Earlier this month Green Lodging News reported that University of New Mexico Health Sciences researchers have detected microplastics in human brains at much higher concentrations than in other organs—and the plastic accumulation appears to be growing over time, having increased 50 percent over just the past eight years.
Microplastics—tiny bits of degraded polymers that are ubiquitous in our air, water and soil—have lodged themselves throughout the human body, including the liver, kidney, placenta and testes, over the past half century.
The constant use and laundering that hotel fabrics endure result in a vast amount of unavoidable synthetic textile shedding, contributing to the increase in microplastic pollution in our environment. Fibers that shed from synthetic fabrics during manufacturing, use, laundering, and disposal are the most prevalent form of microplastic pollution found in all environments worldwide.
CiCLO Technology
Green Lodging News has reported several times about the use of CiCLO technology by Blue Ridge Hotel Textiles. When blended with CiCLO technology, synthetic fibers such as polyester and nylon maintain durability and high performance but can also biodegrade at rates similar to wool, reducing the long-term environmental impact of synthetic microplastic pollution. In January Blue Ridge Hotel Textiles introduced a new line of pillows and blankets crafted with CiCLO biodegradable polyester fiber. Last year, Blue Ridge Hotel Textiles announced CiCLO biodegradable polyester as its core down alternative fiber.
According to Blue Ridge Hotel Textiles, its CiCLO products, combined with its proprietary 100 percent cotton fabric shells, will biodegrade in commercial landfills and waste recycling waterways in three to four years versus 200 to 500 years for polyester fibers that are widely used in hotels today.
Intrinsic Advanced Materials, LLC, a Parkdale, Inc. company, is the maker of CiCLO.
BOKSER Adopts CiCLO
Having reported so much on the work of Blue Ridge Hotel Textiles, I was pleased to see that BOKSER Textiles, a leading provider of hospitality textiles, has also announced the adoption of CiCLO technology. The company’s new Shoreline Collection of Top Sheets is made from recycled polyester and infused with CiCLO. Bokser Textiles has begun the rollout of The Shoreline Collection top sheets at select GLō by Best Western branded hotels.
“Partnering with Intrinsic to bring their cutting-edge CiCLO technology to the hospitality industry helps us take a big step forward in protecting our planet for generations to come,” said Ed Guzek, President of BOKSER.
“Through our work with BOKSER, we will deliver the luxury of sleeping on high-quality, sustainable bedding while simultaneously moving the industry towards a better future,” added Hector Torres, Global Sales Director, Home & Hospitality at Intrinsic Advanced Materials.
Kudos to Blue Ridge Hotel Textiles and BOKSER Textiles for taking these important steps.
Drying Time Reduced
One bonus benefit of sheets made with CiCLO technology is a reduction in drying time. They require 28 percent less energy to launder than 60 percent cotton/40 percent polyester sheets.
According to University of New Mexico Health Sciences researchers, plastic production around the world continues unabated, but even if it were halted tomorrow, it would be a ticking timebomb. Because it can take decades for existing polymers to decay into microscopic particles, concentrations of micro- and nano-plastics in the environment will continue to grow for years to come.
When purchasing new sheets, pillows, and blankets for your guestrooms, be sure to factor in their potential for adding to the growing volume of microplastics in the environment—and in all of us.
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