At a time when environmental protection has become a top priority, the laundry sector, often perceived as resource-intensive, is facing a transformation imperative. Laundries, whether industrial, hospital, or commercial, use significant quantities of water, energy, and chemicals that directly impact the planet. Controlling this consumption and seeking more sustainable methods are therefore essential to reconcile operational performance and ecological responsibility. By 2025, technological innovation and new practices have ushered in a promising shift. However, the challenges remain complex and require a comprehensive approach, including equipment selection, textile management, resource optimization, and stakeholder awareness.
Hospital laundries are a perfect example of this dynamic. By adopting solutions such as drastically reducing water consumption, heat recovery, and locally sourced textiles, they are able to limit their environmental footprint while ensuring the quality essential to their healthcare mission. The consideration given to the use of detergent products is also part of this desire for sustainable efficiency, with the gradual integration of alternatives that are more respectful of health and the environment, such as the Ecover, Biovie or Rainett ranges.
Beyond technology, training and awareness play a crucial role in changing practices across the industry. This transformation is based on accurate data, feedback, and expert recommendations that guide laundries toward a more virtuous model. This includes reducing carbon emissions and consumption, and improving traceability and effluent management. Finally, the emerging market for certified eco-friendly products—such as L’Arbre Vert, Ecozone, Sodasan, Frosch, Ariel Ecologique, Maison Verte, and Tide Pure Clean—reflects growing customer demand and long-term commitment.
Water Consumption and Efficiency in Professional Laundries: Key Levers for Reducing Environmental Impact
Water is the most used resource in laundries, making it a key lever in reducing environmental impact. Traditionally, laundries consumed up to 18 liters of water per kilogram of laundry processed in the 1990s. By 2025, thanks to technical innovation and process optimization, this consumption had been reduced to 4 to 6 liters per kilogram in advanced hospital facilities. This drastic reduction can be explained by several factors:
- 💧 The modernization of machines, with newer, more water-efficient equipment.
- 💧 The development of integrated washing tunnels that precisely control water usage.
- 💧 The implementation of water recycling systems that allow for the partial reuse of wastewater after treatment.
- 💧 Raising staff awareness to avoid unnecessary waste.
These transformations contribute to reducing not only water consumption but also the quantity of effluent discharged, thus limiting pollution of wastewater systems. In the hospital sector, where infection risk management is essential, these improvements lead to more responsible maintenance without compromising the quality and safety of treatments.
| Parameter 💧 | Traditional consumption | Consumption in 2025 | Ecological benefits 🌱 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water per kg of linen treated | 18 liters | 4-6 liters | Reduced freshwater withdrawals, limited pollutant discharges |
| Effluent discharged | Significant | Controlled and partially recycled | Reduced pollution of aquatic environments |
| Associated energy consumption | High | Optimized | Fewer CO₂ emissions |
To learn more about the organization and treatment of linen in a professional environment, visit this page dedicated to the stages of linen treatment in laundry services. Discover the environmental impact of human activities on our planet. Analyze the effects of pollution, climate change, and the exploitation of natural resources, and explore sustainable solutions to preserve our environment.
Energy is another major environmental impact in laundries. The washing process, water heating, drying, and facility management traditionally require high energy consumption. As Philippe Carenco, President of the Blanchisserie Inter-Hospitalière du Var, points out, laundries have adopted several strategies to mitigate this burden:
⚡ Installation of more efficient and less polluting gas boilers, particularly as a replacement for integrated steam systems.
- ⚡ Use of heat recovery systems to harness wastewater temperature and preheat incoming water, thus limiting consumption.
- ⚡ Installation of more energy-efficient washing tunnels thanks to improved control and automation.
- ⚡ Use of the local heating network (particularly from hospital incinerators) in certain major infrastructure projects.
- This energy shift is resulting in a visible reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, attention to working conditions, such as optimized air conditioning, also contributes to this overall approach by limiting energy requirements related to infrastructure maintenance. Energy Measurement ⚡
Technical Description
| Ecological Objectives 🌍 | Concrete Example | Gas Boilers | Replacement of old steam boilers with high-efficiency gas boilers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reduction of CO₂ emissions and reduction of energy losses | BIH du Var | Heat Recovery | Heat exchanger recovering heat from wastewater |
| Reduction of heating consumption | BIH du Var | Connection to the heating network | Use of heat from medical incinerators for laundry |
| Local energy recovery, reduction of fossil fuels | GCS Blanchisserie Toulousaine | To learn more about eco-responsible laundries and their innovations, visit this link. | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GXKk5Umaz0 |
Reducing the impact of chemicals: adopting eco-friendly detergents and sustainable alternatives The chemicals used in laundries represent a significant source of pollution when released into the environment. Their selection and dosage must therefore be adapted to limit this impact. Several eco-friendly ranges stand out in 2025:🌿
: recognized for its biodegradable formulations and lack of phosphates.
