Sanaway unveils UK’s first unisex hygiene solution for washroom environments

Professional washroom services provider, Sanaway, has launched its new inclusive ‘ONE’ hygiene service, the UK’s first one-stop solution for all washroom environments, especially those outside of the female washroom, where their presence has been mandatory since 1992.

The ‘ONE’ initiative aims to normalise the presence and use of a universal hygiene unit that can be used by everyone who needs them, regardless of whether they use male, female, unisex, or accessible washroom facilities.

The removal of a gender specification (associated with existing washroom hygiene units) also intends to remove the discomfort and stigma some customers experience when discussing hygiene disposal service requirements for their business.

It’s estimated that one in 10 people suffer with urinary incontinence in the UK, and men, women and children can all be affected. Outside the use of hygiene disposal units for female sanitary products, ‘ONE’ units can be used by all people experiencing urinary incontinence issues which may be related to conditions such as the menopause, a stroke, dementia, obesity and prostate cancer, or because of disability and certain neurological conditions. The use of some medications may also cause temporary incontinence issues.

Sanaway’s Co-founder and Director, Patrick Martin said: “Our ethos is to make Sanaway’s services as inclusive as possible. The ONE initiative enables us to support the wider population by providing access to one universal hygiene service that can be used by everyone who needs them.

“Since introducing the service concept to our customers, we’ve received nothing but positive feedback and support for the initiative.

“ONE’ is unique in its approach and delivery, and equally important for our customers, there is no premium attached to the provision of the ONE service, and as always with Sanaway, there is no associated ‘Duty of Care’ charge.”

The ‘ONE’ hygiene disposal unit further enhances the company’s existing auditable Zero Waste to Landfill provision. Sanaway’s ZWTL philosophy is a market leading standard, based on Energy from Waste (EFW) technology, which means it is a sustainable solution for both waste management and energy production. 99.995 per cent of the process is recyclable and all the recyclable elements are removed before the incineration process leaving only 0.005 per cent non-recyclable.

The company’s auditable Zero Waste to Landfill service diverts all of the 50 plus tonnes of waste the Sanaway collects from its customers every year from landfill and contributes towards the power supply for more than 50,000 homes.

Sanaway backs local charity behind prostate cancer mission

To mark the launch of Sanaway’s new ONE service, the company has forged a partnership with Guildford-based charity, The Prostate Project. Run mostly by volunteers, the charity supports local hospitals and the University of Surrey in detecting and treating prostate cancer by funding equipment, cancer research, specialist staff, and patient support. Its fundraising has helped Royal Surrey County Hospital gain international recognition as a leading prostate cancer ‘Centre of Excellence.’

While businesses must legally provide a means of sanitary disposal, even if they employ only a single female staff member, no law requires the same for men. Yet according to The Prostate Project, one in eight men (one in four for black men) will get prostate cancer, making it increasingly important to provide men with access to hygiene disposal units to discreetly dispose of male hygiene products.

Sanaway’s commitment to The Prostate Project is deeply personal. Co-founder and Director Graham Keys father-in-law tragically passed away from prostate cancer in 2000, a loss that fuels the company’s dedication to raising awareness and supporting early diagnosis.

Keys said: “Through our new partnership with The Prostate Project, all ‘ONE’ service users will receive information to display in washrooms on the various risk factors for prostate cancer. The information will also highlight the importance of taking a simple PSA test for early prostate cancer detection, especially for those with one or more risk factors.

“We will also encourage our customers to offer a PSA blood test to male employees via The Prostate Project’s mobile testing facility, The Man Van. My father-in-law was too embarrassed to discuss his symptoms. Early detection could have led to less discomfort and possibly more time with us.

“Caught early, prostate cancer is usually curable. By getting The Prostate Project in front of our customers, we can help raise awareness of their mobile PSA test facility, potentially helping more men get treatment for prostate cancer earlier and ultimately save more lives.”