What sets ReNew apart is its simplicity and reach. It offers a complete, end-to-end solution for hard-to-recycle hygiene products, from hand towels and dispensers to selected types of wipers. Used items are collected, processed and transformed into new materials or goods, helping customers meet zero-waste goals and reduce CO2


emissions. Crucially, the programme even accepts


competitor products in the UK, reinforcing that this is about industry-wide progress, not brand exclusivity.


The programme’s design reflects a clear understanding of customer needs. Waste management in the washroom is often complex, costly and time consuming. ReNew removes much of that burden. Materials are collected through established channels, handled by trusted processors and reintroduced into the circular economy.


For paper towels, much of the processing happens at Kimberly-Clark’s mill in Koblenz, Germany. The site is on track to run on 100% renewable energy by 2029, making the recycling route more sustainable year on year.


In 2024, more than 35 tonnes of post-consumer paper towel waste were recycled through the existing programme. That is the equivalent of saving nearly 800 trees and eliminating 5.58 tonnes of CO2


equivalent. When these materials are


re-made into recycled tissue products, the circular loop becomes complete.


For customers, traceability matters just as much as recycling itself, with reporting requirements continuing to grow and sustainability data that was once optional, now


heavily scrutinised. ReNew provides regular, structured CO2 and waste diversion reporting as part of the service. The figures can be used in ESG updates, internal audits, tender submissions and corporate sustainability disclosures. Cleaning and FM teams gain reliable evidence of their impact, reducing the time spent chasing fragmented waste data from multiple contractors. For organisations facing complex carbon reporting demands, this level of clarity can make a real difference.


ReNew also strengthens compliance. With legislation moving quickly, businesses must stay ahead of new sustainability rules rather than react to them. Waste recovery systems that are traceable, verified and aligned with circularity reduce exposure to risk. The programme


www.tomorrowscleaning.com


is co-funded by Kimberly-Clark Professional and its customers, reflecting a shared-responsibility approach to environmental performance, which makes it easier for cleaning teams to present sustainable choices to clients that are both practical and cost effective.


Customer confidence in the system is already strong. According to recent internal Kimberly-Clark Professional survey data, more than 95% of customers say they would recommend the service. In 2024 alone, combined recovery initiatives diverted more than 250 metric tons of hand towels and 90 metric tons of plastic from landfill. The programme is set to expand into new markets across Europe, with further growth planned into 2026 and beyond.


Setting a high bar


The broader opportunity is that circularity in the washroom creates a framework that can be applied across the built environment. The same thinking that keeps paper towels in the resource loop can influence plastics recovery, wiper recycling, compostable waste solutions and improved material choices across cleaning services. The washroom becomes a starting point for larger sustainability gains, offering a clear, measurable platform for progress that can scale from a single site to an entire estate.


For cleaning teams, this shift represents a chance to lead. Hygiene is still the foundation of the job, but today’s clients also expect environmental performance to be built into every service. Circularity brings both, by reducing waste, cutting carbon, improving operational efficiency and providing tangible evidence of impact. Most importantly, it demonstrates that sustainability doesn’t have to complicate cleaning, rather it can make it smarter.


The washroom may once have been seen as a small corner of a building, but it now stands at the frontline of sustainable FM. By embracing circular systems and the programmes that support them, cleaning providers can help organisations meet their goals while delivering cleaner, greener spaces for everyone who uses them.


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