🌿
- Biovie : emphasizes plant-based ingredients and effectiveness in the professional environment. 🌿
- Rainett and L’Arbre Vert
- : offer certified eco-friendly products that are effective and gentle on the skin. 🌿 Ecozone , Sodasan
- , Frosch: European brands committed to reducing harmful substances and using recycled packaging. 🌿Ariel Ecologique , Maison Verte
- and Tide Pure Clean: recognized alternatives in the consumer and professional markets, favoring concentrated and responsible formulas. Rigorous dosage management and treatment tailored to each type of textile optimize performance while limiting chemical releases. It is important to note that the choice of products must also take into account the specific requirements of each laundry, for example, a hospital or hotel laundry, to ensure sanitary quality and hygiene. Brand 🌿 Main Asset Ecological Commitment ♻️
Recommended Use Ecover
| Biodegradability, Effectiveness | Phosphate-Free Formulation, Natural Ingredients | Industrial and Commercial Laundries | Biovie |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plant-Based, Environmentally Friendly | Natural Components, Low Impact | Hospitals and Healthcare Sectors | Rainett |
| Ecological Certification | Ecocert Certifications, Allergen Reduction | General Professional Use | L’Arbre Vert |
| Ethical Products | Strict Environmental Standards | Eco-Responsible Laundries | To discover practical advice on how to care for hotel linens with responsible solutions, explore this comprehensive guide. |
| Discover the environmental impact of human activities and explore sustainable solutions to preserve our planet. Learn about ecological issues and the actions we can take to reduce our carbon footprint. | Sustainable Textile Management: Choosing the Right Fiber and Optimizing the Linen Lifecycle | Another key component in reducing the environmental impact of laundries lies in the management of the textiles themselves. Wise choices regarding raw materials, sourcing, and alternative recycling can limit both waste and energy consumption related to washing. |
Here are some strategies implemented: 🧺 Favoring sustainable natural fibers and eco-certified textiles to improve sustainability and facilitate recycling.🧺 Favoring local sourcing to reduce transportation emissions and support the domestic textile industry.
🧺 Recycling or transforming uncontaminated discarded linens into industrial rags or secondary raw materials. Clinical and industrial experiments, such as that of the Hyères Hospital Center, demonstrate that these methods contribute to a true circular economy in laundry, promoting responsible and local resource management.
Textile Action 🧺
Description
- Environmental Benefit 🌿
- Example of Application
- Sustainable Natural Fiber
- Labeled and Eco-Designed Textiles
Reduced Manufacturing Impact
| BIH Hospital Laundry | Local Sourcing | Textiles Produced in France | Lower CO₂ Transport Emissions |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIH and Medical-Social Institutions | Recycling of Recycled Linen | Transformation into Rags or Secondary Materials | Waste Reduction |
| Local Textile Management Programs | Explore solutions for choosing an environmentally friendly laundry service provider via this link: | choose a sustainable service provider | . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2s17T9t5-uc |
| Training and awareness: a key lever for sustaining laundries’ environmental commitment | Beyond technology and infrastructure, the success of an eco-friendly laundry project relies on ongoing training and awareness-raising for all stakeholders. As Philippe Carenco emphasizes, “teaching is a good way to get the message across.” Thus, several approaches are favored: | 🎓 Regular training for staff on good environmental practices and reducing consumption. | 🎓 Raising awareness of the impacts of the products used and optimization measures. |
🎓 Sharing results and feedback to encourage collective motivation. 🎓 Integrating environmental modules into healthcare and technical training curricula.The benefits are twofold: effective reduction of resource consumption and promotion of an integrated environmental culture at all levels. These actions often extend beyond the laundry to positively impact other sectors in healthcare or industrial facilities. Educational Action 🎓
Environmental Impact ♻️
Target Audience
- Agent Training
- Implementation of On-site Training and Practical Workshops
- Reduction of Water/Energy Waste
- Laundry Staff
Product Awareness
| Information on Eco-Friendly and Alternative Laundry Detergents | Reduction of Chemical Impact | Users/Professionals | Sharing of Experiences |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal Communication and Regular Discussions | Motivation and Continuous Improvement | Management and Teams | To learn more about disinfection and best practices in the medical environment, visit this page: |
| Disinfection of Medical Linens | . | Discover the environmental impact of our daily actions and how we can contribute to a sustainable future. Analyze the effects of climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss on our planet. | Waste Management and Treatment: Reduce Polluting Waste from Laundry Facilities |
| An additional challenge concerns the management of waste produced by laundries, which must ensure that it does not harm aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. This issue includes: | ♻️ Wastewater treatment to reduce toxic substances. | ♻️ Collection and sorting of waste from washing and cleaning processes. | ♻️ Responsible disposal of single-use products and chemical packaging. |
♻️ Optimization of washing cycles to limit the release of pollutants. Investments in advanced treatment facilities and partnerships with specialized organizations can significantly reduce impacts. Furthermore, transparency regarding effluent treatment and rigorous monitoring are necessary to ensure compliance with current environmental standards. Waste & Effluent ♻️Routine Management
Observed Results
Wastewater
- Conventional Treatment
- Advanced Filtration Equipment, Partial Reuse
- Reduction of Chemical Pollutants
- Solid Waste
Collection and Recycling
