Eco-Friendly Cleaning 

Is Concentrated Cleaner Greener? Lower Packaging, Lower Carbon

Written by Kay Baker, MS, OTR/L — CEO & Co-Founder • Reviewed by Matthew Keasey, Ph.D. — Chief Science Officer • Last reviewed: January 29, 2026.

Transparency note: This article cites government sites, standards bodies, and peer-reviewed sources wherever possible. Educational only, not medical or legal advice.

Is it just me, or does it feel ridiculous to pay for a delivery truck to drive a bottle of water across the country to your doorstep? When you buy a standard bottle of cleaner, that is essentially what is happening. It’s 90% water, 10% cleaner, and 100% inefficient.

Imagine if you ordered a pizza, but the driver brought you the flour, the cheese, and a gallon of water, then charged you for the gas to haul it all. That’s the cleaning industry today.

At Green Llama, we decided to stop shipping water. By switching to concentrated formulas (like our tablets and powders), we aren't just saving space in your cupboard; we are rewriting the carbon math of the entire supply chain.

The "Heavy" Cost of Water

Let’s look at the journey of a single bottle of conventional cleaner.

1. Manufacturing: A massive factory fills a plastic bottle with tap water and a splash of soap.

2. Transport: That heavy bottle (approx. 1-2 lbs) gets loaded onto a pallet.

3. Shipping: A semi-truck burns diesel to haul thousands of pounds of water from Ohio to a warehouse in Texas.

4. Last Mile: A delivery van drives that heavy box to your house.

The Result: Massive carbon emissions, just to move water from Point A to Point B.

The "Light" Logic of Concentrates

Now, look at the Green Llama tablet.

• Weight: 2-4 grams.

• Size: Smaller than a cookie.

• The Water: Comes from your tap, which is already treated and piped directly to your house.

The Impact:

• We can fit hundreds of refills in the same space as one conventional bottle.

• We reduce carbon emissions by 100 fold.

The Packaging Paradox

Concentrates don't just save fuel; they save trash.
Because we aren't containing a liquid, we don't need a thick, non-recyclable plastic vessel. 

It’s the difference between filling your recycling bin every week and filling a small envelope once a year.

But Does It Work? (The Science of Small)

There is a fear that "small" means "weak."

• "How can this tiny tablet clean my whole counter?"

Think of it like espresso vs. a latte. The espresso has all the caffeine; the latte just has more milk. Our concentrates are the espresso shot of cleaning. We strip away the fillers  and leave only the active ingredients, the surfactants, the minerals, the essential oils. When you add water at home, you are creating the "latte," but you are doing it fresh.

The Bottom Line

Switching to concentrates is one of the single most effective actions you can take to lower your household’s carbon footprint. It’s a small change, literally, that delivers massive results for the planet.

To understand how concentrated chemistry actually interacts with your clothes at a molecular level to keep them in your closet longer, visit our Sustainable Fabric Care Science Guide.

Ready to lighten your load? Try our Refill Tablets and stop paying for water you already have.