed to waste oils and greases
Ensuring proper functioning of hydraulic systems and moving parts

While effective at their primary purpose, many conventional degreasers contain chemicals that pose significant risks to ecosystems, water supplies, and human health.

Top 20 Companies’ Degreaser Products Used in U.S. Waste Management

The following products represent the most commonly used degreasers in the American waste management industry. Each comes with its own set of environmental considerations:

1. Zep Heavy-Duty Citrus Degreaser

Company: Zep Inc.
Features: Citrus-based formula, biodegradable
Applications: Industrial equipment, machinery, concrete floors
Environmental Concerns: Though citrus-based, it contains d-limonene which can be toxic to aquatic organisms. Improper disposal can contaminate water systems.

2. Simple Green Industrial Cleaner & Degreaser

Company: Sunshine Makers, Inc.
Features: Non-toxic, biodegradable, non-flammable formulation
Applications: Heavy equipment, tools, and various surfaces
Environmental Concerns: Contains 2-butoxyethanol which, though safer than many alternatives, can still be harmful to aquatic ecosystems in concentrated form.

3. WD-40 Specialist Industrial-Strength Degreaser

Company: WD-40 Company
Features: Fast-acting, solvent-based formula effective on heavy grease
Applications: Engines, machinery, industrial tools
Environmental Concerns: Contains petroleum distillates and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that contribute to air pollution, ozone depletion, and can contaminate groundwater.

4. CRC Heavy-Duty Degreaser

Company: CRC Industries
Features: Fast-evaporating formula designed for no-rinse applications
Applications: Machinery, industrial tools, electrical equipment
Environmental Concerns: Contains tetrachloroethylene, a suspected carcinogen that persists in the environment and can contaminate soil and groundwater for decades.

5. Purple Power Industrial Strength Cleaner & Degreaser

Company: Aiken Chemical
Features: Multi-surface cleaner effective on grease and oil
Applications: Equipment, floors, and heavy-duty cleaning tasks
Environmental Concerns: Contains sodium hydroxide that can drastically alter pH levels in water systems, harming aquatic life. The surfactants can create persistent foam in waterways.

6. Oil Eater Cleaner Degreaser

Company: Oil Eater
Features: Water-based, biodegradable formula
Applications: Tough grease and oil removal
Environmental Concerns: Though more environmentally friendly than many alternatives, it still contains surfactants that can disrupt aquatic ecosystems if released in large quantities.

7. Gunk Original Engine Degreaser

Company: Radiator Specialty Company
Features: Solvent-based formula specifically designed for engines
Applications: Heavy machinery, engines, metal parts
Environmental Concerns: Contains petroleum distillates and chlorinated solvents that are highly toxic to aquatic life and can persist in the environment.

8. 3M General Purpose Cleaner Degreaser

Company: 3M
Features: Versatile cleaner effective on grease, oil, and dirt
Applications: Wide range of surfaces and equipment
Environmental Concerns: Contains glycol ethers and surfactants that can disrupt aquatic ecosystems and harm fish populations.

9. Super Clean Degreaser

Company: Super Clean
Features: Heavy-duty, multi-purpose formula
Applications: Engines, tools, industrial equipment
Environmental Concerns: Contains sodium hydroxide (lye) which is highly caustic and can severely impact aquatic life by raising pH levels.

10. Castrol Super Clean Degreaser

Company: Castrol
Features: Non-flammable formula designed for industrial applications
Applications: Heavy-duty cleaning tasks
Environmental Concerns: Contains strong alkaline compounds that can disrupt the pH balance of water systems and harm aquatic organisms.

11. Franmar Soy-Based Degreaser

Company: Franmar
Features: Eco-friendly, soy-based, biodegradable formula
Applications: Suitable for sensitive environments
Environmental Concerns: Relatively low environmental impact but can still contribute to water contamination if misused.

12. Spartan Chemical Eco-Green Citrus Degreaser

Company: Spartan Chemical Company
Features: Citrus-based formula with environmentally friendly claims
Applications: General degreasing and cleaning
Environmental Concerns: Contains d-limonene, which despite being plant-derived can be toxic to aquatic life.

13. Betco Green Earth Citrus Degreaser

Company: Betco
Features: Green-certified formula safe for food processing areas
Applications: Food industry and sensitive environments
Environmental Concerns: Lower environmental impact than conventional degreasers but can still affect aquatic ecosystems if improperly disposed of.

14. EnviroTech EZ-Pour Degreaser

Company: EnviroTech Services
Features: Concentrated, water-based formula
Applications: Heavy grease and oil removal
Environmental Concerns: Though biodegradable, it contains surfactants that can harm aquatic organisms and ecosystems.

15. BlueGold Industrial Strength Degreaser

Company: BlueGold
Features: Water-based formula safe for most surfaces
Applications: Industrial cleaning tasks
Environmental Concerns: Contains surfactants that can cause foaming in waterways and disrupt aquatic ecosystems.

