Every degreaser bottle on a Canadian cleaning-supply shelf claims to be eco-friendly. Most of that claim is marketing, not chemistry. A degreaser is only genuinely biodegradable if its surfactants and solvents break down into water, carbon dioxide, and biomass within a defined test window under a recognized standard — not because the packaging is green or the word "natural" is on the front.
This guide explains what the OECD 301B ready-biodegradability standard actually measures, why plant-derived degreasers break down differently than petroleum-based formulas at the molecular level, why that matters for wastewater discharge from your facility, and what it costs per use to switch to a formula that passes the real test — not just the label.
- OECD Test No. 301 (Ready Biodegradability) requires roughly 60-70% breakdown within 28 days under aerobic aquatic conditions — most bottles labeled "biodegradable" are never actually tested against this standard.
- JANITORI No.71 and No.72 MAX are plant-derived and contain 0% of 8 flagged chemicals: parabens, SLS, EDTA, NTA, chlorine, phosphates, petroleum solvents, and VOCs.
- Plant-derived surfactants break down through enzymatic pathways microbes already recognize; petroleum-based solvents use synthetic hydrocarbon chains that degrade slower and can persist in wastewater systems.
- No.71 costs about $0.02 per direct spray from a 4L jug; No.72 MAX diluted 1:200 costs about $0.05 per litre of ready-to-use working solution.
- What Actually Makes a Degreaser Biodegradable?
- Does the OECD 301B Test Actually Prove Biodegradability?
- Why Do Plant-Derived Degreasers Break Down Faster Than Petroleum-Based Formulas?
- Why Does Biodegradability Matter for Wastewater Discharge?
- Which JANITORI Degreaser Fits Your Facility?
- How Much Does a Biodegradable Degreaser Cost Per Use?
- Are Biodegradable Degreasers as Effective as Petroleum-Based Ones?
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Actually Makes a Degreaser Biodegradable?
A degreaser is biodegradable when naturally occurring microorganisms can break down its surfactants and solvents into water, CO2, and biomass — not simply because the bottle says "eco" or uses green packaging. The distinction lives entirely in the chemistry.
In Canada, "biodegradable" is not a legally defined or third-party-audited claim — a manufacturer can print it on a label with no test behind it. What actually determines biodegradability is the surfactant source. JANITORI Degreaser No.71 and JANITORI Degreaser MAX No.72 are formulated from plant-derived surfactants with 0% VOCs, and are part of our biodegradable cleaning products line, made in Montreal, QC. Petroleum-derived degreasers, by contrast, use synthetic hydrocarbon surfactants selected for grease-cutting power and shelf stability — not for how fast microbes can digest them.
Does the OECD 301B Test Actually Prove Biodegradability?
Yes — OECD Test No. 301 (Ready Biodegradability) is the internationally recognized standard for the claim: a substance passes as "readily biodegradable" when roughly 60-70% of it breaks down within a 28-day window under aerobic aquatic conditions, measured by oxygen uptake or CO2 evolution.
The test simulates a chemical entering a wastewater or aquatic environment, separating substances that degrade quickly and completely from ones that persist or only partially break down. JANITORI's plant-derived formulas are built around the surfactant chemistry this standard rewards — no petroleum solvents, no chlorine, no phosphates, ingredients that fail a ready-biodegradability test outright.
Why Do Plant-Derived Degreasers Break Down Faster Than Petroleum-Based Formulas?
Plant-derived surfactants — sourced from coconut, corn, or citrus oils — share molecular structures that soil and water microorganisms already have enzymes to digest. Petroleum-based surfactants and solvents use synthetic hydrocarbon chains built for shelf stability, not biodegradability, and can take far longer to break down.
This is also why VOC content matters. Petroleum solvents commonly used in industrial degreasers off-gas volatile organic compounds and leave residues that resist microbial breakdown. JANITORI No.71 and No.72 MAX are formulated with 0% VOCs and no petroleum solvents — which is also why both work with hot or cold water and rinse residue-free. There's no synthetic solvent film left behind for the water to carry into the drain.
Why Does Biodegradability Matter for Wastewater Discharge?
Facilities that rinse degreaser residue into a floor drain, sink, or loading-dock catch basin are sending that chemical straight into the municipal wastewater stream — a slow-degrading petroleum-based formula adds treatment load and discharge risk that a genuinely biodegradable formula does not.
