Cleaning products are an essential part of keeping workplaces safe and hygienic across all industries, from healthcare and education to retail and the public sector. However, even with the most careful stock control, surplus supplies are inevitable. Since throwing them in the bin or pouring them down the sink is never a viable option, it’s crucial to know how to dispose of cleaning products correctly.

Proper disposal of cleaning products is critical for businesses in the facilities management sector. Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, companies must safely contain and dispose of the waste they generate. Failure to follow chemical waste disposal regulations can lead to serious environmental harm, legal penalties, and unnecessary costs.

At Samsic UK, we work with businesses to reduce waste, cut costs, and ensure full compliance with waste management regulations. This guide will explain:

  • The risks of improper cleaning product disposal
  • How to classify and dispose of hazardous cleaning chemicals
  • The benefits of professional waste management services
  • How to reduce cleaning product waste and costs through sustainable solutions

Why Is It Important to Properly Dispose of Cleaning Products?

Incorrect disposal of cleaning chemicals poses serious risks to:

  • The environment – Chemicals can contaminate soil, waterways, and ecosystems.
  • Public health – Exposure to toxic substances can cause respiratory issues and skin irritation.
  • Compliance & legal liability – Businesses can face fines or prosecution for improper disposal.

Did You Know? In 2023, Samsic reduced janitorial chemical use by 42.11% across Kraft Heinz sites, demonstrating the effectiveness of smart chemical management.

Types of cleaning products

Hazardous cleaning products

Many common cleaning products contain harmful and toxic ingredients such as bleach, ammonia, phthalates, chlorine or volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Because of this, they’re classed as hazardous substances, which the Health and Safety Executive defines as “any material that can cause harm to health, directly or indirectly”. Hazardous cleaning products can cause physical symptoms ranging from headaches and skin irritation to breathing difficulties and chemical burns, as well as environmental risks including soil pollution, contaminated water and danger to wildlife. With this in mind, it’s important to identify which substances fall into this category.

How to identify hazardous cleaning products

In order to know how to dispose of a cleaning product, it’s essential to identify what type it is. There are two main ways to find out if a cleaning product is hazardous:

  • Check the label: The label contains information in various forms to make it easy to see at a glance whether a product is hazardous.
  • Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) regulation hazard pictograms: Diamond shaped with a red border, these symbols are accompanied by a word or phrase that signifies whether the product is highly flammable, an irritant, corrosive, harmful to the environment, or oxidising.
  • Safety statements: In addition to the CLP pictograms, there are likely to be safety statements on the label such as ‘Keep away from heat’ or ‘Harmful if swallowed’, or simply ‘Danger’ or ‘Caution’.
  • Ingredients: If the ingredients list features bleach, ammonia, chlorine or similar, the product is hazardous.
  • Safety Data Sheets: These contain in-depth information about the product including, but not limited to, what it’s used for, what it contains, how it should be stored, and what to do in case of emergency.

    How to Dispose of Hazardous Cleaning Products

    Cleaning chemicals fall into three main waste categories:

    • Always hazardous – Corrosive, toxic, or flammable substances that require professional disposal.
    • Never hazardous – Biodegradable or water-soluble solutions that can be safely diluted.
    • Conditional hazardous – Chemicals that may be hazardous based on concentration or usage.

    Water-Soluble Products

    • Can be poured down the sink if permitted by regulations.
    • Never mix different chemicals, as this can create harmful reactions.
    • Never dispose of them directly outside, as even “non-hazardous” solutions can harm local ecosystems.

    Chemical Cleaning Products

    Before disposal:

    • Check product labels or manufacturer guidelines for proper disposal methods.
    • If possible, donate unused products to charities such as The Hygiene Bank, which distributes cleaning products to people in need.
    • For hazardous chemicals, hire a professional disposal service like Samsic to ensure compliance.

    Waste Management Services for Cleaning Products

    Businesses must comply with hazardous waste disposal laws and ensure that chemicals classified as hazardous, corrosive, or flammable are handled correctly. If your business lacks the infrastructure for proper disposal, outsourcing waste management is essential.

    As hazardous cleaning products can cause harm to human and animal health, as well as to food and water sources, and the environment, they can’t be thrown away in general rubbish or recycling bins, or poured down drains or sinks. They must be disposed of in line with the UK waste regulations, which means using a licensed waste carrier and a licensed waste facility.

    • Licensed waste carrier: All businesses and organisations are responsible for finding and hiring a licensed waste carrier to dispose of their hazardous cleaning products. They must make sure it is registered with the Environment Agency and holds a valid licence to transport hazardous waste. Check the Environment Agency Database for registered carriers.
    • Licensed waste facility: The carrier must take the waste to a licensed facility where it will be properly disposed of according to its type, for example it could be incinerated or recycled.

    How Samsic UK Can Help

    Samsic offers tailored waste management solutions to:

    • Handle hazardous and non-hazardous chemical waste
    • Reduce waste-related costs by up to £40,000
    • Minimize single-use plastic waste by 97%
    • Cut down external waste transfer layers by 86% for added security

    Before hiring a waste disposal provider, check their authorisation on the GOV.UK website.

    How to Reduce Cleaning Product Waste & Costs

    1. Stock Cleaning Products Mindfully

    Over-purchasing cleaning supplies leads to waste and unnecessary costs. Best practices include:

    • Track product usage to avoid excess stock.
    • Use chemical-free alternatives where possible to cut back on waste.

    2. Recycle and Donate Unused Products

    Instead of disposing of unused cleaning products:

    • Donate to organisations like The Hygiene Bank.
    • Partner with suppliers offering sustainable packaging and recycling programs.

    3. Choose Environmentally Friendly Cleaning Products

    Using sustainable cleaning solutions eliminates the need for hazardous chemical disposal.

    Benefits of eco-friendly cleaning products

    • Fewer disposal regulations: Unlike hazardous cleaning products, eco-friendly ones don’t contain harsh chemicals. Instead, they are made from biodegradable, non-toxic ingredients – some that you could find in the average kitchen cupboard. Because of this, they’re not subject to the same legal disposal regulations as hazardous cleaners.
    • Reduced environmental impact: The natural and biodegradable ingredients in these products reduces the risk of water, air and soil pollution, as well as harm to wildlife, plants and ecosystems. In addition, they often come in recyclable containers, which cuts down on single-use plastic.
    • Improved health and safety: Because eco-friendly cleaning products are made from natural ingredients and don’t contain toxic chemicals, they are much safer for those that come into contact with them. The risk of issues such as eye and skin irritation, breathing difficulties or chemical burns is greatly reduced.
    • Green certification: Using environmentally friendly cleaning products can help businesses and organisations meet a number of UK and European green certification standards, as it shows a commitment to sustainability. This in turn can help fulfil their corporate social responsibility goals and give them market advantage.

    Samsic’s Solution: Toucan Eco Active

    • Replaces traditional toxic chemicals with an eco-friendly alternative
    • Reduces cleaning chemicals by 85%
    • Eliminates 80% of plastic containers & packaging

    Sustainability Impact: Samsic’s eco-friendly solutions have reduced water consumption by 50% at Kraft Heinz, cutting down waste and operational costs.

    How to dispose of environmentally friendly cleaning products

    Disposing of eco-friendly cleaning products is much more straightforward than dealing with hazardous waste. There are fewer legal regulations or processes to follow, and many can be discarded on-site. Because they are made from natural and biodegradable ingredients, they may be able to be poured down the drain or sink, thrown away with the general refuse, or included with the standard recycling, as they won’t harm the environment.

    However, as with hazardous cleaning products, it is advisable to check the label. Some products may specify that they must be diluted before being poured away, or that the containers must be thoroughly rinsed before being put in the rubbish or recycling. It is also important to remember not to mix eco-friendly cleaning products either with other green cleaners or with any hazardous substances, as this could cause a dangerous reaction.

    Legal requirements for disposing of cleaning products

    There are legal requirements for disposing of both hazardous cleaning products and eco-friendly alternatives. Businesses must operate in line with these or face significant penalties.

    Key UK regulations and laws

  • Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005: These cover the disposal of hazardous cleaning products, like those with bleach or solvents. Waste must be separated, labelled and disposed of by a licensed carrier with a hazardous waste consignment note. Records of disposal must be kept for three years.
  • Environmental Protection Act 1990: This applies to both hazardous and non-hazardous waste. It requires businesses to follow a ‘Duty of Care’ by storing waste securely, using licensed handlers, and keeping accurate documentation like waste transfer notes for all types of waste, including eco-friendly products.
  • Waste (England and Wales) Regulations 2011: Businesses must prioritise the waste hierarchy, focusing on reusing and recycling before disposal. For eco-friendly cleaning products, this might mean recycling packaging or using refill options.
  • Water Resources Act 1991: This prohibits harmful substances from entering water systems. For eco-friendly products, it means waste should be diluted or treated before being disposed of into sinks or drains, especially if larger amounts are involved.
  • Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) Regulations: If a cleaning product is classified as hazardous, COSHH requires safe disposal to prevent health risks during handling or transport.

    • Paperwork required to dispose of cleaning products

    For both hazardous and non-hazardous cleaning products, businesses must maintain certain records to ensure legal compliance:

  • Waste Transfer Notes: These are required for all transfers of non-hazardous waste, including eco-friendly cleaning products. They must include details of the waste type, quantity, and the parties involved in the transfer.
  • Hazardous Waste Consignment Notes: For hazardous cleaning products, consignment notes must be completed, providing more detailed information than waste transfer notes. These records, which include waste classification and the licensed waste carrier, must be kept for three years.
  • COSHH Assessments: For hazardous products, a COSHH risk assessment must outline potential health risks associated with the use, storage, and disposal of the cleaning product.

    • Penalties for non-compliance

    Failure to comply with the legal requirements for cleaning product disposal can result in severe penalties for businesses, including:

  • Fines: Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, failure to follow waste disposal regulations can result in fines of up to £50,000 in a magistrates’ court or unlimited fines if convicted in a crown court.
  • Criminal prosecution: Businesses that illegally dispose of hazardous waste or discharge chemicals into water systems can face criminal charges under the Water Resources Act 1991, which may result in further fines or imprisonment.
  • Environmental permitting penalties: Under the Hazardous Waste Regulations 2005, improper disposal of hazardous cleaning products could lead to significant fines and legal action if businesses fail to use licensed waste carriers or neglect to keep accurate consignment notes.
  • COSHH breaches: Non-compliance with COSHH regulations, including failing to assess and safely dispose of hazardous cleaning products, could result in fines or legal action from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

    • Transform Your Business’s Cleaning Waste Strategy

    Proper waste management is no longer just about compliance—it’s about cost savings, efficiency, and sustainability.

    At Samsic UK, we help businesses:

    • ✔ Reduce chemical waste & single-use plastics
    • ✔ Cut external waste disposal costs by up to £40,000
    • ✔ Implement eco-friendly cleaning solutions with measurable impact

    🔹 Want to cut waste and reduce costs? Contact Samsic UK today for a free waste management consultation.

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