When a nursery group wins a King’s Award for Sustainable Development, every operational decision matters.
From food sourcing and waste reduction to energy usage and learning environments, sustainability becomes more than a policy. It becomes part of the culture.
That is why Tops Day Nurseries choosing the SNOAP Refillable Soap Dispenser System across every nursery and head office is such an important moment — not just for SNOAP, but for sustainable childcare in the UK.
The decision reflects something much bigger than switching soap systems.
It reflects a growing institutional shift towards smarter, lower-waste operational systems that support:
- hygiene
- sustainability
- cost efficiency
- education
- and healthier environments for children
For nurseries searching for a sustainable soap dispenser nursery solution, the Tops rollout provides a real-world example of how environmental responsibility and practical operations can work together.
Why Nurseries Are Reconsidering Traditional Liquid Soap
For decades, liquid soap has been treated as the default option in schools and nurseries.
But many childcare settings are beginning to question whether that system still makes sense in a world increasingly focused on:
- single-use plastic reduction
- ESG commitments
- carbon reduction
- sustainable procurement
- and operational efficiency
Traditional liquid soap systems often rely on:
- single-use plastic bottles
- disposable refill cartridges
- high transport emissions due to water-heavy formulations
- excessive product waste
- detergent-based formulations that can be harsh on skin
In high-frequency handwashing environments like nurseries, those issues scale quickly.
A multi-site nursery chain can go through thousands of plastic soap containers every year.
That creates:
- unnecessary waste
- higher procurement frequency
- more deliveries
- increased storage requirements
- and larger environmental footprints
This is where refillable systems are beginning to attract serious attention.
What Is the SNOAP Refillable Soap Dispenser System?
The SNOAP Refillable Soap Dispenser System was designed to rethink how handwashing works.
Instead of transporting water around the country in disposable bottles, SNOAP uses solid soap bars inside a refillable dispenser system.
The dispenser gently grates the soap into a fine powder — known as SNOAP — which users combine with water in their hands to create a rich lather.
The system combines:
- the convenience of dispenser-based washing
- the sustainability advantages of solid soap
- and the lower-waste benefits of refillable infrastructure
Unlike many liquid systems, the dispenser itself is designed to be refilled forever with zero single-use plastic.
Each refill uses solid bars rather than disposable liquid cartridges.
For institutions focused on reducing waste streams, this changes the operational model significantly.
Explore the SNOAP Refillable Soap Dispenser System
Why Tops Day Nurseries Adopted SNOAP
Tops Day Nurseries became the first nursery chain in the UK to roll out SNOAP across every nursery and head office location.
In their own sustainability announcement, Tops explained that they were looking for ways to make nurseries:
- safer
- healthier
- and more sustainable
Their blog highlighted several reasons behind the decision, including:
- reducing plastic waste
- lowering environmental impact
- creating cleaner handwashing systems
- improving efficiency
- and supporting sustainability education
Tops described SNOAP as:
“a cleaner, more eco-friendly handwashing solution to children, staff, and families.”
They also recognised the importance of demonstrating sustainable choices in everyday settings, helping children understand that even simple habits can contribute to a greener future.
Soap was creating a lot of waste Blog Edition
You can read the original Tops sustainability article here:
Tops Day Nurseries Leads the Way with SNOAP
The Educational Benefits Nobody Expected
One of the most interesting outcomes from the rollout was something nobody originally planned.
The dispensers began naturally supporting elements of early years learning.
Nursery teams observed children engaging with:
- counting
- sequencing
- motor skills
- cause and effect
- and sensory interaction
Turning the dispenser became part of:
- fine motor development
- coordination
- and practical independence
Staff also noticed opportunities for:
- mathematical language
- quantity recognition
- and science-based exploration
For example:
- powder plus water creating foam
- counting dispenser turns
- understanding “more” and “less”
- and learning through interaction
Importantly, this was not designed as a teaching product.
The educational engagement happened organically through everyday use.
That matters because early years environments increasingly value systems that integrate naturally into learning experiences rather than adding complexity.
Supporting Nursery Sustainability Goals
Sustainability in childcare is no longer viewed as a “nice extra.”
Parents, regulators, investors, and communities increasingly expect organisations to demonstrate environmental responsibility.
For many nurseries, sustainability goals now include:
- reducing single-use plastics
- lowering carbon footprints
- reducing waste
- improving procurement systems
- and teaching environmentally conscious behaviours
SNOAP aligns with many of these objectives because:
- the system is single-use plastic free
- solid bars replace disposable liquid bottles
- bars are lighter and more transport efficient
- and the dispenser is designed for long-term refill use
Compared to traditional liquid systems, solid bars also reduce the amount of transported water.
