The structural formula of recycled waste ethanol is C2H5OH, commonly known as alcohol. It is a flammable and volatile colorless transparent liquid at room 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 commonly used as a disinfectant.

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