Savvy Jan/San Buyers Target Towel, Tissue Tech

According to jan/san distributors across the country, end user customers are becoming savvier with their purchases. Budget restrictions, staffing challenges, and sustainability initiatives are all impacting product and equipment buy-in. As a result, there is a growing focus on technology, connectivity, and productivity claims. 

To outline some of the innovations making an impact on towel and tissue products, as well as their dispensing counterparts, Sanitary Maintenance reached out to industry manufacturers for insights on purchasing trends. 

How are smart dispensers with usage tracking and IoT connectivity reshaping purchasing decisions in the restroom paper/dispenser market? 

Ross — Dispensers featuring this type of technology are changing the way organizations think about their restroom paper and dispenser systems. Instead of relying on habit, price, or outdated stocking routines, facility teams can now tap into real-time insights pertaining to product levels, traffic patterns, and service needs. This kind of visibility makes it easier to see exactly how much product is being used and when.  

Teams can order more accurately, avoid unnecessary restocking, and build schedules around actual demand rather than guesswork. Once organizations get a clearer picture of how their restrooms operate day to day, it becomes easier to prevent runouts, reduce waste, and deploy labor where it really matters. As this shift continues, Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled dispensers are becoming more than just modern hardware upgrades. They’re evolving into strategic tools that help facilities evaluate, select, and manage the systems that keep restrooms running smoothly. 

What role does sensor-based dispensing technology play in reducing waste and improving hygiene in restroom facilities?  

Ferge — Sensor-based dispensing fundamentally shifts restroom management from reactive to proactive. It boosts both hygiene quality and waste reduction efforts by providing unprecedented real-time visibility into usage patterns and supply levels.  

The real power comes from combining data-driven cleaning with high-capacity dispensing systems. Together, this pairing enables staff to extend the time between refills, reduces labor burdens, and prevents overstock and waste—turning refills from guesswork into operational excellence.  

This combination also minimizes waste by matching supply levels to actual demand patterns while maximizing dispenser efficiency between servicing. More importantly, consistency builds trust. With users likely to leave a bad review or avoid a business following a poor restroom experience, this real-time visibility prevents negative experiences before they even happen.  

Ross — Sensor-based dispensing technology is making it much easier for facility teams to cut waste and support better hygiene. With real-time visibility into product levels, usage patterns, and device performance, teams can service restrooms exactly when they need attention instead of sticking to rigid schedules. This shift helps eliminate unnecessary checks and prevents premature refills, which are common habits that can leave up to 20 percent of a roll unused.  

Cleaners often choose to overservice rather than risk a runout, but with precise alerts that show which restrooms actually require attention, that trade-off disappears. Teams can focus their time where it really matters, leading to more efficient labor, less consumable waste, and dispensers that stay stocked. The outcome is a cleaner, better managed environment where guests consistently have the soap and towels they need to wash and dry their hands effectively. 

What emerging technologies are most promising for improving restroom paper efficiency?  

Ferge — The most exciting developments center on connected systems and occupancy intelligence. Dispensers that track usage patterns and sensors that monitor foot traffic are reshaping how facilities approach paper product management.  

Equally important is dispensing itself. One-at-a-time dispensing mechanisms prevent overuse by limiting how much product users can grab at once—reducing waste while maintaining supply. Paired with compressed towel technology, facilities can serve more guests between refills.  

Product design matters, too. Selecting vendors that prioritize renewable, recycled, and certified compostable materials—with packaging made from paper or cardboard rather than plastic—reduces environmental impact without sacrificing performance. The combination of smart dispensing, efficient products, and sustainable materials ensures optimal efficiency, cost, and environmental responsibility simultaneously.  

What strategies have been effective for minimizing downtime and out-of-stock situations for paper products? 

Ferge — Effective facility maintenance treats supply management as an operational discipline, not just a box-checking task. Start by understanding a facility’s unique needs, such as peak times and traffic flows. This often reveals whether current solutions are adequate, or if investing in automated, high-capacity systems is the right choice. While there will be an upfront investment, these systems ensure efficiency and save money in the long run.  

From there, help customers establish clear protocols with cleaning staff—define roles and communicate priorities. When teams understand why certain restrooms need to be prioritized and feel equipped to tackle unexpected challenges, facilities shift from scrambling to prevention.  

Lastly, implement regular check-ins across parties. Track what’s working and what isn’t with end user customers, and use the insights gained to refine workflows. The goal isn't a one-size-fits-all system. It’s a customized strategy that accounts for a facility's specific demands and the staff’s capacity to execute it consistently.  

How important is sustainability (recycled content, FSC certification, reduced plastic) in toilet tissue and paper towels? 

Schulz — Now more than ever, facility decision makers want sustainable options for restroom tissue products, whether it's driven by company goals, purchasing requirements, or regulations. Advances in technology and supply chain have resulted in high-quality products with sustainability features, including high-recycled content, compressed packaging, certifications like Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) that helps support responsible forestry, and reduced plastic packaging. 

What, if any, innovations in biodegradable or compostable paper products are gaining traction in commercial restroom settings? 

Schulz — As facility managers face increasing pressure to do more with less, restroom products are innovating to help meet that need. Many compostable paper products are available in the market today; innovations in toilet tissue and paper towels often deliver an efficiency or waste reduction benefit. Examples include reduced plastic in product and packaging designs, compressed packages, delivery systems that minimize waste, and connected 'smart' systems. Efficiency and sustainability go together, so innovations that reduce waste and effort have positive impacts, too.