It was 12 and one-half years ago that Green Lodging News first reported on a supplier-driven textile recycling program. It was then that Valley Forge Fabrics introduced its FRESH: Fabrics Redefining Environmental Standards (for) Hospitality program. FRESH fabrics are made with synthetic yarns derived from post-industrial and post-consumer recycled products. Because of their unique construction, FRESH fabrics are recyclable. As part of the FRESH launch, Valley Forge promised the pickup and delivery of FRESH fabrics to a recycling facility at the end of their life cycle.
Fortunately, textile recycling did not stop with Valley Forge Fabrics and over the years other companies have made similar announcements. Earlier this year, for example, Cintas Corp. announced a collaboration with JW Marriott, part of Marriott International, Inc. JW Marriott properties in the United States participated in a garment-recycling program managed by Cintas that resulted in the recycling of approximately 10,000 uniforms. They were shredded by Leigh Fibers, Inc. and the fibers repurposed for future use.
This past week, an important announcement was made by uniform maker Noel Asmar Group. The company, which received the 2019 ISPA Innovate of the Year Award for their collection of sustainable uniforms made from recycled plastic bottles, revealed their latest sustainability initiative, Hospitality Lifecycle—sustainable textile recycling for hotels and spas.
A Way to Recycle Uniforms, Robes, Towels & Sheets
Hospitality Lifecycle is an initiative to provide hotels and spas access to practical, cost effective solutions to safely and securely dispose of used uniforms, robes, towels, and sheets through global recycling experts like Noel Asmar Group’s North American partner, Debrand.
Debrand’s eagerness to collaborate with an “out-of-the-box” mindset made them a fitting partner. Throughout this process, curiosity drove Noel to ask properties what they were doing with their expired uniforms. It became clear that companies don’t have established policies for end-of-life textiles. Noel was committed to finding a one-stop service provider for hotels and spas to manage their textile waste. Noel Asmar Group partnered with Debrand to bring Hospitality Lifecycle to life within the United States and Canada.
With an intimate knowledge of textile recycling capabilities and innovation, Debrand understands the challenges and barriers facing the apparel and textile industries. They provide knowledge and services for high profile clients across North America including: UPS, Air Canada, Lululemon, Aritzia and other established brands. They are committed to extend the useful life of recycled goods and look for creative ways to use the recycled product. Upcycling recycled material provides the opportunity to create something new and useful such as dog beds, filler for furniture cushions, and insulation for walls to name a few.
How does Hospitality Lifecycle work? End-to-end services are provided by Debrand on a cost per pound basis, making it easy to forecast and manage.
Hospitality Lifecycle Process
- Box and ship products directly to Debrand, no minimums or maximums.
- Debrand weighs, processes, and sorts the textiles to allow them to recycle, upcycle, or destroy products safely and securely.
- Debrand provides a monthly or quarterly report on submitted goods from each company.
To learn more about the Hospitality Lifecycle program, visit NoelAsmar.com or to schedule an interview with Noel Asmar contact lifecycle@noelasmar.com. For those interested in becoming global partners contact lifestyle@noelasmar.com.
Just as it is critical to participate in programs offered by organizations such as Clean the World, so too is it critical to send used uniforms, robes, towels and sheets for recycling through an organization such as Debrand.
Green Lodging News Adds Dispenser Amenities Video to Website
Green Lodging News has added a new vendor video to its Vendor Videos section. The video from Dispenser Amenities details why dispensers are a superior option to individualized plastic amenity bottles for the vanity and shower. The video includes testimonials from travelers. “I can’t understand why every hotel wouldn’t do this,” one says. “It is easier to use,” says another. The video explains how a 100-room hotel operating at an average annual occupancy could keep 51,000 small amenity bottles out of the landfill each year by using dispensers. “It is great for the environment and great for me,” one traveler says. The video explains that a hotel can reduce related costs up to 70 percent by switching to dispensers. To view the video, visit our Vendor Videos section.
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 (813) 510-3868, 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 (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
Get in the Green Suppliers Spotlight!
Green Lodging News, lodging’s leading environmental news source, announces the launch of Green Suppliers Spotlight, an e-blast to 21,436 subscribers that features the lodging industry’s leading green products and services. The e-blast features multiple vendors—unlike the current Green Supplier Spotlight that allows one supplier to “own” the Green Lodging News subscriber list for one e-blast. (Click here for a Green Suppliers Spotlight sample.)
Green Suppliers Spotlight is published weekly on Thursdays to general managers, owners, management companies, directors of sustainability, directors of engineering, facilities managers and many others who are either in purchasing positions or who influence purchasing decisions. Suppliers of green products and services throughout North America and beyond are invited to participate in the e-blast. (Minimum two suppliers per e-blast.) Green Suppliers Spotlight was created to give vendors an opportunity to reach a high number of industry purchasers at a very low cost—as low as $200 per e-mail. (Click here for rate sheet.)
Those advertising in Green Suppliers Spotlight can include up to 100 words, one image, contact information and multiple links to their website in their ad. At the end of each month, a report will be sent to each supplier with information on delivered e-mails, opens and click-throughs.
Planning Advertising for 2019 or 2020?
Green Lodging News is accepting reservations for advertising spots for 2019 and 2020. Many excellent spots are available on our new website and in the weekly e-mail newsletter. Many Green Supplier Spotlight dates are also available. Interested in receiving a 2019 or 2020 media kit? Be sure to contact me as soon as possible at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at editor@greenlodgingnews.com. Media kits can also be accessed by clicking here. Thank you to all those companies that consistently support Green Lodging News.
Newsletter & Green Supplier Spotlight Circulation
The circulation of our weekly e-newsletter and Green Supplier Spotlight currently stands at 21,436. Thank you to our new subscribers for signing up. Be sure to encourage your colleagues to do the same. There are “subscribe” links on the Green Lodging News home page. You may also e-mail editor@greenlodgingnews.com to be added to our list.
Green Lodging News & Social Media
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As always, I can be reached at editor@greenlodgingnews.com.