16. Spartan Chemical Bio-Clean Degreaser

Company: Spartan Chemical Company
Features: Biodegradable, non-toxic formula
Applications: Environmentally sensitive cleaning
Environmental Concerns: Lower environmental impact but still contains chemicals that can affect water quality if improperly disposed of.

17. Zep Fast 505 Degreaser

Company: Zep Inc.
Features: Fast-acting, solvent-based formula
Applications: Heavy-duty industrial applications
Environmental Concerns: Contains chlorinated solvents that can persist in soil and groundwater, potentially contaminating drinking water sources.

18. Chemtech CT-18 Degreaser

Company: Chemtech
Features: Concentrated, alkaline-based formula
Applications: Tough grease and oil removal
Environmental Concerns: Highly alkaline pH can disrupt aquatic ecosystems and harm fish and other organisms.

19. Crown PSC 1000 Degreaser

Company: Crown Chemical
Features: Water-based, non-flammable formula
Applications: Various surfaces and equipment
Environmental Concerns: Contains surfactants that can harm aquatic life and create persistent foam in waterways.

20. Spartan Chemical HDQ Neutral Degreaser

Company: Spartan Chemical Company
Features: Neutral pH, water-based formula
Applications: Sensitive equipment and surfaces
Environmental Concerns: Lower environmental impact than many alternatives but still contains quaternary ammonium compounds that can be toxic to aquatic organisms.

The Environmental Impact of Degreasers

The widespread use of degreasers in waste management operations comes with significant environmental costs that often go unrecognized. These impacts extend far beyond the immediate application site:

1. Water Pollution and Aquatic Ecosystem Degradation

When degreasers enter water systems through improper disposal, runoff, or spills, they can cause catastrophic damage to aquatic ecosystems:

Toxic Effects on Aquatic Life: Many degreaser components are directly toxic to fish, invertebrates, and aquatic plants, even at low concentrations. Chlorinated solvents like tetrachloroethylene (found in products like CRC Heavy-Duty Degreaser) can cause reproductive failures, developmental abnormalities, and death in aquatic organisms.
Oxygen Depletion: Surfactants in degreasers promote the dissolution of oils and greases, which can create oxygen-depleted zones in water bodies as these compounds decompose, leading to fish kills and ecosystem collapse.
Disruption of Food Chains: By harming certain species, degreasers can disrupt entire food chains and ecosystems, with effects that may persist long after the initial contamination.
Bioaccumulation: Some chemicals in degreasers can accumulate in the tissues of aquatic organisms and become concentrated as they move up the food chain, eventually reaching humans who consume fish from contaminated waters.

2. Soil Contamination and Terrestrial Impacts

Degreaser chemicals that reach soil can have lasting effects on soil health and the organisms that depend on it:

Reduced Soil Fertility: Harsh chemicals can kill beneficial soil microorganisms that are crucial for healthy soil ecology and plant growth.
Persistent Contamination: Some degreaser components, particularly chlorinated solvents, can remain in soil for decades, creating long-term contamination issues that affect plant growth and groundwater quality.
Leaching to Groundwater: Many degreaser chemicals are mobile in soil and can gradually leach into groundwater, contaminating drinking water sources for communities.
Impact on Plants: Plants growing in contaminated soil may absorb toxic chemicals, affecting their growth and potentially transferring these toxins to animals and humans who consume them.

3. Air Pollution and Atmospheric Effects

Volatile components of degreasers contribute significantly to air pollution:

VOC Emissions: Volatile Organic Compounds from solvent-based degreasers like WD-40 Specialist and Gunk Original Engine Degreaser contribute to smog formation and ground-level ozone, which damages lung tissue and vegetation.
Respiratory Hazards: Workers and others exposed to degreaser vapours may experience respiratory irritation, headaches, dizziness, and long-term health effects including potential cancer risks from certain chlorinated solvents.
Greenhouse Gas Contributions: Some degreaser components have high global warming potential, contributing disproportionately to climate change when released into the atmosphere.

4. Human Health Impacts

Beyond environmental damage, degreasers pose serious health risks:

Dermal Exposure: Direct skin contact with concentrated degreasers can cause severe irritation, chemical burns, and dermatitis.
Inhalation Risks: Breathing vapours from volatile degreasers can cause immediate symptoms like headaches and dizziness, and long-term exposure may lead to chronic respiratory conditions or neurological damage.
Carcinogenic Potential: Several common degreaser components, including tetrachloroethylene and trichloroethylene, are classified as potential human carcinogens.
Drinking Water Contamination: When degreaser chemicals enter groundwater supplies, they can contaminate drinking water, exposing entire communities to toxic chemicals through daily water consumption.