| Separate Sorting and Recovery | Reduction of Waste Sent to Landfill | Single-Use Products | Frequent Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Encourage Reuse or Composting | Less Waste Generated | Encourage Eco-Responsible Management | The implementation of a waste management policy, including training, regular audits, and environmental performance indicators, is essential to sustain the progress made. |
| Professionals are advised to consult specialized resources to continuously improve their waste management system and minimize their environmental footprint. | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PcPM1V7gKU | Laundries and Local Sourcing: A Strategic Lever for Reducing CO2 Emissions | Another key aspect of reducing environmental impact concerns the origin of the textiles and products used. COVID-19 has highlighted the vulnerabilities of global supply chains, encouraging laundries to favor local sourcing. This choice offers several advantages: |
| 🚚 Significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions related to transportation. | 🚚 Support for the national textile industry and improved traceability. | 🚚 Better responsiveness to crises, with simplified inventory management. | 🚚 Promotion of certified textiles that comply with French and European environmental standards. |
These initiatives benefit both hospitals and commercial and hotel laundries, bringing to life a shared desire to support the local circular economy while reducing the overall carbon footprint. Local Advantage 🚚
Description
Ecological Impact 🌍
Reduced transportation
Preferring local textile and detergent producers
- Reducing CO₂ emissions from international transportation
- BIH Laundry and regional facilities
- Increased traceability
- Quality control and origin of materials
Better management of health and environmental risks
| Var Hospital Laundry | Supporting the local economy | Promoting national suppliers | Boosting the local industrial base |
|---|---|---|---|
| Several French laundries | For more information and to discover environmentally responsible service providers, visit | this page | . |
| Technological innovations and the future of eco-friendly laundry | The transformation of laundry towards a more sustainable activity relies largely on technological innovations. New equipment, methods, and materials will emerge in 2025 to further reduce environmental impact: | ⚙️ Ultra-efficient washing machines with high energy and water efficiency. | ⚙️ Automated detergent dosing systems to limit waste. |
| ⚙️ Use of biomaterials to manufacture less polluting textiles. | ⚙️ Development of cold wash solutions and steam alternatives. | ⚙️ Integration of artificial intelligence to optimize wash cycles based on textile types and soiling levels. | These innovations are in line with current environmental requirements, but also with the search for greater economic profitability. Laundries are gradually adopting more digital and eco-responsible approaches, which should become the standard in the coming years. Innovation ⚙️ |
Description Ecological Advantage 🌿Promising Example
Ultra-efficient washing
Machines that consume less water and energy
- Significant reduction in resource consumption
- Prototypes being tested in Europe
- Automated dosing
- Precision in detergent use
- Limited chemical discharge
Adopted in certain hospital groups
| Cold wash | Innovative techniques for low-temperature washing | Less energy required | Pilot laundries |
|---|---|---|---|
| To learn more about responsible laundries, visit this website: | Saint Didier Laundry | . | Eco-design of buildings and comprehensive management of the environmental impact of laundries |
| Finally, the environmental impact of laundries is not limited to washing operations. The building that houses these activities also plays a fundamental role in overall ecological performance. The eco-design of premises helps reduce energy consumption, optimize workflows, and improve working conditions. The criteria adopted in 2025 include: | 🏢 Reinforced thermal insulation to limit heat loss. | 🏢 Use of bio-sourced and recycled materials for construction. | 🏢 Low-energy ventilation and air conditioning systems, particularly to ensure good air quality without overconsumption. |
| 🏢 Rainwater harvesting system for certain secondary uses. | This not only directly reduces CO₂ emissions, but also improves the sustainability of facilities and the quality of life of employees, thus reducing arduous work. With this in mind, it is essential to integrate water, energy, waste, and textile management into a responsible and certified global approach. Building Factor 🏢 | Associated Practice | Environmental Benefit 🌱 |
Concrete Application Thermal InsulationHigh-Performance, High-Resistance Materials
Sustainable Energy Savings
New Modern Facilities
Ecological Materials
- Bio-Sourced, Recycled
- Less Carbon Impact in Construction
- Renovation of Old Buildings
- Optimized Ventilation
Low-Consumption Air Conditioning
| Air Quality and Controlled Energy | Examples in Hospital Laundry Services | For a complete overview of responsible professional services, visit | this portal. |
|---|---|---|---|
| https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Qs039jn_wo | FAQ on Reducing the Environmental Impact of Laundry Services | ❓ | How can water consumption in laundry be reduced without compromising quality? |
| It is essential to use modern, energy-efficient machines, optimize wash cycles, and introduce wastewater recycling systems. Controlling chemical dosages is also crucial. | ❓ | What are the benefits of using eco-friendly laundry products like Ecover or L’Arbre Vert? | These products help limit toxic emissions, are biodegradable, and promote the safety of staff and end users. They contribute to a comprehensive approach to environmental responsibility. |
| ❓ | Is it necessary to prioritize local sourcing to reduce the carbon footprint? | Yes, favoring local sources reduces transportation-related emissions, improves traceability, and supports the local economy, which is beneficial for the environment and society. | ❓ |
How can laundry staff be effectively trained in good ecological practices? Through ongoing training, dedicated awareness-raising, practical workshops, and regular sharing of results to encourage collective motivation.❓
