Packaging
Biom’s packaging shows high sustainability by minimizing virgin and single-use materials. The wipes come in lightweight refill pouches made of recyclable #2 plastic (HDPE), and these refills load into a refillable dispenser instead of disposable tubs. The dispenser is a durable ABS container (BPA/BPS-free) designed for lifetime use, so customers buy it once and continue refilling.
This approach drastically cuts plastic waste (the brand reports an ~85% reduction in packaging plastic) and encourages circular reuse. Biom also uses relatively eco-friendly packaging inks and materials (e.g. likely cardboard shipping boxes) and is Certified Plastic Neutral™ (meaning it offsets any plastic it does use).
Ingredient Sustainability
Biom’s products use predominantly sustainable, plant-derived materials, with minimal reliance on unsustainable inputs. The wipe substrates are 100% plant-based fibers (viscose from sustainably grown wood pulp) (no polyester or plastic fibers) and the new Flushable Wipes are made of pure cellulose that safely disintegrates. These natural fiber sources are renewable and home-compostable, avoiding the biodiversity and microplastic concerns of synthetic fabrics. The wipe formulas are also built from renewable ingredients. For example, the All-Purpose and Flushable Wipes formula consists of water, organic aloe vera leaf juice, Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate (a plant-based cleaning agent), and a few mild, biodegradable preservatives (benzyl alcohol, dehydroacetic acid, benzoic acid, sorbic acid) plus a citrate buffer. The scented versions simply add a small amount of natural essential oil (e.g. grapefruit or lavender). Similarly, the Hand Sanitizing Wipes use 65% organic ethanol (from plants) with water, aloe, and glycerin (no petrochemical solvents or chlorine compounds. All of these ingredients are either botanical or rated safe and have relatively low environmental persistence. Importantly,
Biom avoids ingredients with known sustainability red flags: there’s no palm oil (Polyglyceryl-4 Caprate is usually coconut-derived), no hard-to-regenerate wild-harvested extracts, and no persistent synthetic polymers. The aloe is even certified organic, and the brand claims to use closed-loop production to recover and reuse resources during manufacturing, further reducing ecological impact.
Energy Use and Footprint
In terms of energy use and carbon footprint, Biom shows awareness but not a comprehensive strategy, which is typical of an emerging brand. On the plus side, Biom manufactures its wipes in the UK and USA, which implies shorter supply chains for its primary markets (avoiding the long-distance shipping from Asia that many wipe brands rely on) and suggests that production likely meets higher environmental standards (e.g. UK plants often have stricter pollution controls than factories in developing countries). The refill model also reduces the shipping weight and volume per use (you’re not repeatedly transporting heavy plastic canisters), indirectly cutting transportation emissions. However, Biom has not announced any use of renewable energy in production or a carbon neutrality goal. We’ve seen no evidence of the brand offsetting its carbon emissions or conducting life-cycle carbon assessments
Waste Management
Biom excels at waste reduction and circular principles, achieving what the rubric would consider top-tier performance in this area. The cornerstone is its refillable system: by selling wipes as refills for a permanent dispenser, Biom avoids the endless stream of disposable plastic tubs that most wipes come in. This dramatically cuts down on single-use waste, as evidenced by the brand’s data (customers see an “85% reduction of plastic in the packaging” when substituting Biom for conventional wipes). Biom’s wipes themselves are also designed to leave no trace. They contain no plastic fibers and are certified home-compostable (TÜV Austria Home Compost certification), meaning they biodegrade completely in home compost conditions within about 2–4 weeks. This is far beyond the industry norm and ensures that even if the wipes are tossed in trash, they break down quickly in landfills. All these efforts align with “comprehensive refill programs” and “circular economy principles” expected of brands in the highest waste management tier. Biom also takes an innovative approach by making its wipes multi-purpose (one wipe replaces separate surface cleaners, hand wipes, etc.), and by planning to use recycled materials in the dispenser, further closing the loop.
Business Model
Biom’s business model shows a strong commitment to sustainability, though with a couple of typical exceptions. Unlike fast-paced brands that churn out new products or seasonal collections, Biom has a focused, evergreen product line: their core offerings are the dispenser and three types of wipes (All-Purpose, Hand Sanitizing, Flushable) with a few scent variations. They are not constantly pushing new, trendy items. In fact, product introductions have been limited (e.g. a one-time limited-edition holiday wipe scent). This aligns with a model that avoids overconsumption. Biom also emphasizes refills over one-off sales (even offering subscription discounts), which encourages customers to reuse and only replenish as needed, rather than stockpiling new plastic containers.Biom’s only slight deviation from the pure slow-consumption model is the existence of occasional new scents or bundles (e.g. holiday packs), but these are limited rather than a core strategy.
