Question, are you a true advocate of sustainability, do you think you should constantly endeavour to succeed in your sustainable goals? 

Did you answer yes, if so, then I kindly ask you if your list of goals includes some of the following words but not limited to, water filtration, water recycling, low temperature washing, green chemical range and microplastics?

My trepidation for the textile industry began before the lights were switched off at the Lusail Stadium after Gonzalo Montiel scored the winning penalty in the football world cup in Qatar 2022.

Collectively, laundry service providers had to figure out a way to service the requirements of the hundreds of thousands of visitors during the prestigious event.

Various laundry companies, Hotels decided to invest in an expansion program, thus increasing their capacity to process the colossal amounts of linen(s).

Fast forward twelve plus months, the extra capacity still exists but that surge in additional volume has left the shores, so how to fill the void, how do you optimise those spare washing, ironing/drying hours?

Sales and marketing departments of the sizable commercial laundries, which paths have been chosen?

Commitment, professionalism to standards should be the priority, to compromise commercial terms, is this the answer or is there another way?

‘’We embrace sustainability’’!!

Realistically, how many owners of commercial laundries or owners of hotels can say they use those words when it comes to their laundry facilities?

In Qatar, how many water filtration/recycling systems are there in use?

How many have equipment to prevent microplastics entering the waterways and the air we breathe?

How many are willing to openly discuss the merits of using low temperature washing, using specific compositions?

Hoteliers, globally speak about their philosophy on microplastics, acting in so many amazing ways but forget they have a laundry, laundries being one of the worlds largest contributors to the problem, so why not ask the questions?

The answers to the above questions would be interesting and I believe we should ask ourselves why the answers would be negative?

The sales, marketing teams of the laundry service provider, in their brochures, mention various terminologies referring to sustainability, if not, why not?

The buyer, international hotel brands, surely it should be part of the decision making with regards to which laundry service provider they choose?

I was seldom asked by decision makers in hotels about my thoughts on sustainability but I always made sure I spoke about it because it is a natural thought process.

Where will the inspiration come from, to have innovative discussions about how we operate our laundries?

Lavendery are always here to listen, share innovation which is free of charge and if we are willing to suggest such a cause, how wonderful it would be if every one of us did the same thing. Give something back, make the difference to others, these choices are life changing to the extreme of saving a person’s life!!

Lavendery are proud to announce our water filtration/recycling division, what is there to lose having an open conversation, which can lead to commercial and environmental rewards.

My answer to the first question is,’’ Lavendery are advocates of sustainable laundries and we constantly endeavour to succeed in our goals and beyond.

About the author:

Gary Teelay is the Group Operations Manager at Lavendery.