Ecolab has announced the launch of the newest addition to its suite of offerings: the Disinfectant 1 Wipe, the first EPA registered 100 per cent plastic-free, readily degradable, 1-minute hospital disinfection wipe derived 100 per cent from wood pulp fibres.

The new product supports healthcare facilities looking to help improve patient safety and achieve their sustainability goals. The development comes from an urgent need to address the environmental impact of traditional single use plastic-based disinfectant wipes, which currently dominate the North American market and take hundreds of years to degrade once discarded.

The need to reduce the environmental impact of hospital disinfectant wipes has only increased. If all the hospital disinfecting wipes were sent to landfills in North America last year end-to-end, it would be enough to circle the world 58 times. However, healthcare facilities in North America have faced significant challenges in adopting wipes that can help enhance sustainability efforts due to anatomic challenges that exist between wood-pulp based substrates and the current active ingredients that are widely available in the market.

Ecolab has emerged as a frontrunner in addressing this critical issue, offering a first-of-its-kind 100 per cent plastic-free, readily degradable disinfectant wipe that not only provides 1-minute hospital disinfection against 40+ broad spectrum organisms but also demonstrates a 36 per cent reduction in total wipe utilisation when compared to the leading alcohol-based disinfectant wipe. The product has a 2-year shelf life and has demonstrated the ability to kill SARS-CoV-2 in as little as 30-seconds, the company said in a press release.

“As leaders in healthcare, Ecolab is committed to innovating solutions that drive impactful change, not only to meet stringent disinfection standards but also to help safeguard our environment,” said Natasha Chen, SVP, Global Healthcare. “Our new plastic-free disinfectant wipe represents a transformative leap forward in addressing the critical issue of reducing single-use plastic waste.”

On the sustainability side, the Disinfectant 1 Wipe boasts exciting degradation capabilities, reaching 94.3 per cent relative biodegradation in a 15-day accelerated test, demonstrating full decomposition into non-hazardous byproducts.

“At Ecolab, safeguarding our environment is integral to our mission to help protect the world’s most vital resources. With the introduction of our innovative 100 per cent plastic-free disinfectant wipe, we are not just proposing an alternative — we are setting a new standard,” said Emilio Tenuta, senior vice president and chief sustainability officer, Ecolab. “This innovation is more than a product; it’s a testament to Ecolab’s commitment to pioneering hygiene solutions that enhance sustainability and are as kind to the planet as they are effective in practice.”

As this game-changing product continues to be adopted across North America this summer, Ecolab is poised to redefine the standards for how to advance sustainable hygiene practices in healthcare. The new 100 per cent plastic free disinfectant wipe is better for the environment, sourced from renewable resources, and delivers superior operational savings to customers while also embodying the company's dedication to driving positive change in the industry.