SUSTAINABLE BEST PRACTICES Subject of Proposed Textiles Standard

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Written by Staff

W. CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. — Interested parties are invited to join in the development of a proposed new ASTM International standard that will identify and define sustainable best management practices that are used in commercial laundry facilities to reduce their impact on the environment.

ASTM WK35985, Practice for Sustainable Laundry Best Management Practices, is being developed by Subcommittee D13.40 on Sustainability of Textiles under the jurisdiction of ASTM International Committee D13 on Textiles.

According to Gary D. Gramp, Textile Rental Services Association, and chairman of the task group developing ASTM WK35985, the commercial laundry industry has made a commitment to sustainability. "We are looking to further reduce our carbon footprint and enhance our environmental stewardship by developing ASTM WK35985," says Gramp. "Our goal is to encourage the implementation of best management practices for sustainability at all commercial laundry facilities."

Gramp says that the methodology contained in ASTM WK35985 for assessing best management practices will be used in the commercial laundry industry to certify that the laundry process of a given establishment is sustainable and compliant to the standard. Areas to be covered in the proposed standard include:

• Water reuse technology;
• Boiler heat recovery;
• Wastewater heat recovery;
• Environmentally friendly low temperature detergents;
• Nonylphenol ethoxylate-free detergents;
• Wastewater pretreatment (mechanical);
• Advanced wastewater treatment;
• Energy audits;
• Energy-efficient lighting;
• Solar energy;
• Recycling;
• Fleet optimization;
• Fleet vehicle alternative fuels;
• Spill prevention plan; and
• Preventative boiler maintenance.

In addition to owners of commercial laundry facilities, Gramp says that potential stakeholder groups for ASTM WK35985 would include users of reusable textiles in the restaurant, hospitality and healthcare industries; government agencies and environmental organizations. The subcommittee welcomes representatives from all parties to participate in its work on ASTM WK35985. ASTM Staff Contact: Jennifer Rodgers, Phone: 610-832-9694; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.