5. Waste Management Challenges and Improper Disposal

Improper disposal of degreasers contributes to significant waste management issues, exacerbating environmental and public health concerns:

Hazardous Waste Classification: Many degreasers are classified as hazardous waste due to their toxic, flammable, or corrosive properties. Disposal regulations require specific handling procedures, but failure to follow these guidelines can lead to contamination of landfills, waterways, and air.

Landfill Contamination: When degreasers are discarded in regular trash, they can seep into the soil at landfill sites, causing long-term contamination and making land reclamation efforts more difficult. Certain chemicals, like chlorinated solvents, do not degrade easily and persist in the environment for decades.

Improper Drain Disposal: Pouring degreasers down sinks, drains, or storm sewers leads to severe water pollution, harming aquatic ecosystems and potentially violating environmental regulations. Wastewater treatment plants are often not equipped to filter out these chemicals, allowing them to enter natural water bodies.

Lack of Recycling and Reuse Initiatives: While some degreaser containers are recyclable, limited awareness and inadequate recycling programs result in most of them ending up in landfills. Additionally, many users discard unused degreasers instead of exploring safe reuse or recycling options.

Costly Clean-up and Remediation: Spills, leaks, and improper disposal methods can lead to extensive clean-up operations that are both costly and time-consuming. Governments and companies often have to invest in soil remediation, groundwater treatment, and hazardous waste management to mitigate the impact of irresponsible degreaser disposal.

Addressing these waste management challenges requires stricter regulatory enforcement, increased public awareness, and the development of environmentally friendly degreasing alternatives to reduce the burden on landfills and water systems.

A Call for Responsible Degreaser Use

The waste management industry has a unique opportunity and responsibility to lead in environmental stewardship. As organizations tasked with handling society’s discarded materials, adopting sustainable practices within operations demonstrates a commitment to comprehensive environmental protection.

Immediate Actions for Waste Management Companies

Conduct a Degreaser Audit: Evaluate all degreaser products currently in use and identify those with the most harmful environmental profiles for priority replacement.
Implement Proper Containment: Ensure all degreasing operations occur in contained areas with appropriate capture systems to prevent environmental release.
Train Staff Thoroughly: Provide comprehensive training on the environmental impacts of degreasers and proper handling procedures to minimize risk.
Transition to Eco-Friendly Alternatives: Begin replacing the most harmful products with environmentally responsible alternatives like CleanGO CG-100.
Establish Proper Disposal Protocols: Develop and enforce strict protocols for the disposal of spent degreaser solutions and contaminated materials.

Safe Handling, Use, and Disposal of Degreasers

Degreasers are essential for cleaning tough grease and grime, but improper use, storage, and disposal can pose serious health and environmental risks. Many degreasers contain toxic chemicals that can harm human health, contaminate water sources, and disrupt ecosystems. To ensure safety, it is crucial to store them properly, explore eco-friendly alternatives, and dispose of them responsibly. Understanding the risks and adopting best practices—such as using citrus-based cleaners, recycling empty containers, and following safe disposal methods—helps protect both people and the environment while maintaining effective cleaning solutions.

Safe Disposal of Degreasers

Proper disposal of degreasers is essential to protect the environment and public health. These chemicals contain toxic substances that can contaminate water sources and harm aquatic life if disposed of improperly. Never pour degreasers down the drain or into storm sewers, as they can enter waterways and cause pollution. Additionally, avoid mixing them with other chemicals, as this can lead to hazardous reactions. To dispose of degreasers safely, wrap the container in absorbent material, place it in a sturdy cardboard box, and take it to a household hazardous waste collection centre. By following these guidelines, you help reduce environmental damage and ensure compliance with proper waste management regulations.

Eco-Friendly Alternatives to Traditional Degreasers

Switching to environmentally friendly degreasing methods can help reduce harmful chemical exposure and pollution. Instead of solvent-based degreasers, opt for citrus-based alternatives, which are biodegradable and safer for both users and the environment. For cleaning battery terminals, a simple paste made from baking soda and water effectively removes corrosion without the need for harsh chemicals. Similarly, for grease spills in garages, sprinkling kitty litter or cornmeal absorbs the oil, making clean-up easier and preventing hazardous runoff. By adopting these alternatives, you can maintain cleanliness while promoting a safer and more sustainable approach to degreasing.

Proper Storage of Degreasers

Safe storage of degreasers is essential to prevent accidents, spills, and exposure to harmful chemicals. Always ensure that the container lid is tightly closed when not in use to prevent evaporation, leaks, or contamination. Store degreasers in a locked cabinet or a secure area out of reach of children and pets to avoid accidental ingestion or skin contact. Keeping these chemicals in a well-ventilated, cool, and dry place further reduces the risk of fire hazards and chemical degradation. Proper storage practices help maintain safety and prolong the effectiveness of degreasers.

