In my research for my article on bed linens (sheets and pillow cases) this past week it became clear quite quickly that with linens there is much more than meets the eye when it comes to their sustainability story. Of course I expected as much.
To clearly understand the complete environmental upside to a sheet you have to examine the entire lifecycle of the product—not just what it is made from, although that is of course important as well.
In my article I spoke with folks from Standard Textile, 1888 Mills, Monarch Cypress and Luxurious Organics. For one reason or another, six other companies chose not to return my calls or e-mails, or were just unable to get back to me. I still did my best to include those companies in my article.
When choosing the linens that you buy, to what extent does their green story matter? I would like to know. Whether in-house or through an outside company, you spend a heckuva lot on laundering—labor, chemicals, heating and water. Your choice of linens can have a significant impact on your operational costs and the environment. Is it all about cost and product longevity, or do you also consider environment-related factors when making your linen purchasing decision?
Many Fiber Types Available
Thanks to our industry’s leading suppliers of linens, you do have many choices when it comes to fiber types—cotton, organic cotton, cotton/polyester blends, all-polyester, bamboo, and blends that include content from eucalyptus and beech trees. With the right choice of linens you can save significantly on drying time and other laundry-related costs.
As I discovered, the really cool green stories behind linens involve what is happening behind the scenes. Standard Textile, for example, powers one of its plants entirely with hydroelectric power. And Valley Forge Fabrics takes back linens in its FRESH line for recycling into blankets, pillow inserts, plastics for automotive interiors and various other plastics. FRESH linens are made from 100 percent pre-consumer and post-consumer recycled polyester.
Yes, it is important to wring savings out of your operations through a linen reuse program but try to be just as concerned about where the raw materials for the linens came from, how the linens were made, what they are made of, how what they are made of impacts the true cost of the items, and whether or not the supplier makes it easy to return the items for recycling or reuse.
Our industry consumes an incredible amount of sheets and pillow cases. Do what you can to minimize the environmental cost of your purchasing decisions. And at the end of the linens’ life, if recycling is not an option, reuse it for cleaning and donate what you can to those in need near you.
Got comments about linens? I can be reached at (216) 848-1406, or by e-mail at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
Green Lodging News Adds Preserve as Directory Partner
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Who is Your Sustainability Champion?
Green Lodging News is always looking to profile sustainability champions in our Personnel Profile section. If you would like to nominate someone for this section of Green Lodging News, contact me at (216) 848-1406, or by e-mail at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
Looking for Guest Columnists
Every two weeks Green Lodging News posts a new guest column on its website. (Click here for examples.) The guest column also appears in the weekly e-newsletter. Green Lodging News is currently in need of industry experts to contribute occasional guest columns. Experts may include consultants, architects, designers, suppliers and those who own or operate green lodging establishments. Columns may be articles that take a stance on a particular subject or be strictly educational in nature. Columnists benefit by having their photo included along with a one paragraph description of their company. Interested in writing a column? Contact Glenn Hasek, publisher and editor, at (216) 848-1406, or by e-mail at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
Planning Advertising for 2013/2014?
Green Lodging News is accepting reservations for advertising spots for 2013 and 2014. Many excellent spots are available on the website and in the weekly e-mail newsletter. Many Green Supplier Spotlight dates are also available. Interested in receiving a 2013 or 2014 media kit? Be sure to contact me as soon as possible at (216) 848-1406, or by e-mail at editor@greenlodgingnews.com. Media kits can also be accessed by clicking here. Thank you to all of those companies that consistently support Green Lodging News.
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As always, I can be reached at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
