With the help of their amazing distributor network, Robert Scott’s P-Wave® brand has now placed over one million of its NHS England branded urinal mats in men’s washrooms across the country, from pubs, offices and restaurants, to shopping malls and stadiums.
“According to the Office for National Statistics there are over 25 million men in England and we estimate that at least a quarter use a urinal once a day, so our 30 day urinal screens are taking this essential health message – “Blood in your pee? Contact your GP practice” – to many millions of men every day,” says P-Wave Brand Manager Mark Wintle at Robert Scott.
“Our unique partnership with NHS England began 18 months ago – as part of a major earlier cancer diagnosis drive. Diagnosing cancer early means it is easier to treat and can save lives, which is why NHS England chose to collaborate with P-Wave, urging men to be aware of changes in their bodies and to contact their GP practice if they notice symptoms that could be a sign of cancer. We are proud to have played such an important role in encouraging men to consult their GPs if they see blood in their urine, with our specially branded Slant6 urinal and trough screens.
“The campaign has gained huge momentum as many large businesses have come on board to support this important and potentially life-saving initiative. We are thrilled that this ever-growing group of partners includes Sodexo, phs Group, Balfour Beatty. Mitchells & Butlers, and even Manchester United football club. The more men see the message, the more effective the campaign becomes.”
Literally saving lives
“It is time to put an increasing focus on the washroom as a centre for wellbeing and men’s health,” says Mark Wintle, “and there have already been many success stories as result of this unique NHS partnership initiative.”
Cancer survivor Berry Mulder (pictured) credits the NHS England message seen on a P-Wave urinal mat in a Marks and Spencer store in Bristol with helping to save his life. After reading the prompt, he sought medical advice and was later diagnosed and successfully treated for testicular cancer. Now more than six months cancer-free, Berry reached out to the P-Wave team to express his gratitude, saying: “Dear P-Wave, I’d like to thank you and the NHS from the bottom of my heart – because you probably saved my life”.
Part of delivering on an ESG strategy
While the health and wellbeing benefits of P-Wave’s NHS partnership are obvious, there is another positive aspect to the company’s biodegradable urinal screens – making them a must for facilities managers who need to tick as many ESG boxes as possible.
“Sustainability is important to us, and our Slant6 and Trough urinal mats are made from recyclable plastic, which is a good start,” says Mark Wintle. “But here’s the inconvenient truth: after a month in a busy public loo, no one wants to recycle a urinal mat. The intention is there, but where is the reality? Unless incinerated, they will likely end up in landfill. It’s not glamorous – but it is the reason we had to think beyond the recycling bin.
“For several years we have been incorporating EcoPure® into our urinal mats during manufacturing. It is a clever organic additive which does not change the way they perform while in use, and doesn’t affect their shelf. But once they’re in landfill? That’s when the magic happens.
“EcoPure attracts microbes and accelerates natural biodegradation. Unlike oxo-degradable plastics (which break into harmful microplastics), EcoPure-treated plastics fully biodegrade – safely and responsibly. No toxins, no microplastic soup – just CO2, methane, and finally, nutrient-rich soil biomass.
“Since 2019, we have been independently testing our mats at Eden Research Laboratory in the United States, under ASTM D5511 – a test designed to simulate landfill conditions. The latest results show that after six years, our urinal mats are 85% biodegraded and are still breaking down. That’s not just clever chemistry, it’s proof that even the dirtiest of products (literally) can be part of a cleaner future.
“We chose to use EcoPure not because it was the easy option, but because it was the right one. Our urinal mats already led the market in design and fragrance performance, so adding sustainability to the mix was the natural next step.”
Award-winning campaign
P-Wave’s body awareness partnership with NHS England won the Marketing Campaign of the Year category at the 24th European Office Product Awards in Amsterdam in March 2025.
https://www.p-wave.co.uk/pages/nhs-partnership
Video:
Fin Scott from NHS England and cancer survivor Berry Mulder.
- By Jonny Sharp