Dirty Labs

Packaging

Dirty Labs has eliminated virtually all single-use plastic from its product packaging. Its liquid cleaners are packaged in infinitely recyclable aluminum bottles with fully recyclable caps. Powder products (like the laundry booster and dishwasher detergent) come in recyclable cardboard canisters with no plastic components. All shipping and product boxes are paper-based.

Ingredient Sustainability

Dirty Labs formulates its cleaners with an emphasis on biobased, biodegradable ingredients. The Signature Bio Laundry Detergent's ingredient list is composed of plant-based surfactants (like lauryl glucoside and methyl glucamide from coconut glucose), naturally derived enzymes, minerals, and biodegradable solvents (97% of its carbon content is USDA certified biobased). Dirty Labs explicitly avoids fossil-derived chemicals wherever possible; only trace synthetic components are used, and then only for safety or allergy reasons.

The Free & Clear detergent contains no added fragrance and is EWG Verified and National Eczema Association accepted. All formulas are confirmed readily biodegradable (60–100% degradation in 28 days). Ingredients are largely renewable: surfactants and enzymes are plant- or microbe-derived, and any palm oil derivatives are RSPO certified sustainable. Even the enzyme production uses a biorenewable fermentation process (biosynthesis) rather than petrochemical synthesis.

Dirty Labs' commitment to third-party standards underscores its ingredient sustainability: its products carry certifications like EPA Safer Choice (ensuring each ingredient meets strict health and eco safety criteria), USDA Certified Biobased, Green Seal, and even EPA Safer Choice Partner of the Year (2021) recognition.

Energy Use and Footprint

Its hyper-concentrated formulas dramatically shrink the size and weight of each unit of cleaning power, which means fewer trucks on the road and lower transportation emissions.

However, when it comes to operational transparency, Dirty Labs provides limited information. The company has not published data on its manufacturing energy sources, factory emissions, or corporate carbon footprint goals.

Waste Management

Dirty Labs formulas contain no unnecessary fillers (no added water, no microplastic-based thickeners, etc.), meaning fewer raw materials are wasted in production and less volume ends up needing disposal. In manufacturing, the reliance on biotechnology and green chemistry likely minimizes hazardous waste byproducts.

Dirty Labs minimizes waste through product design (concentrated, no pollutants) and likely maintains a modest manufacturing footprint, but it has not published quantitative waste or water reduction metrics for its facilities.

Business Model

The brand maintains a small, evergreen product line (a few multi-purpose detergents and cleaners). The company's marketing strategy explicitly pushes against overconsumption: during the typical Black Friday frenzy, Dirty Labs ran a campaign “saying no to hyperconsumption and yes to clean water,” donating 5% of sales to a water charity instead of steep discounts.

Refill/reuse model: While Dirty Labs doesn't have a direct refill pouch program, it facilitates reuse by selling larger refill bottles and durable accessories (e.g. a glass dispenser and silicone beaker for measuring) to encourage buying in bulk and reusing dispensing tools.

All formulations are free from known harmful chemicals that are common in conventional cleaners. For instance, the laundry detergents contain no parabens, phthalates, or phosphates, and absolutely no ethoxylates (PEGs, SLES, SLS) which can generate 1,4-dioxane. The formulas also exclude formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, ammonia/ethanolamines, chlorine bleach, optical brighteners, and synthetic dyes.

The Free & Clear detergent (no fragrance) is EWG Verified, indicating it meets the Environmental Working Group's strictest health criteria (EWG finds no ingredients of concern). That same formula is National Eczema Association-accepted, attesting it causes minimal irritation for sensitive skin. Furthermore, the brand holds EPA Safer Choice certification for its detergents, meaning EPA scientists have vetted every ingredient to ensure safety for humans and the environment.

Dirty Labs is a small U.S.-based company, and its products are developed and manufactured in the USA, which generally implies compliance with fair labor laws and standards on wages, workplace safety, and no child labor. However, the brand provides minimal public information on its supply chain or labor practices. There is no detailed disclosure of who its suppliers are or how it ensures fair working conditions at ingredient sources.

The company is 100% cruelty-free, certified by PETA. The entire product lineup is vegan-friendly with one noted exception outside of the formulas: Dirty Labs sells wool dryer balls (made from ethically sourced New Zealand wool) as an accessory, which technically is not vegan. However, this does not affect the vegan status of the cleaners themselves, and the company is transparent about this distinction.

The brand has made charitable contributions in line with its mission. Notably, during the 2022 holiday season, Dirty Labs announced it would donate 5% of its revenue to a nonprofit bringing clean water and sanitation to communities in need (Water.org), instead of pushing hyper-discount sales. In addition to financial giving, Dirty Labs contributes to community awareness through its content and partnerships.