We’ve all been there: standing in the store, drawn to the word “ecological” printed in bold green letters. That’s exactly what happened when we picked up these Greenminds Scouring Sponges. The packaging claimed “planet friendly,” the colors looked earthy, and the texture felt natural. So far, so good.

But once the sponge reached the end of its dishwashing life, we asked ourselves the big question:
👉 What now? How do we dispose of it sustainably?

So we looked closer…

♻️ What’s Actually in This “Eco” Sponge?

• Sponge: 100% cellulose ✅ (compostable)

• Scouring pad: 50% sisal fibers ✅ + 50% recycled PET ❌ (non-compostable)

• Adhesive: Polyurethane ❌ (non-recyclable and non-biodegradable)

That means: while half of this sponge is biodegradable, the other half isn’t. You can’t compost it whole. You can’t recycle it either. You can cut off the cellulose side and compost that, but the rest goes into landfill.

And suddenly, our “eco” choice feels a bit… greenwashed.

💡 So, What Can You Do With a Used Sponge?

Here’s our simple guide:

1. Cut it in half: Separate the green cellulose from the brown scrubbing layer.

2. Compost the cellulose part in your home or city compost bin (if allowed).

3. Reuse the scouring side for dirtier tasks (cleaning shoes, garden tools, toilet brush holder, etc.)

4. When it's truly worn out, dispose of the scouring pad as residual waste.

🌍 What Are Fully Sustainable Alternatives?

If you're ready to level up your kitchen routine, here are sponge options that are 100% compostable and plastic-free:

🌿 Loofah sponges – made from dried plant fibers
🌾 Coconut or sisal scrubbers – naturally abrasive and fully compostable
🧽 Cellulose-only sponges – skip the glued-on scrubber
🪣 Wood pulp dishcloths (e.g. Swedish cloths) – reusable and compostable
🪵 Wooden brushes with replaceable heads – zero plastic and stylish too

🌱 Final Tip

♻️ Always read the label – sustainability isn’t just a word, it’s a responsibility.
🙌 When in doubt, choose products that list 100% natural or plant-based materials and skip anything glued together.
🕵️♀️ And if you don’t want to do all the detective work yourself — good news! We’re already hunting down the truly sustainable sponges (and more) for you.
Check out our carefully curated Sustainable Cleaning Collection for planet-friendly choices that clean without compromise.