Health Risks of Degreasers

Exposure to degreasers can pose serious health risks due to the toxic chemicals they often contain. Prolonged or repeated contact can lead to damage to vital organs such as the kidney, liver, and nervous system, and in some cases, long-term exposure has been linked to cancer. Additionally, improper disposal of degreasers can contaminate groundwater, affecting wells and drinking water supplies. These chemicals can also kill beneficial bacteria in septic systems and sewage treatment plants, disrupting waste breakdown and leading to environmental hazards. To minimize risks, always handle degreasers with care, use protective gear, and follow proper disposal guidelines.

Recycling Empty Degreaser Containers

Proper recycling of degreaser containers helps reduce waste and environmental impact. If the container is completely empty and free of chemical residues, it may be eligible for recycling through your local curb side program. However, always check with local waste management authorities to ensure compliance with specific recycling guidelines, as some containers may require special handling due to hazardous material residues. By responsibly recycling empty degreaser containers, you contribute to sustainability efforts and help minimize chemical pollution.

CleanGO CG-100: A Revolutionary Eco-Friendly Alternative

In stark contrast to conventional degreasers with their environmental baggage, CleanGO CG-100 represents a significant advancement in sustainable cleaning technology. This innovative product delivers powerful degreasing performance while dramatically reducing environmental impacts:

Superior Environmental Profile

Truly Biodegradable Formula: Unlike many products that claim biodegradability but contain persistent components, CleanGO CG-100 is formulated with 100% biodegradable ingredients that break down completely in the environment without leaving harmful residues.
Zero VOC Emissions: The formula contains no volatile organic compounds, eliminating contributions to air pollution, smog formation, and respiratory hazards.
Non-Toxic to Aquatic Life: Independent testing has confirmed that CleanGO CG-100, when used as directed, poses minimal risk to aquatic organisms even in the event of accidental release into water systems.
pH Neutral Technology: The neutral pH formulation prevents the disruption of natural pH balances in soil and water systems that occurs with highly alkaline or acidic conventional degreasers.

Exceptional Performance Characteristics

Despite its environmentally friendly profile, CleanGO CG-100 delivers industrial-strength cleaning power:

Powerful Degreasing Action: The specialized plant-based surfactant system effectively breaks down and emulsifies even heavy grease and oil deposits.
Versatile Applications: Performs effectively on multiple surfaces including metal, concrete, plastic, and rubber, making it ideal for the diverse cleaning needs of waste management operations.
Residue-Free Cleaning: Rinses completely, leaving no sticky or slippery residues that could affect equipment operation or safety.
Corrosion Inhibition: Contains natural corrosion inhibitors that help protect metal surfaces from oxidation, extending equipment life.

Worker Safety Benefits

CleanGO CG-100 prioritizes the health and safety of workers:

Non-Sensitizing Formula: Unlike many conventional degreasers that can cause allergic reactions with repeated exposure, CleanGO CG-100 is formulated to minimize sensitization risk.
No Harmful Vapours: Workers can use the product without concerns about respiratory irritation or long-term health effects from inhalation.
Skin-Safe Technology: The gentle formula is non-irritating to skin at recommended dilutions, reducing the risk of chemical burns and dermatitis common with conventional caustic degreasers.
Reduced PPE Requirements: While basic safety precautions are still recommended, the non-toxic formula reduces the need for extensive personal protective equipment.

Cost-Effective Sustainability

Concentrated Formula: The highly concentrated formulation can be diluted at ratios from 1:10 to 1:100 depending on the application, providing excellent value and reducing packaging waste.
Reduced Disposal Costs: Because the product is non-hazardous, waste disposal costs are significantly lower compared to hazardous chemical degreasers.
Equipment Longevity: The non-corrosive formula helps extend the life of equipment and surfaces, providing long-term cost savings.
Regulatory Compliance: Using CleanGO CG-100 helps waste management companies stay ahead of increasingly stringent environmental regulations, avoiding potential fines and penalties.

Conclusion: The Path Forward

The environmental impacts of conventional degreasers in the waste management industry present a significant challenge, but also an opportunity for positive change. By recognizing the hidden environmental costs of these products and transitioning to sustainable alternatives like CleanGO CG-100, waste management companies can significantly reduce their ecological footprint while maintaining operational effectiveness.

CleanGO CG-100 represents the future of industrial cleaning—powerful performance without environmental compromise. Its revolutionary formula demonstrates that effective degreasing and environmental protection can go hand in hand, offering waste management companies a clear path toward more sustainable operations.

As the industry continues to evolve and environmental regulations become increasingly stringent, early adopters of sustainable cleaning solutions will be positioned for long-term success. The choice is clear: continue with conventional degreasers and their environmental liabilities, or embrace innovative products like CleanGO CG-100 that clean effectively while protecting our shared environment for future generations.