The structural formula of recycled waste ethanol is C2H5OH, commonly known as alcohol. It is a flammable and volatile colorless transparent liquid under normal temperature and pressure, with a unique and pleasant aroma and a slight刺激性. Ethanol is used to manufacture acetic acid, beverages, perfumes, dyes, fuels, and more. In the medical field, a 70% to 75% volume fraction of ethanol is commonly used as a disinfectant.

The physical properties of ethanol are mainly related to the properties of its low-carbon straight-chain alcohols. The hydroxyl group in the molecule can form hydrogen bonds, thus making ethanol highly viscous and less polar than organic compounds with a similar molecular weight. At room temperature, ethanol is colorless and has a distinctive aromatic odor as a volatile liquid.