Member Article

Volvo Group UK Ltd adopts Devon waterless urinal tech to reduce emissions impact

Volvo Group UK Ltd is adopting Devon waterless urinal technology at its UK HQ in Warwick, and its Felixstowe Renault Truck Commercials Depot, to help cut CO2 and water waste. The flushless urinals are part of the organisation’s commitment to reach net-zero by 2040, covering direct and energy indirect emissions from operations, purchased goods and services.

The roll-out of the waterless urinals, provided by Exeter-based Smarti Environmental, is set to slash Volvo Group UK Ltd’s carbon footprint from its washrooms by 105kg of CO2 per urinal, per year. The switch from flushing to waterless urinals also prevents 100,000 litres of water from being wasted by every urinal annually.

The latest waterless urinals to be fitted at Volvo Group’s UK operations are the most eco-friendly in the world. In addition to saving water and CO2, the Smarti Environmental Vortex TSV uses an eco-friendly bio-block enzyme ring to make urine PH neutral. Paired with an enzyme spray that eats odours and bacteria for 24 hours – ending the need for harsh chemical cleaners – Smarti’s solution dramatically reduces the energy required to process urine in sewerage treatment, further reducing the environmental impact of their urinals.

Commenting on the installation, Adam Boyes, UK Property & Facility Manager, Volvo Group UK Ltd, said: “As a business, we have set Science Based Targets covering all relevant emissions, from production as well as customer use phase. The environmental footprint from our operations is relatively small compared to that from the use phase of our products. Nevertheless, we are constantly considering climate and the environmental footprint from our industrial activities. As we strive for more sustainable production, we continuously reduce waste and emissions, and are actively looking at ways to optimise water. That’s why, among many other measures, we have chosen to adopt Smarti Environmental’s waterless urinal technology.”

Kimberley Hill, New Business Development Manager at Smarti Environmental, commented: “World leading brands, such as Volvo Group, are increasingly putting carbon-neutralising initiatives at the top of their corporate priority list.

“We hope that Volvo Group’s decision to adopt waterless urinals will make other businesses and organisations think seriously about how they too can cut their impact on the planet. For organisations looking to a Net Zero future, we provide a valuable part of the solution, helping businesses save the planet, one pee at a time.”

Currently, there are around 3.5 million water-supplied urinals in the UK. If all went waterless, that would be equivalent to taking 100,000 diesel cars off the road, at the same time as saving 217 billion litres of water from being treated unnecessarily each year. Switching to waterless urinals also saves up to £1,200 per year for every three urinals in use.

To encourage the move to flushless urinals, Smarti Environmental is offering large organisations with 100 or more urinals within their group, a free washroom trial for 3-months, including free installation of its retro-fit waterless Vortex triple seal valves. Smaller businesses can also benefit from savings of more than 50% compared to the cost of running conventional flushing urinals.

Smarti Environmental’s waterless urinals are used both by private and public sector organisations including the NHS. In addition to cutting costs, water use and emissions, its waterless one-way multi-valve technology stops bad odours and the spread of viruses through the absence of airborne aerosol germs created by flushing urinals. Made from fully recyclable materials, they fit 98% of standard urinals with no need to change urinal bowls.

Used in conjunction with Smarti’s eco-friendly, odour-eating and bacteria/virus busting SteriKleen surface spray, urinal cleaning is reduced to once every 24 hours, consisting of a wipe, spray and walk away process that leaves urinals clean and fresh. This makes switching to waterless urinals simple and easy, enabling businesses to Build Back Better and Greener.

Smarti also uses an in-pipe pipe-pod bio-tablet that breaks down uric acid and bio film proteins during use, lubricating sewerage pipes to prevent blocked pipes. Additionally, Smarti Environmental replaces pipework that has been blocked or partially blocked resulting from the chemical reaction between water and urine, when installing its waterless valves to existing urinal bowls.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Charley .