Sustainability in workplace products is no longer about broad categories, but about understanding the specific product shifts that are shaping demand

Trends in sustainable products move quickly. Keeping up means not only knowing what product ranges are in demand but understanding the nuances within them. Dealers often focus on core eco categories – stationery, cleaning, catering and consumables – but those at the cutting edge of sustainability are looking deeper, identifying specific product shifts that are driving demand.

What to Watch in Paper Trends: Closed Loop

Recycled closed loop paper products are in high demand, driven by ESG reporting and Scope 3 reduction targets. Made from 100% post-consumer waste, these products are increasingly replacing virgin fibre paper entirely.

From a sales perspective, this category is supported by strong alignment with sustainability policies and procurement frameworks. It is also an easy switch for most customers, requiring little to no operational change while offering clear, measurable environmental benefits.

However, there are still barriers. Price perception remains a challenge, with some customers assuming a premium over standard paper. There is also a general lack of understanding around what “closed loop” actually means, which can lead to confusion with standard recycled alternatives.

What to Watch in Consumables: Right-Sizing Packaging Systems

Automated box-sizing systems, void-fill reduction technologies and packaging optimisation tools are gaining traction as businesses look to reduce cost and waste driven by a combination of rising parcel costs, increasing sustainability pressure, and the growth of e-commerce and multi-channel fulfilment models. For dealers, this creates an opportunity to move into more consultative territory. Rather than competing on price per unit, the conversation shifts towards helping customers achieve measurable sustainability outcomes, aligning packaging processes with wider environmental targets.

What to Watch in Cleaning: Concentrated Systems

Sustainability in cleaning is evolving to lead with system-based approaches, particularly refillable and concentrated chemical solutions. Concentrated systems significantly cut down on single-use plastic by replacing multiple ready-to-use bottles with refillable containers, while also reducing transport emissions due to lower volume and weight. This shift reflects a broader move towards resource efficiency, where sustainability is measured not just by product composition, but by how products are delivered, used and disposed of.

What to Watch in Catering: Reusable & Plastic-Free Alternatives

Workplace catering is undergoing a noticeable transition away from single-use products, driven by a combination of regulation, corporate policy and employee expectation. Reusable cup schemes, returnable food containers and compostable packaging are becoming increasingly visible across offices, campuses and public sector environments. However, the transition is not without its challenges. Cost remains a key consideration, particularly when compared to traditional disposable options, and reusable systems often require behavioural change as well as product adoption.