Jul 26, 2016

A new ASTM International standard identifies and defines sustainable laundry best management practices that are used by commercial laundry facilities to reduce their impact on the environment. D7841, Practice for Sustainable Laundry Best Management Practices, was developed by Subcommittee D13.40 on Sustainability of Textiles, part of ASTM International Committee D13 on Textiles.

"D7841 incorporates the best management practices most critical to laundries' conservation of natural resources," says Angela D. Freeman, manager, certification programs, TRSA, an international organization representing companies that supply laundered textiles to a wide variety of businesses. "The more of these that a laundry can implement, the less water, electricity, natural gas, fuel oil and other utilities they require from public sources."

Among the 16 best management practices listed in D7841 are the following:

Freeman, a D13.40 member, says industries that rely on the use of delivered laundered textiles will be the primary users of D7841. "We expect D7841 to build awareness in the textile services marketplace of laundry sustainability, not only as an indicator of a provider's longevity, but their ability to produce cost-effectively," says Freeman.

Interested parties are welcome to join in the standards developing activities of D13.40, including the ongoing maintenance of D7841.

"We are interested in scientists who have worked with environmental standards initiated by associations representing business-to-business trades," says Freeman. "We are also seeking participation from businesses that offer some type of cleaning (particularly detergent use), operate truck fleets or pretreat wastewater from their industrial processes."

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CONTACT Technical Information: Angela D. Freeman, TRSA • Alexandria, Va. • Phone: 703-519-0029, ext. 111 | ASTM Staff: Jennifer Rodgers • Phone: 610-832-9694 | Upcoming Meeting: Jan. 26-29, 2014 • January Committee Week • Houston, Texas