Native shampoo is not biodegradable. The company confirms this directly on its FAQ page, stating that its hair care products “are not currently biodegradable” but that it is “something we are working on.” That said, the picture is more nuanced than a simple yes or no, because some ingredients in Native shampoo break down quickly in the environment while others persist.
What Native Says About Biodegradability
Native markets its shampoo as free from dyes, sulfates, parabens, microbeads, and polyethylene. These are meaningful exclusions for anyone trying to reduce their environmental footprint. But the company draws a clear line: it does not claim its shampoo is biodegradable. That distinction matters because “biodegradable” has a specific scientific meaning in the personal care industry, and Native has chosen not to apply it to its products.
What “Biodegradable” Actually Means for Shampoo
In cosmetics, the standard most companies follow is “readily biodegradable,” which means a product breaks down by at least 60% within 28 days under standardized testing conditions (set by the OECD, the international body that coordinates these protocols). For a shampoo to earn that label, every significant ingredient needs to meet this threshold. If even one key ingredient falls short, the whole product can’t honestly be called biodegradable.
Ingredients That Do Break Down
The main cleaning agent in Native shampoo, cocamidopropyl betaine, is one of the most biodegradable surfactants available. In standardized OECD tests, it reaches 86 to 100% biodegradation within 28 days. That easily clears the 60% threshold. It’s a coconut-derived ingredient common in sulfate-free shampoos, and from an environmental standpoint, it’s a solid choice.
The preservative sodium benzoate, another common ingredient in Native formulas, is also highly biodegradable. The EPA classifies it as “readily biodegradable” and considers it practically non-toxic to birds and low-risk for freshwater fish and invertebrates. It breaks down so quickly that the EPA uses it as a benchmark compound in biodegradation testing. The agency has made a formal “no effect” determination for sodium benzoate under the Endangered Species Act, meaning it poses no expected risk to listed species at its typical concentrations.
The Ingredient That Likely Holds Things Back
The probable reason Native can’t call its shampoo biodegradable is Polyquaternium-10, a conditioning polymer used in many shampoos and conditioners to reduce static, improve detangling, and leave hair feeling smooth. This ingredient is a synthetic polymer, essentially a type of plastic dissolved in water, and it does not readily break down in the environment.
Polyquaternium polymers are widely assumed to be persistent and potentially toxic to aquatic organisms. Research published in Environmental Science & Technology Letters provided the first evidence of these polymers showing up in natural water systems. One related compound, Polyquaternium-2, was detected in 13 out of 15 water samples tested, and estimated concentrations in several samples exceeded levels known to be lethal to rainbow trout, water fleas, and green algae.
Polyquaternium-10 specifically was detected in four of those 15 samples. Scientists still aren’t sure how much of it remains bioavailable (meaning able to interact with living organisms) once it binds to organic matter in water and sediment. The strong tendency of these polymers to stick to sewage sludge and natural organic material may reduce their impact, but it also means they accumulate in sediment rather than disappearing. The environmental picture for this ingredient class is still being studied, but what’s known so far raises legitimate concerns.
How Native Compares on Safety Ratings
The Environmental Working Group gives Native’s Eucalyptus & Mint Shampoo a score of 3 out of 10 (lower is better), which falls in the “low hazard” category. The only ingredient flagged for ecological concern is fragrance, and that flag is rated low. So while the product isn’t biodegradable as a whole, its overall environmental and health risk profile is relatively favorable compared to many mainstream shampoos.
What This Means If You’re Shopping for Eco-Friendly Shampoo
If full biodegradability is a priority for you, perhaps because you camp, live near sensitive waterways, or simply want to minimize what goes down your drain, Native isn’t the right pick yet. Look for shampoos that explicitly state “biodegradable” or “readily biodegradable” on the label, and check that they avoid polyquaternium compounds and similar synthetic conditioning polymers. Shampoo bars often meet this standard more easily because they skip the water-soluble conditioning polymers that liquid formulas rely on.
If your main concern is avoiding the worst offenders (sulfates, parabens, microbeads, and microplastics), Native does deliver on those fronts. Most of its formula breaks down well. The gap is the conditioning polymer, and the company has acknowledged it’s working on a solution. For now, it’s a “mostly but not fully” situation, and Native deserves credit for being upfront about it rather than greenwashing the label.