The Paper: Sustainable Products in 2026

In June 2026, Tunley Environmental brought together leaders from a range of product-based businesses for a roundtable discussion on the future of sustainable products. The conversation explored the question of ‘are sustainable products becoming a strategic advantage, or an increasing commercial burden in 2026?’

What we found was a nuanced perspective. Sustainability is still commercially significant, but expectations are becoming more demanding and intricate. Customers, procurement teams and regulators are pushing for verified evidence, improved traceability and a thorough business case to prove their environmental ambition.

The discussion also reinforced that sustainability does not replace the fundamentals of a successful product. Price, quality, availability and trust still take precedence. The opportunity exists in using tools such as Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs), Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), Climate Risk and Resilience Assessments and product data to improve strategy, strengthen procurement conversations and identify both environmental and commercial value.

Organisations will need to establish a more direct connection between sustainability and product design, supply chain visibility, communication, and broader environmental concerns, including water, biodiversity, circularity, and climate resilience, in the future. Those who are capable of transforming verified data into enhanced strategy will be in the best position to generate long-term value.