Cost vs. sustainability: How technology provides both

Modern businesses know that sustainability is no longer just a value add; it's a vital necessity across the entire stakeholder chain. And the data backs this up. In 2024, 82% of consumers believed businesses have a responsibility to protect the environment, the UK’s net-zero economy grew by 10%, generating £83billion in value, and 42% of businesses ranked climate change as a key concern.

Yet despite this, the top concern for businesses in 2024 was cost (44%). Balancing cost and sustainability isn’t a new challenge, especially in the cleaning sector. While sustainable cleaning products have emerged, many carry an “eco premium” without delivering added operational value. So, how can businesses adopt green cleaning practices and remain in the black?

Meeting society’s needs: The evolution of cleaning

Cleaning has always reflected the tools and demands of its time. Early humans used vinegar and clay to clean. But as industrialisation and mass production accelerated, so did our reliance on synthetic chemical cleaners, which are harsh, fast-acting, and cheap to produce.

This legacy has deeply influenced today’s cleaning market. Many still associate “strong chemicals” with “better cleaning,” but petrochemical cleaners have trade-offs: environmental damage, high carbon footprints, and health risks.

On the other side, early eco-friendly alternatives, though better for the planet, often increased costs, slowed operations, and failed to deliver the same level of cleaning performance. Sustainable products, by design, often involve more ethical sourcing and advanced production methods, which can lead to 75–85% higher prices on average on other sustainable alternative products.

These historical legacies remain entrenched in many cleaning operations. But just as society evolves, so does technology, and biotechnology is emerging as a solution that delivers both sustainability and cost-effectiveness.

Biotechnology: A bridge between operations and sustainability

Biotechnology is the use of natural organisms (like bacteria, enzymes, and yeast) to perform specific tasks. This science has existed since the 19th century and spans across industries, from food to pharmaceuticals. Now, it’s making its way into the cleaning industry.

Long before humans invented cleaning products, nature was already cleaning through bacteria. These microorganisms break down organic matter using enzymes, and modern biotech cleaning solutions are harnessing this same principle in a refined, effective way.

Why it’s sustainable

Biotech cleaning products use naturally occurring, non-toxic ingredients that break down into harmless byproducts, drastically reducing water pollution, CO₂ emissions, and harm to human health, compared to traditional cleaning products. 

And with the right understanding of the technology from the manufacturer, features like cold-water efficacy, non-rinse formulations, and ultra-concentrates can be designed to work in synergy with the biological ingredients, enabling a far lower carbon footprint across the entire product lifecycle. When responsibly sourced and properly formulated, biotech can drive a dramatic reduction in a business’s environmental impact without compromising on results.

How biotech enhances operations

With the right formulation, biotech solutions can outperform traditional cleaners through:

• Deeper cleaning action: Proprietary bacteria colonise surfaces, penetrate deep intosurfaces, and degrade organic matter that traditional products can’t reach; all without damaging surfaces
• Residual protection: The bacteria form a biofilm that continues to work after application, reducing the need for frequent or intensive re-cleaning
• Odour elimination: Rather than masking odours, biotech products absorb and degrade the source, the organic matter itself.

Rethinking the cost equation

As biotechnology is more environmentally friendly, many businesses may still associate this eco-technology with higher “eco-premiums,” which can deter them from the start. High-performance biotech products are designed to last longer, work more efficiently, and reduce the need for intensive labour or repeat cleaning. With features like ultra-concentrates, cold-water efficacy, and non-rinse formulations, businesses can significantly cut costs related to product consumption, water and energy use, and staff time. These operational efficiencies not only support the bottom line but also build resilience against rising utility prices and shifting regulations.

What businesses need to know: The science

Although bacteria have been degrading matter long before humans existed, there is a science needed to ensure biotech cleaning is efficient in commercial settings. It requires expertise from the manufacturer in microbiology, understanding that enzymes are highly specific — each one works on a particular type of molecule, like a lock and key. For example, amylase breaks down starch, lipase breaks down fats and oils. But it takes more research and development, as not all bacteria are the same; each species and strain has different abilities.

Think of it like a family: everyone might share the same last name, but each person has different traits, strengths, and skills.

Take E. coli, for example:

• E. coli O157:H7 is harmful - it causes foodborne illness and can lead to severe health issues
• E. coli K12 is completely safe - it’s used in laboratories, teaching, and even human trials
• Other strains of E. coli are naturally present in the human gut.

To perform effectively in real-world settings, true biotech must be safe, stable, and efficient.This means moving beyond buzzwords and green claims and evaluating the biological integrity and scientific formulation behind each product. Unlike traditional chemical products, biological solutions are living technologies. Their performance depends on carefully selected strains, stable formulations, and enzyme activity that aligns with real-world cleaning needs. Without scientific integrity and thorough R&D formulation, products may underperform or even contribute to the very trade-offs they were designed to eliminate.

To be efficient, the formulation must include:

• Sufficient bacterial counts in both concentrated and diluted form (typically more than 100,000 CFU/ml in ready-to-use product) to establish a dominant microbial population
• Compatible species and strains that don’t inhibit each other
• Relevant enzyme profiles matched to the cleaning task, e.g., protease for proteins, lipase for fats and oils, amylase for starch
• Performance across real-world conditions, including fluctuations in temperature, pH, salinity, nutrient levels, and the presence of surfactants.

Navigating this new technology in the market

As with any innovation, and despite growing market demand, there still seems to be a lack of legislation to verify these claims. Even in the UK, defined standards or certifications for biological cleaning are lacking. Until legislation catches up, businesses need to work collaboratively with suppliers and manufacturers to ensure claims are robust. Key questions to ask:

• What is the bacterial concentration in both concentrate and diluted form?
• Which strains are used, and are they safe and effective?
• What enzymes are produced, and are they relevant to your cleaning needs?
• Can the product perform in your site's specific environmental conditions (e.g. temperature, humidity, pH)?
• Are the ingredients responsibly sourced and biodegradable?

Cleaning without compromise

In a market where cost pressures and sustainability demands are both intensifying, businesses shouldn’t have to compromise. Biotechnology offers a practical, scalable solution; one that mirrors how nature has cleaned for billions of years but refined through science for modern needs.

By selecting the right biotech solutions, companies can reduce environmental impact, improve cleaning efficacy, and lower long-term costs. But doing so means asking the right questions, looking beyond the label, and working with partners who understand the science.

Sustainable cleaning isn’t about switching products, it’s about adopting smarter technologies that serve both people, businesses and the planet. 

James Nayler os head of sales at Biological Preparations

For more information, visit biologicalpreparations.com/

TEL: 07974700978