With over 250 toilets across its campuses, in just academic buildings alone, the amount of water used within these toilets has a very large impact on the University’s annual water consumption.

This also has an impact on the University’s Scope 3 carbon emissions (all the emissions that the organisation is indirectly responsible for) which it is trying to reduce.

The University is now working in partnership with hygiene solutions business HSG, who have created Ureco, an eco-friendly innovation that helps prevent costly urinal blockages and unpleasant odours.

It contains an enzyme which breaks down the uric salts and limescale. This results in the formation of a completely harmless and eco-friendly bacterium which eliminates the need for strong chemicals and cleaning agents. Ureco also emits an effective odour-cancelling fragrance which reduces the need for harmful aerosols and air fresheners.

As part of the University’s commitment to sustainability, HSG have also installed water monitoring technology within the washrooms, which allows for detailed monitoring of water use and provides data on the efficiency of the technology.

Helen Rutherford, Head of Campus Facilities Management at Staffordshire University, said: “Water use in our toilets and urinals is not something that we often think about or like to think about, but these systems constantly use a lot of water to ensure that they work correctly and are clean and fresh, even on a quick flush programme.

“We chose Ureco because we wanted to install a technology which didn’t negatively impact the customer experience but also helped save water.

“Ureco allows our Cleaning Service Team to reduce the amount of harmful chemicals which are used on a regular basis, helping the University to fulfil its commitment of being a low chemical institution.”

To find out more about the science behind Ureco, watch here.