As eco-friendly business practices become more commonplace in practically every industry, those in the laundry and clothing care industry might be asking, how can laundries be more sustainable? While there are several common laundromat environmental issues, such as wastewater and energy use, there are also plenty of green technologies that can be implemented in order to help laundromats and dry cleaners go green.
Read on to see how laundromats and other commercial laundry services can opt for greener standards in their operations.
Energy Use
The major culprit of sustainability issues within the commercial laundry industry is excessive energy use. Washers and dryers both use a significant amount of energy, which is largely due to heating, water, and power demands. However, there are many different things that can be done in order to reduce energy use.
One way to achieve this is to buy high-efficiency commercial laundry equipment. Right now, only high-efficiency washers are available, but although high-efficiency dryer technology isn’t available, laundries can purchase dryers with moisture sensors that stop the machine once the clothing is dry.
Chemicals and Wastewater
Commercial laundromats and dry cleaners use all kinds of chemicals. Certain detergents, colorant agents, and fabric softeners can pose significant environmental hazards to the community around them. When hazardous chemicals are released through significant amounts of wastewater, they can break down surrounding ecosystems and even end up causing health concerns for its nearby community.
Water Usage
The typical washing machine uses around 27 gallons of water per load and as much as 14,000 gallons of water in a year. That’s as much water as a single human will use throughout their entire life. But laundries can reduce their water use easily by purchasing green technologies such as energy-efficient washing machines, which can cut water use by at least half.
Avoiding Major Claims with the FabriCare Advantage Program
The FabriCare Advantage Program can help both businesses and insurance agents in the laundry and dry cleaning industries. This coverage protects dry cleaners, coin-operated/self-service laundromats, and restoration specialists with broad coverage, educational resources, and comprehensive and responsive claims service.
We can also help clients with Pollution Liability insurance, which can provide coverage for pollution-related claims. Due to the nature of their work, dry cleaning establishments and commercial laundry facilities have a host of potential pollution liability exposures, such as spills and wastewater issues, as noted above.
The average costs to clean up a pollution spill could cause major financial, legal, and reputational problems. This is why having the proper insurance coverages can help to limit the damage and provide solutions to potential environmental problems.
About Irving Weber Associates
At Irving Weber Associates, Inc., we understand what it takes to run a successful Dry Cleaner, Coin Operated Laundromat, Linen Supply business, Textile Restoration, or Commercial Launderer, including investing in a comprehensive Insurance Program to ensure that you are financially protected against claims. Our programs offer overall business insurance coverages including General Liability, Property, Site Pollution Liability, Boiler & Machinery Equipment Breakdown, Workers’ Compensation, Business Auto, and many more. For a detailed look at how we can help you safeguard your business with a custom-tailored package, please contact our experts today at (800) 243-1811.