Pulse September 2020 | Page 62

IT’S EASY BEING GREEN BY NOEL ASMAR PRACTICAL TIPS TO LIVE MORE SUSTAINABLY BEING AN ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS, SUSTAINABLE OR EVEN A REGENERATIVE BUSINESS isn’t optional anymore—it’s essential to compete for environmentally savvy spa-goers in a crowded marketplace. Each month, Pulse will offer tips and fun facts on going green. AS A UNIFORM DESIGNER, I’ve learned some tips and tricks that help make the selection process more successful—and therefore more eco-friendly, because choosing styles and fabrics that last will result in uniforms that are discarded less often. MATERIAL: Fabrics that are natural aren’t always the most eco-friendly choice for an industrial setting that require repeat use and washings. Recycled synthetic materials that wear out more slowly may be a better choice, and tremendous progress has been made with high performance yarns made from recycled materials. These fabrics perform well in a high-use commercial or industrial setting. Look for fabrics that do not shrink, fade or require long drying times. Do several test washes of a uniform before buying to ensure it holds up well. Longevity is sustainable! If you are trying to choose a sustainable fabric— whether natural or synthetic—consider the following: 1. THE SOURCE OF THE FIBER: natural or man-made. 2. WHETHER THAT source is renewable. 3. THE RESOURCES CONSUMED or emitted to create the fabric. 4. FABRIC DURABILITY and longevity. 5. IS THERE A WAY to recycle and close the loop? Does it biodegrade? FIT: Look for fabrics that stretch to help fit those inbetween body sizes, are comfortable and allow for mobility. Simply put, garments that fit well will both wear down less quickly and be more enjoyable to wear, which reduces the desire to throw them away. The number one way to impact the modern “throw away pandemic” is to buy well and wear long. RECYCLE: Even the most durable garments eventually need to be replaced, so have an operational plan for your uniforms when it is time to retire them. Check out Hospitality Lifecycle, a recycling initiative that was launched to bring awareness around the billions of pounds of textiles discarded in landfills each year. Look for ways you can donate or reuse your old uniforms for other purposes. The spa and hospitality industry could have a significant positive impact in reducing its waste if it ensured all its textile goods are recycled. n HAVE A QUICK, EASY TIP FOR SPAS LOOKING TO GO GREEN? An outside-the-box idea for reducing waste? An environmental fact that you think Pulse readers should know? Share them with us at ispa@ispastaff.com NOEL ASMAR, founder and CEO of Noel Asmar Uniforms, had made it her purpose to consciously conduct business while respecting the environment and supporting the spa industry. For September, we're featuring tips from Asmar on how to make your uniforms more environmentally friendly. 50 PULSE ■ SEPTEMBER 2020