Sustainability and environmental consciousness are a huge priority for many businesses — not only because customers increasingly demand it, but because minimising waste has huge benefits for budgets, staff morale, and the world around us. One of the most challenging areas of a business in which to introduce sustainability is the washroom — so, how can this be achieved?
Washroom Waste: A Global Problem
Commercial washrooms go through huge quantities of consumables every year — from toilet paper to single-use products, and sanitary items to cleaning supplies. For example, over 25,000 trees are felled every day to make toilet paper, which makes up roughly 15% of worldwide deforestation — and 168 litres of water are required to produce a single roll! That is almost an entire bathtub for every roll of toilet paper; multiplied by extensive usage in a busy workplace washroom, that can have a catastrophic impact.
Sustainability in the Washroom
What does sustainability in the washroom look like? It can be as simple as displaying signs reminding users to turn off the taps after use, avoiding water wastage. You can also source washroom products that are made from recycled or recyclable materials, limiting their environmental impact. There are also larger investments that can be made in your washroom infrastructure, like mechanisms to reduce the water used to flush toilets and urinals, or timing the water released from taps to reduce excess flow.
Tips and Tricks for a Sustainable Washroom
- Avoid plastic packaging wherever possible
- Install energy-efficient hand dryers, or use hand towels made from recycled materials
- Choose water-saving systems, like urinal regulators and timed taps
- Supply toilet paper that is either 100% recycled, or made from a sustainable material like bamboo
- Make recycling bins readily available in your washroom
- Check taps for leaks and drips — fixing a tap can save up to 4 litres of water daily.
For advice on making your washroom more sustainable, you can contact the TWC team here.
