Choosing Cleaning Agents for Environmental Sustainability

In an era when reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) has become a global industrial priority, the selection of eco-friendly cleaning agents plays a vital role across all sectors—from manufacturing and service industries to household cleaning. Every stage in the product life cycle (Life Cycle Assessment: LCA)—from production, use, to waste disposal—contributes to the overall carbon footprint of cleaning products.

Cleaning Agents and Their Impact on Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Cleaning agents generally fall into two main categories:

Petrochemical-based Cleaning Agents
Plant-based (Bio-based) Cleaning Agents

These two groups differ significantly in their environmental impact. A Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) clearly reveals how each stage of their life cycles contributes to GHG emissions and environmental burden.

Types of Cleaning Agents: Synthetic vs. Plant-Based

Synthetic Chemical Agents are commonly derived from petrochemical processes—such as Sodium Hypochlorite, Sodium Hydroxide, and synthetic surfactants. These require high energy inputs during extraction and production, generating emissions of CO₂, CH₄, and NOₓ.
Plant-based Cleaning Agents are made from natural oils such as coconut, palm, corn, or soybean oils. These require less energy to produce and, when sourced from organic farming, can even help capture atmospheric CO₂ through photosynthesis.

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Cleaning Agents

Transitioning to Plant-Based Cleaning Agents to Reduce Carbon Footprint

Switching from petrochemical to plant-based cleaning agents helps lower GHG emissions throughout the entire life cycle:

Reduced CO₂ emissions during production and logistics.
Elimination of VOCs and air pollutants during usage.
Lower wastewater treatment load due to biodegradability.

Adopting eco-friendly cleaning products not only protects ecosystems but also enables businesses and organizations to move closer to their Sustainability and Net Zero goals. Choosing such products is no longer a trend—it is an essential part of responsible environmental management and corporate sustainability strategy.