With the Ministry of the Environment's Decree on "Minimum Environmental Criteria for the Contracting of Industrial Washing and Rental Services for Textiles and Mattresses," published in the Official Gazette in January 2021, attention had been focused on laundering services, i.e., the rental and washing of tablecloths, sheets and the like by canteens, hospitals, schools, prisons, barracks, etc.
This service includes, in whole or in part, the reconditioning, logistics and rental activities of textile devices, mattresses and pillows, high-visibility clothing as well as sterile medical devices.
Energy and water efficiency to access PA contracts
In line with the environmental impact reduction targets set out in the Action Plan for Environmental Sustainability and Consumption in Public Administration adopted in 2008, there is a continued focus on incentives to boost energy and water efficiency and reduce the use of dangerous substances in rental and washing processes by companies interested in access to public administration contracts.
Indeed, various environmental impacts, such as those related to aquatic eutrophication, climate change and human toxicity, are related to the textile and mattress washing and distribution service: through the application of the CAM it will be possible to contribute mainly to the reduction of energy consumption and related climate-changing gas emissions, the reduction of water consumption, and the reduction of the use of hazardous substances in washing processes.
The use of suitable water filtration and reuse systems to reduce water consumption, the use of detergents and chemicals that are less harmful to the environment to reduce dangerous substances, the implementation of measures to environmental management and biocontamination management and control, are just some of the environmental criteria in the document.
Also enhanced are certifications Resulting in continuous improvement of the environmental footprint (Made Green in Italy) or carbon footprint of the service or organization.
Rewarding criteria include the following environmental certifications:
- Product climate footprint certification in accordance with UNI EN ISO 14067 or equivalent.
- Product water footprint certification in accordance with UNI EN ISO 14046 or equivalent.
- Possession of the voluntary national mark for the evaluation and communication of the environmental footprint of "Made Green in Italy" products;
- Certification of an energy management system in accordance with UNI CEI EN ISO 50001 or equivalent.
- carbon footprint certification of organization in accordance with UNI EN ISO 14064-1
LCA methodology for life cycle study
In order to determine the environmental impact of processed products from a Product Environmental Footprint perspective, which takes into account the factors that affect the 'environment throughout the entire production and distribution cycle, reliance on a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) analysis approach, through which to see one's work represented with solid and reliable data on the impact assessment level, is essential.
These results will contribute not only to the improvement of internal work processes, but also to the market positioning of service organizations, which will have the necessary tools to correctly and consistently communicate their impacts on the environment and the area in which they operate.
As a reminder, with the entry into force of the aforementioned CAMs, contracting stations are obliged to apply them for the purchase or rental of textile products, which can be: flat textiles (health and tourism sector - hotels and other care facilities, detention facilities, etc. ); health care and non-health care workwear, high-visibility clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE); kits made of TTR - reusable technical fabric (sterilized and washed reusable-based surgical kits for the hospital sector); cloths and gowns of different sizes; mattresses and other categories of textiles processed in industrial laundry services and used by contracting stations.
LCA Ambiente can help you verify CAM compliance, calculate the environmental footprint or carbon footprint of your service through a study LCA, help you implement a biocontamination control system under UNI EN 14065, and more.
Contact us, we are available to answer your questions and evaluate next steps together!