Environment and Climate Change Canada's Wastewater Systems Effluent Regulations govern what Canadian wastewater systems can discharge, and municipalities layer their own sewer-use bylaws on top — often targeting oil, grease, and non-degrading chemical loads specifically. The Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) water-quality guidance adds another layer for facilities near sensitive waterways. Switching daily-use degreasers to a plant-derived, biodegradable formula is one of the few cleaning-chemical decisions that measurably reduces what a facility sends downstream, without requiring a capital investment in treatment infrastructure.
Which JANITORI Degreaser Fits Your Facility?
JANITORI No.71 is built for direct-spray, everyday use — kitchens, workshops, and maintenance crews. JANITORI No.72 MAX is a concentrate built for industrial floors, heavy commercial kitchens, and fleet maintenance, where a facility mixes large volumes of working solution.
| Product | Formula | Dilution | Best For | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JANITORI No.71 | Plant-derived, biodegradable | Full strength or diluted as needed | Kitchens, workshops, daily direct-spray use | $26.95 / 4L |
| JANITORI No.72 MAX | Plant-derived concentrate, biodegradable | 20 mL per 4L water (1:200) | Industrial floors, heavy commercial kitchens, fleet maintenance | $29.95 / 4L, $124.95 / 20L |
Both formulas are 0% VOC, contain none of 8 flagged chemicals (parabens, SLS, EDTA, NTA, chlorine, phosphates, petroleum solvents, VOCs), and are made in Montreal, QC since 1994 (parent company E.R.E. Inc.). No.72 MAX is also safe for pressure washer use — dilute to the standard ratio and load into the detergent intake.
How Much Does a Biodegradable Degreaser Cost Per Use?
JANITORI No.71 costs about $0.02 per direct spray from a 4L jug — roughly 1,333 sprays per jug. No.72 MAX diluted at 20 mL per 4L water (1:200) costs about $0.05 per litre of working solution, with one 4L concentrate making 200 batches — 800L of ready-to-use degreaser.
| Product | Price | Yield | Cost / Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| JANITORI No.71 | $26.95 / 4L | ~1,333 direct sprays | $0.02 / spray |
| JANITORI No.72 MAX | $29.95 / 4L | 800L working solution (200 batches) | $0.05 / L |
Larger formats — 20L pails, 204L drums, 1000L totes — are available on request for high-volume sites.
Shop Degreaser No.71 — $26.95 / 4L
Are Biodegradable Degreasers as Effective as Petroleum-Based Ones?
Yes — plant-derived surfactants cut grease through the same emulsification mechanism petroleum-based surfactants use, without leaving the persistent solvent film that often forces an extra rinse step. The myth that "eco" formulas clean weaker comes from early-generation plant-based products, not current chemistry.
Both work on metal, stone, concrete, plastic, and all greasy surfaces (avoid unsealed wood and natural marble), with hot or cold water, and rinse residue-free. No.71 applies full strength for heavy soil or diluted for lighter cleaning — no fixed dilution ratio forcing a one-size-fits-all approach.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "biodegradable" mean on a degreaser label?
In Canada, "biodegradable" is not a legally regulated label claim — a manufacturer can print it without third-party testing. The chemistry-backed definition is that surfactants and solvents break down into water, CO2, and biomass under standards like OECD 301B. JANITORI No.71 and No.72 MAX are plant-derived formulas built to that chemistry, not just the wording.
What is the OECD 301B test?
OECD Test No. 301 (Ready Biodegradability) is the internationally recognized standard measuring whether roughly 60-70% of a substance breaks down within 28 days under aerobic aquatic conditions. It's the benchmark most retail "eco" degreasers are never actually tested against.
Are plant-based degreasers as strong as petroleum-based degreasers?
Yes. Plant-derived surfactants cut grease through the same emulsification process as petroleum-based ones. JANITORI No.71 and No.72 MAX work on metal, stone, concrete, and plastic, with hot or cold water, and rinse residue-free — without the petroleum solvent film that often forces an extra rinse step.
How much does JANITORI Degreaser No.71 cost?
JANITORI Degreaser No.71 is $26.95 CAD for a 4L jug, which delivers about 1,333 direct sprays — roughly $0.02 per spray. Bulk sizes (20L pails, 204L drums, 1000L totes) are available by request for larger facilities.
Can biodegradable degreasers go down floor drains safely?
A genuinely biodegradable, plant-derived degreaser like JANITORI No.71 or No.72 MAX breaks down faster and more completely than petroleum-based formulas, reducing the load it adds to municipal wastewater treatment. Facility managers should still follow local sewer-use bylaws for any chemical discharge, particularly at higher concentrations.
Get Degreaser No.71 — Made in Canada
Get Degreaser MAX No.72 — Heavy-Duty Concentrate