This matters because liquid soap is largely water by volume, which significantly increases shipping weight and associated emissions.
Institutional buyers are increasingly recognising that operational systems — even soap dispensers — can contribute meaningfully to wider ESG targets.
Hygiene Still Comes First
In nursery settings, hygiene standards are critical.
Any sustainability initiative must still deliver:
- effective handwashing
- easy usability
- consistent dispensing
- and simple maintenance
This is why refillable systems must be practical, not just environmentally appealing.
The SNOAP Refillable Soap Dispenser System supports regular handwashing while also reducing product waste.
Because the dispenser delivers a measured amount of powdered soap, nurseries can avoid excessive overuse often associated with pump dispensers.
For busy childcare environments, consistency matters.
So does ease of use.
The Tops rollout demonstrated that sustainability-focused systems can still work effectively within high-frequency operational settings.
Gentler Washing for Frequent Handwashing Environments
Children and nursery staff wash their hands many times every day.
That means the formulation being used matters.
Many traditional liquid hand washes rely heavily on detergent-based formulations designed primarily around foaming and shelf stability.
SNOAP bars retain naturally occurring glycerine created during the soap-making process.
This helps support a gentler washing experience compared to many harsher detergent-heavy washes.
For nurseries, this can be particularly important during:
- colder months
- high handwashing periods
- and environments where skin comfort matters
Explore the Precious Planet Soap Collection
Cost Efficiency Matters in Multi-Site Operations
Large nursery groups manage operational costs across multiple locations.
Even small changes become significant at scale.
Solid soap systems can reduce:
- packaging waste
- replacement frequency
- transport costs
- and storage requirements
Tops specifically highlighted the long-lasting nature of solid bars as part of the decision-making process.
Their blog noted that:
“Solid soap bars last longer than traditional liquid soap.”
Operational sustainability increasingly depends on systems that reduce both environmental impact and ongoing costs.
This is especially important for education and childcare providers balancing:
- sustainability commitments
- staffing pressures
- and budget management
Why Institutional Adoption Matters
Institutional adoption changes perception.
When sustainability systems are adopted by:
- nurseries
- schools
- offices
- hotels
- and large organisations
…it signals that these systems are practical at scale.
That matters because many consumers still associate refillable systems with inconvenience or compromise.
The rollout by a King’s Award-winning nursery group demonstrates something important:
Refillable systems are becoming operational infrastructure — not niche alternatives.
And as more organisations move towards ESG-led procurement, systems that reduce waste while improving operational efficiency are likely to become increasingly common.
A Small Change That Represents Something Bigger
At first glance, soap dispensers might seem like a small operational detail.
But operational details are where large-scale sustainability shifts actually happen.
Every refillable system adopted instead of a disposable one changes:
- purchasing behaviour
- waste generation
- transport requirements
- and environmental impact
For children growing up in these environments, those systems also shape what “normal” looks like.
That is part of what makes the Tops adoption so significant.
It demonstrates that sustainability does not always require complexity.
Sometimes it starts with everyday systems being redesigned more intelligently.
Final Thoughts
Tops Day Nurseries adopting the SNOAP Refillable Soap Dispenser System across every nursery and head office represents more than a procurement decision.
It reflects a broader movement towards:
- smarter refill systems
- operational sustainability
- lower waste infrastructure
- and environmentally conscious education environments
For nurseries looking for a sustainable soap dispenser nursery solution, the rollout offers a strong real-world example of how sustainability, hygiene, education, and operational practicality can work together.
Join the growing refill movement through the SNOAP Club
Quick Answers
What is a sustainable soap dispenser nursery system?
A sustainable soap dispenser nursery system is a refillable handwashing solution designed to reduce waste, improve efficiency, and lower environmental impact in childcare settings.
Why did Tops Day Nurseries choose SNOAP?
Tops Day Nurseries chose SNOAP to support sustainability goals, reduce plastic waste, improve operational efficiency, and provide a gentler, refillable handwashing system.
Is solid soap more sustainable than liquid soap?
Solid soap generally requires less packaging, less transport weight, and less water than liquid soap systems, making it a lower-impact option in many settings.
Can refillable soap systems work in nurseries?
Yes. The SNOAP Refillable Soap Dispenser System has been rolled out across every Tops nursery and head office location, demonstrating its suitability for high-frequency childcare environments.
Why are nurseries focusing more on sustainability?
Many nurseries are adopting sustainability initiatives to reduce waste, lower emissions, support ESG goals, and help children learn environmentally responsible behaviours from an early age.
