Ecolab has introduced the disinfectant 1 wipe, the first EPA registered 100% plastic-free, readily degradable, one-minute hospital disinfection wipe derived 100% from wood pulp fibers. The product supports healthcare facilities looking to help improve patient safety and achieve their sustainability goals citing an urgent need to address the environmental impact of traditional single use plastic-based disinfectant wipes, which currently dominate the North American market.
Healthcare facilities in North American have faced significant challenges in adopting wipes that can help enhance sustainability efforts due to anatomic challenges tht exist between wood-pulp based substrates and the current active ingredients avaialbe in the market today. Ecolab has emerged as a frontrunner in addressing this critical issue, offering a first-of-its-kind 100% plastic-free, readily degradable disinfectant wipe that not only provides one-minute hospital disinfection against 40-plus broad spectrum organisms but also demonstrates a 36% reduction in total wipe utilization when compared to the leading alcohol-based disinfectant wipe.4. The product has a two-year shelf life and has demonstrated the ability to kill SARS-CoV-2 in as little as 30-seconds5.
“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,” says 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% relative biodegradation in a 15-day accelerated test, demonstrating full decomposition into non-hazardous byproducts6.
“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% plastic-free disinfectant wipe1, we are not just proposing an alternative — we are setting a new standard,” says 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.”
