Towels have a huge impact on the environmental footprint of our industry. It is difficult to imagine how many towels are purchased and thrown away each year. The number has got to be many millions. Most towels currently used are made from 100 percent cotton or some type of cotton/polyester blend. Polyester, of course, is a petroleum-based product. Cotton is sprayed heavily with insecticides, herbicides, fungicides and chemical fertilizers before it ever makes its way into a towel. Most towels are manufactured outside of the United States. Most towels are laundered in hot water, with chemicals, and then dried at high temperatures—over and over again. While some towels are given away to worthy charities at the end of their lives, most end up in landfills.
In doing research for an article on towels, I tried to determine the answer to this question: Is there such a thing as a “green” towel? What I discovered is that there is no simple answer. There are so many factors to consider: where the raw materials come from, what the textile fibers consist of, how and where the towels are manufactured, and whether or not the towel provides any added value once it is washed and dried (e.g., requires less hot water to wash, less time to dry, etc.).
There are currently numerous alternatives to the conventional cotton towel. These include ones made from organic cotton, organic cotton with bamboo, 100 percent bamboo, and MicroCotton. Each of these products has their own strengths and weaknesses from an environmental standpoint. (See my article for additional details.) What they all share in common, for the most part, are price points that are out of reach for most of the industry. In fact, most of these “greener” towels are affordable only to those who own and operate luxury-type properties.
Market Forces Will Determine Pricing
What I was encouraged by in my research is that there are a lot of suppliers who care about the products they are selling and they are working with their manufacturers to increase production volume. Prices eventually will come down—especially if readers like you continue to ask for and purchase environmentally friendlier towels. Maybe someday it will be common to find thirsty, fluffy, organic, bamboo, or MicroCotton towels in every industry segment.
Here are some questions to ask suppliers when shopping for environmentally friendlier versions of the towels you use today:
1. Where are the towels manufactured? What are the working conditions like for those who plant and harvest the cotton? For those who make the towels? Was the cotton grown under Fairtrade conditions? Have you or someone you trust personally visited factories?
2. Did a third party test the towels? For strength and durability? To identify any environmental advantages? Please provide documentation.
3. Are there any particular washing and drying requirements? This is very important.
4. Does the product carry any environmental certification from a third party? If so, what does that certification mean?
5. Are you willing to provide names of satisfied customers?
I am looking forward to hearing from some of you in regard to your experiences with “greener” towels. Call (440) 243-2055 or write to editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
GLN Welcomes Evolve Guest Controls as Founding Sponsor
Green Lodging News welcomes Evolve Guest Controls as a Founding Sponsor. Evolve is a wireless room control system designed to save 30 percent or more on a property’s utility costs as well as offering a return on investment in less than two years. Upon entering the guestroom, the guest initiates control of the lighting, heating/cooling, television and draperies by simply inserting the keycard into the wall-mounted Evolve card reader. When guests leave and remove the card, all devices are turned off and the thermostat is adjusted to a “savings” temperature, thereby eliminating wasteful spending while creating a green environment. The system can be retrofitted and is adaptable to any size room or suite. For more information, e-mail info@eguestcontrols.com, call (800) 233-4454, or go to www.eguestcontrols.com.
GLN Adds Mountain Woods Furniture as Directory Partner
Green Lodging News has added Mountain Woods Furniture as a Green Product & Service Directory Partner. Mountain Woods Furniture, a founding member of the Sustainable Furniture Council, has been committed to green manufacturing since 1991. The company offers a wide selection of American-made, unique log furniture and reclaimed wood designs. Custom pieces to the customer’s specifications are also available. Mountain Woods Furniture’s bedroom furniture was selected for Mountain Living Magazine’s 2008 Natural Dream Home. For additional information, call (970) 221-1041, e-mail dee@mountainwoodsfurniture.com, or go to www.mountainwoodsfurniture.com.
HD Expo, Green Day Coverage
I will be attending the HD 2009 Expo & Conference in Las Vegas from May 13 to 16. Be sure to look for coverage of the events in Green Lodging News. This year, the conference will include a Green Day on May 13.
Green Lodging News Display, Classified Advertising
If you are a supplier selling green products, be sure to call me at (440) 243-2055 to discuss your advertising plans for the remainder of 2009. Several premium spots are currently available. A 2009 media kit is now available by request or by clicking here. Green Lodging News also just added a new Classified Ads section. Click here to check it out! Thank you to all of those companies that consistently support Green Lodging News.
Green Lodging News Blog & Twitter
Be sure to bookmark the Green Lodging News Blog in your browser. The address for the blog is http://greenlodgingnews.blogspot.com. More importantly, participate with your comments. Green Lodging News is also now on Twitter. To follow my postings, go to http://twitter.com/greenlodging. Be sure to add Green Lodging News to those tweets that you follow.
As always, I can be reached at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
