The structural formula of recycled waste ethanol is C2H5OH, commonly known as alcohol. It is a flammable, volatile, colorless, and transparent liquid under normal temperature and pressure. Its aqueous solution has a unique, pleasant fragrance with a slight刺激性. Ethanol can be used to produce acetic acid, beverages, perfumes, dyes, fuels, and more. In the medical field, a 70% to 75% volume fraction of ethanol is often 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, making ethanol have a high viscosity and lower polarity compared to organic compounds with similar relative molecular masses. At room temperature, ethanol is colorless and has a distinctive, pungent odor as a volatile liquid.