The future of plant-based solutions

SUSTAINABILITY IS no longer a ‘nice to have’, it’s a business imperative. Across the cleaning and hygiene sector, plant-based materials are rapidly emerging as the new sustainable and effective alternative to traditional products for those businesses seeking to reduce pollution, minimise waste and lower environmental impact. 

With the shift toward circular economies and a growing demand for natural, plant-derived ingredients in cleaning products, it is key to explore the benefits and opportunities in using these solutions across hygiene paper and business operations.

Why the hygiene paper conversation matters

Sustainability should never be an afterthought; it should be foundational to business processes and product innovation. While much of the conversation around plant-based products focuses on cleaning chemicals, the opportunities in hygiene paper should not be overlooked. From rapidly renewable fibres to recyclable materials, innovation in this area is proving that sustainability and performance no longer need to be competing priorities.

Traditionally, toilet paper has been made from virgin wood pulp, a process that’s both resource-intensive and carbon-heavy. It’s estimated that producing virgin pulp emits up to 30% more greenhouse gases than using recycled fibres. The equivalent of 36 football fields of trees are felled every minute, while the average person in the UK uses around 127 toilet rolls per year.

With awareness of environmental degradation and deforestation rising, businesses are increasingly under pressure to seek out alternatives that lower carbon emissions, reduce waste and support circular economy principles. This is where plant-based innovation in hygiene paper offers a powerful and practical solution.

Miscanthus: a smarter, sustainable fibre

Miscanthus, often referred to as elephant grass, represents a shift in responsible fibre sourcing. As a fast-growing perennial grass, it offers multiple environmental advantages, such as regenerating annually for up to two decades without replanting, while actively capturing carbon. When compared to traditional wood-based fibres, Miscanthus achieves 65% greater yield while reducing ecological impacts too. This is all accomplished without requiring pesticides, artificial fertilisers or irrigation. Instead, this plant naturally enriches soil quality and supports local biodiversity through its development. 

For forward-thinking businesses, these attributes translate into tangible advantages – from tightening goals and evolving environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards, to measurable waste reduction and a better alignment with planet-first values. Using solutions like Miscanthus highlightshow business needs and environmental responsibility can work together, redefining our standards for the future.

Innovations in hygiene paper to balance sustainability and performance

One of the most persistent myths about sustainable products is that they must compromise on quality. But that no longer holds true.

Thanks to advances in processing and material science, today’s plant-based hygiene papers can match– and in many cases exceed - the softness, strength and absorbency of traditional alternatives. Products made with Miscanthus or bamboo, for example, are designed to perform, while offering a significantly lower environmental footprint. These plant-based materials demonstrate that environmental responsibility doesn’t have to be a sacrifice or a way of making things more complicated.

In fact, recent market has also confirmed a significant shift in perceptions, with insights revealing that businesses now weigh sustainability equally with performance when facilities managers and procurement leads select hygiene products. This evolution shows how properly processed sustainable solutions can be a ground-breaking solution, while recognising that these are not just an alternative for businesses but an advancement in technology for a better planet.  

Plant-based solutions represent a new era in cleaning and hygiene, where environmental growth seamlessly work together. As more businesses experience the benefits firsthand, outdated assumptions about natural, plant-derived products are giving way to the appreciation for their design, strengthening the sector as a whole. 

Businesses no longer see sustainable paper as a lesser alternative, they see it as a forward-thinking, functional choice that aligns with their values and long-term strategy.

Beyond paper: the wider role of plant-based thinking

While there is a focus on alternative hygiene paper solutions, there is an ongoing wider interest in plant-based cleaning chemicals as well. These offer additional benefits, such as reducing harmful chemical exposure and improving indoor air quality, all of which are important considerations in environments like schools, healthcare facilities and hospitality settings.

Crucially, plant-based products - whether paper or chemical - support a move away from single-use, non-recyclable materials. Combined with smart dispenser systems, refillable formats and better recycling infrastructure, they help create washrooms that are cleaner, more sustainable and easier to maintain.

The commercial benefits of smarter hygiene choices

Integrating plant-based hygiene solutions isn’t just good for the planet, it’s good business. Transitioning into advanced, plant-based hygiene solutions represents more than an environmental upgrade, as it is also a strategic opportunity to enhance growth and efficiency. From improving ESG reporting to securing certifications like Cradle to Cradle, these decisions can open doors to new commercial opportunities and help future-proof operations – whether you’re a large manufacturing facility or a small office workspace.

Take the built environment: with buildings accounting for around 40% of global carbon emissions, according to the Chartered Institute of Building and generating over 40% of landfill waste, switching to plant-based hygiene products is a tangible way to reduce embodied carbon and operational waste. While in healthcare, recent NHS trials demonstrate the benefits of plant-based solutions, through a reduction in clinical waste volumes through compostable surgical products, improving plans towards net zero commitments.

Yet, these advantages extend across all sectors. Every organisation can collectively benefit from commitment to sustainable operations. From utilising energy and water efficient methods, to using compostable products to lower waste reduction, businesses can see benefits in various formats – from driving meaningful change to cost-saving initiatives.  

From healthcare to hospitality, manufacturing to corporate offices, plant-based hygiene innovationssupport better resource efficiency, lower procurement costs over time and align with growing consumer demand for ethical, environmentally friendly brands.

These solutions prove that sustainability and performance aren't competing priorities, but complementary strengths that define the future of responsible business.

A smarter way to think about sustainability

Sustainable washrooms are often overlooked in broader environmental strategies, yet they’re one of the most accessible and impactful places to start making a difference. Whether it’s switching to recyclable, plant-based paper, installing touch-free dispensers to reduce waste, or adopting refillable systems, every action adds up.

These are not just superficial upgrades as well, they’re operational tools that help businesses cut costs, reduce risk and build trust with employees, customers and stakeholders. They also contribute directly to key ESG pillars: from carbon reduction and water savings to improved wellbeing and responsible procurement.

By designing hygiene systems that are both efficient and sustainable, businesses can demonstrate that their commitment to the environment is more than just a tick box exercise, it’s embedded in how they operate. From reducing operational costs to strengthening environmental credentials, smarter hygiene choices offer a clear return on investment and help pave the way for a more resilient, future-ready business.

A cleaner future that is rooted in innovation

As sustainability for organisations shifts from aspiration to a core expectation, the hygiene sector is proving that plant-based solutions are vital for this transition. From the regenerative power ofrenewable fibres like Miscanthus to energy-efficient production methods and recyclable packaging, every step forward brings us closer to a cleaner, more responsible way of working. And businesses no longer have to choose between environmental responsibility and operational excellence.

These solutions also go beyond being the responsible choice, they deliver measurable advantages benefits across industries, from cost savings and improved wellbeing to enhanced ESG performance. 

For organisations that want to lead with integrity, sustainability must be part of every decision, including those made in the washroom. At WEPA Professional UK, we’re proud to be at the forefront of this shift, helping our partners make smarter, sustainable choices that deliver measurable impact. 

Khalid Saifullah is managing director at WEPA Professional UK

For more information, visit www.wepaprofessional.co.uk/

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