The relationship between UKHospitality and the Textile Services Association (TSA), which represents commercial laundries, is becoming even closer, as the latest meeting between the two associations agreed a number of sustainability targets and action points.
The Round Table events started after the pandemic, with the lockdowns emphasising just how much the hospitality and laundry industries depend on each other. The latest event took place in London on 31 July at Regus, Golden Cross House, WC2. Attendees included representatives from major hospitality organisations such as Accor, Center Parcs, Fraser Hospitality, Hilton, IHG, Premier Inn and Travelodge. Mark Chapman, founder and CEO of the Zero Carbon Forum, also attended.
Discussions centred around both UKHospitality’s and the commercial laundry industry’s sustainability roadmap. The TSA’s presentation on its plan for a carbon calculator for laundry was greeted enthusiastically, with attendees keen to be represented in the technical groups that will contribute to making the data more bespoke for both industries. On sustainable laundry procurement, the TSA and the Zero Carbon Forum plan to look into suitable tender questions for the forum to display.
Other plans include a TSA-hosted webinar for housekeepers on linen loss, talking about how to educate staff on the importance of looking after textiles. This follows the success of the TSA’s training initiative based around its ‘Pasha the Pillowcase’ animations. The TSA’s ‘Infinite Textiles’ scheme not only focuses on recycling and reusing end of primary use linens but also on extending the life of the linen and reducing loss. The accreditation scheme was welcomed by the hotel brands as a method of recognising those laundries making the commitment to textile circularity.
Other topics included the removal of single use plastics from the laundry process, a major joint objective for UKH and the TSA. The meeting also discussed potential future ‘greener’ textiles, which may include fibres made from bamboo; and agreed to work together on a textile working group. The TSA also agreed to produce a statement underlining that hospitality laundry doesn’t create a significant microplastic issue.
The next UKHospitality TSA Round Table is on 24 September 2024 at the NEC Crown Plaza, Birmingham.
