Environmental protection

Product roadmaps - WCs

As part of our work on Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP), we are developing ten product roadmaps to reduce the environmental impacts across the life cycle of a range of priority products, including WCs.

Why WCs?

Evidence shows that, at an EU-25 level, housing – which includes buildings, construction and appliances – accounts for 20-35 percent of all environmental impacts. (Source: European Commission (2006): Environmental Impact of Products).

Within this broader category we know that, across their life cycle, WCs can generate significant environmental impacts, particularly water consumption during the ‘in use’ stage.

Scope of the roadmap

The WCs roadmap currently focuses on water flushing WCs within the domestic sector. The roadmap covers WC bowls, cisterns and  associated flushing mechanisms. Waterless composting toilets are outside the scope of the roadmap.

Improving sustainability

We will develop actions to address the sustainability impacts that occur across the life cycle of WCs where evidence shows this would be most effective.

In developing the WCs roadmap, we are keen to work collaboratively with a broad range of stakeholders.

Current activities

A report detailing the current status of the roadmap has been prepared to coincide with the publication of the Progress Report on Sustainable Products and Materials.

Impacts and consumption trends

Environmental impacts:
  • main environmental impact of WCs is the water used during their operation.
  • estimated that, in 2006, the water used by WCs in the UK was 2002 Megalitres per day.
  • flushing of WCs accounts for 30 percent of water consumption in domestic households.
  • WCs do not directly use energy during their operation, but there is embodied energy associated with the water used by WCs.
UK consumption trends:
  • estimated that by 2005, every household in the UK had at least one WC and that 75 percent of all new build households had at least one en-suite bathroom, which by definition includes an additional WC.
  • 62 percent of existing UK housing has high flush volume WCs (flush volumes greater than 6 litres).
  • dual flush WCs are growing in popularity, with the market currently dominated by dual 6/4 and 6/3 litres flush WCs.


Further information

Page last modified: 10 July 2008

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs