It’s impossible to ignore the call to alter the way things have always been done, to question if our processes, products and habits are costing the earth dearly. And this extends to our businesses as well, right from the paper we print on to, to the washrooms we offer staff and visitors.
Creating an eco-friendly washroom in your office, single toilet in your cafe, or multiple bathrooms across a campus, isn’t just about being environmentally responsible, it is also a hugely practical move that can save you money, improve hygiene levels and even enhance the public image of your company’s brand. By putting sustainability high on the agenda, you will be matching with the current ethos across the UK and beyond, something that potential employees, customers and investors are on the lookout for.
Whether you are looking to upgrade your facilities, are building a whole new washroom or want to start making changes in small increments, we’ve created this guide to offer you practical, UK relevant advice to help you to create greener, cleaner washrooms for your business, for staff and visitors alike.
Why you should consider eco friendly washrooms
In spite of the relatively short time they are used daily, workplace washrooms are surprisingly resource intensive places. From water usage to simple energy consumption, to fully stocked disposable resources (paper towels, soap etc) traditional toilet set ups are made to be instantly usable at a moment’s notice, and they are costing us, and the planet, a lot for it.
An eco-friendly washroom, by comparison, can reduce your energy consumption and your environmental footprint, as well as supporting compliance schemes such as ISO 14001 or BREEAM building standards. Plus, it would be naive to think that, as the world heats up and time runs down on carbon levels, that these rules won’t become tighter. The UK has a Net Zero strategy and by positioning your company and any working locations to align with this early on, you could be saving yourself a lot of money and hassle further down the line.
Then there is the moral stand point. We know that current processes are costing the earth. And we know what we need to do to change it. Even if you don’t feel strongly about the cause on a personal level, many people do. By championing eco washrooms (and other alterations across your work place) you will be showing that your organisation is socially and environmentally responsible: something customers, staff, and stakeholders increasingly value.
How to save water at work
Water efficiency is one of the most straightforward ways to make your workplace or public toilet more eco friendly. Washrooms use A LOT of water. We get it. The mere idea of a shared space with strangers makes a lot of people reach for extra flushes, running taps and repeated handwashing. So, how to save water at workplace washrooms? There are steps that you can take to minimise water usage, or more accurately, water wastage.
Choose the toilets carefully
The most used appliance in the room, (yes, even more than the sinks, as we explored in our recent blog post about hand washing) traditional toilets can use up to 13 litres per flush, but modern dual-flush versions use as little as 4–6 litres. Think about that over a month, a year or even a decade. Get the basics right and the other changes can follow.
Install automatic flushing urinals
Urinals can be major culprits for water wastage, often flushing on a timer, whether being used or not. Installing an automatic urinal flushing device where it is only activated when needed can cut your water usage down significantly, especially in high traffic locations.
Think about your taps
Beware the leaking tap! A simple dripping tap, dripping 30ml of water per minute can waste 15,768 liters of water annually. But even if yours are in perfect working order, there are other steps you can take to ensure they aren’t using more water than needed. Tap aerators (a small device, typically found at the end of a faucet spout, that mixes air with the water flow, deducing usage but also improving water pressure, something which can be an issue in large buildings with multiple washrooms) and infrared sensor taps further reduce waste by minimising running time.
Use simple prompts
Signage that encourages turning taps off, reporting leaks and avoiding unnecessary flushing can go a long way in enforcing positive behaviour. Equally, a bit of understanding for why we undertake some habits can stop them happening in the first place. By offering extra surface cleaning options, especially in the cubicles themselves, will make users feel that they are in more hygienic surroundings and will lead to less obsessive water usage.
Energy consumption ideas
Washrooms might not be the first place you think of when it comes to energy efficiency, but they actually use quite a bit of power; from lighting to hand dryers to hot water. The good news is that small changes can make a big difference.
One easy upgrade is switching to motion-sensor LED lighting. LEDs use up to 80% less energy than traditional bulbs and last much longer. In areas that aren’t used all the time, motion sensors help make sure lights aren’t left on unnecessarily.
Hand dryers are another area where you can save. Modern high-speed or low-energy models can dry hands in less than 10 seconds while using much less electricity than older versions. They’re not just faster; they’re often better for the environment too, producing fewer carbon emissions over their lifetime.
If your washroom uses hot water, think about adding point-of-use heaters or insulating your current system. This helps to both minimise heat loss and cut down on overall energy use. Every bit of energy saved not only lowers your bills but also makes your washroom more eco-friendly.
Sustainable washroom products
The easiest, low risk way to create an eco friendly washroom, is to change the consumables for more sustainable options. These tend to be single-use by nature, but that doesn’t mean that they cannot be recyclable or made with materials that are good for the environment.
Opt for toilet paper (and towels if you offer them) that are made from recycled materials and stock refillable hand soap in bulk to reduce packaging waste. Foam soap is a particularly good option, as if it often requires less product and less water use for the same effect.
For cleaning, use eco-certified products, and biodegradable packaging that avoid harsh chemicals and contribute to better indoor air quality, as well as not negatively impacting the natural world when they are disposed of.
Your wastage matters too. Sanitary bins are a legal requirement and you should choose a provider who offers sustainable sanitary bin disposal services, such as VR Sani-Co. As well as operating a zero-to-landfill policy for all sanitary and nappy waste, we also hold a STEM Blue Certificate for Environmental Management.
Remember: no change is too small
In an ideal world, every public or workplace toilet facility would be an eco washroom. But budgets, space constraints and timing means that that is not always possible. It is easy to feel that if you cannot make huge sweeping changes te=hen it is not worth doing anything. But the opposite is true. When it comes to sustainable washrooms, every improvement counts. Imagine if everyone did one change, think of the energy, water and carbon footprint impact that could be achieved!
Start with one fixture, either changing up your consumable supplier or opting for sensor taps, then build from there. Celebrate the wins with your team or customers: a sign that says ‘this tap saves us 3 litres per use!’ not only informs of your commitment to change, but will empower and inspire users to participate in sustainability efforts.
Creating a culture of small, intentional changes across your workplace can inspire change or a wider scale. Ask your staff for input and ideas, and together you can work towards long term success.
A quick reminder of eco washroom costs & impact
We get that changes are rarely cheap and that the upfront investment for some eco-friendly upgrades can seem high, but the returns are typically swift and far reaching. For example:
- Sensor urinal flush systems can reduce water usage by up to 70%, saving hundreds of pounds annually in medium-sized offices.
- LED lighting may cost more to install, but lasts over 10 years and cuts lighting bills by up to 80%.
- Switching to recycled consumables and foam soap often results in lower ordering volumes — and therefore less waste and cost.
The long-term savings, combined with reputational and compliance benefits, more than justify the changes. Use these stats if you need support in implementing changes in your business or workplace.
Final Thoughts
Creating a truly eco-friendly washroom for your workplace doesn’t have to be overly expensive or overwhelming. Whether you opt to invest in new technology such as automatic urinal flushing devices, switch to recycled toilet paper, or partner with a sustainable sani-bin collection service provider, every action will build up to a healthier planet, and a more environmentally responsible workspace.
Don’t think about it as ticking boxes, think about it as creating an environment that reflects your company’s values, one flush, light switch or soap dispenser at a time.
