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 [email protected]
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