An updated guide from Earth911 outlines best practices for disposing unused cleaning products amid rising consumer awareness of their environmental impact. With the natural cleaners market projected to double by 2030, options like donations, recycling programs, and proper waste handling are emphasized to minimize household hazardous waste. Americans produce about 1.6 million tons of such waste yearly, averaging 100 pounds per home.
Household cleaning products pose disposal challenges due to their chemical content, but effective strategies exist to handle them responsibly. The natural household cleaners market is growing from $6.97 billion in 2024 to a projected $13.28 billion by 2030, driven by awareness of harms from conventional products. A 2023 Environmental Working Group study of 30 everyday cleaners identified 530 unique volatile organic compounds, including 193 hazardous ones linked to respiratory damage, cancer risk, and developmental issues.
The simplest approach is to use products up or donate them to charities, churches, or homeless shelters, ensuring original containers are used. Online platforms like Freecycle.org or Nextdoor.com facilitate community giveaways. If unused, check labels for instructions; many water-soluble items like laundry detergent or disinfectants can be poured down the drain with running water, safe for septic systems. Solid cleaners or wipes go in regular trash, while items like furniture polish may require special handling at local facilities.
Major brands support sustainability through recycling initiatives. Method partners with TerraCycle's Cleaner Packaging Brigade for pumps, triggers, and pouches from any brand. Seventh Generation uses TerraCycle's Loop for reusable packaging. Clorox introduced a 2022 refillable wipes system reducing plastic waste by 80%, with over 75% of CloroxPro packaging recyclable, including 25% post-consumer recycled plastic. Procter & Gamble launched plant-based wipes in 2023 with biodegradable ingredients and less plastic.
Packaging recycling is straightforward: rinse PET (#1) and HDPE (#2) plastics, aerosols, and cardboard boxes for curbside bins. For hard-to-recycle items, TerraCycle's Zero Waste Box accepts triggers and small containers, remolding them into new products. Precycle by choosing concentrated or recycled-content products to reduce waste upfront.
Resources include Earth911's database for hazardous waste facilities and TerraCycle.com for brand programs. Alternatives like baking soda or vinegar, via EPA's Safer Choice, offer eco-friendly cleaning options. This guide, originally from 2022, was updated in November 2025.