Improving Your Sustainability Within Your Laundry Operation

Are you looking to make your laundry business more sustainable? Or maybe you’re just looking to save some money on your energy and water bills?

Whatever the case, we’ve put together this guide to making your laundry operations more sustainable. 

1.    Opt For Energy Efficient Appliances

Investing in energy efficient washing machines and dryers is a good starting point for making your laundry operation more sustainable and eco-friendlier. 

The latest appliances are designed to use less water and energy, bringing down your business’s carbon footprint. Opt for appliances with high energy efficiency ratings and advanced features such as sensors that optimise detergent and water usage. 

2.    Switch To Renewable Energy Sources

To really go the extra mile and significantly reduce your carbon footprint, transition to renewable energy sources such as solar or wind power. Consider installing solar panels on site with your laundry operation.

3.    Use Water Saving Technologies

Invest in water saving technologies such as high efficiency washing machines and water reclaim systems that capture and filter water for reuse. In addition to saving water, installing filters to prevent the release of microfibres and microplastics is also key. Implementing these changes not only reduces water consumption but also minimises the environmental impact of wastewater discharge. 

4.    Choose Environmentally Friendly Detergents

Choose detergents that are biodegradable and free from harmful chemicals. Avoid Perc which is an unhealthy and polluting detergent. Instead look for new methods of cleaning such as Wet Cleaning or Ozone Cleaning. Environmentally friendly ensure that harmful substances do not find their way into the water supply, promoting a healthier ecosystem. 

5.    Regularly Schedule Machine Maintenance

Ensuring that your laundry equipment is well-maintained is crucial for sustainability. Regularly clean lint traps, inspect hoses, and perform preventative maintenance on your commercial washing machines and dryers. 

Washing machines in hard water areas can be prone to limescale, this can accumulate and restrict the passage of water and impact on the equipment’s reliability and limit the efficiency of the heating element. This will mean that more energy is required to heat the same amount of water. Limescale can also interfere with internal sensors that manage the temperature and the flow of water and cleaning products, leading to further inefficiencies and wastage. 

6.    Educate Your Employees

Educate your staff about the importance of sustainable laundry practices. Encourage them to be mindful of their actions, such as turning off equipment when not in use. 

7.    Track As You Go

Implement key performance indicators (KPIs) to track energy and water consumption, detergent usage, and waste generation. Track and reduce all these factors to maximise your sustainability. 

8.    Upgrade Your Dryers

Old, worn-out dryers are prone to leaking hot air, becoming clogged with lint, and wasting energy with inefficient drying techniques. Modern dryers are designed with a range of features that have a huge impact on efficiency including fully insulated cabinets, trans-axial airflow, incoming air preheat system, and self-cleaning lint screens. 

If you’re looking for new sustainable commercial laundry machines, GA Commercial can help.

We can advise on the best machines for your commercial laundry set up and help you reduce your carbon footprint and boost your sustainability practices with water saving technology and our auto-dosing systems. To learn more, get in touch with our team today.