As a part of the local URBAN-WASTE activities in Copenhagen, a very extensive handbook was published which focuses on textiles and their management in hotels.
PlanMiljø was commissioned by the city to map the consumption, use and management of textiles in hotels in Copenhagen and the potential for increasing the circularity of textiles. The study has primarily made use of information collected directly from hotels, used textile collectors and leasing companies.
Hotel chains and hotels representing 61% of all hotels in Copenhagen, took part in the survey. An estimated 479 tonnes (approx. 14 kg per hotel bed) of hotel bed linen, kitchen textiles and uniforms/ workwear are in circulation in Copenhagen with approximately 121 tonnes (approx. 3.5 kg per hotel bed) of new textiles purchased each year leading to 3000 tonnes of CO2 emisisons during produciton. More than 90% (by weight) of hotel textiles are leased. The textiles that hotels are most likely to own are uniforms for reception, bar and management staff (46% of hotels).
Greater circularity in hotel textiles means not only keeping textiles in service for as long as possible through durable design, repair, recirculation within a hotel but also, in case they are discarded, ensuring that eventually discarded textiles and the materials they contain, gain a further life through reuse/recycling. Although the vast majority of hotel textiles are leased, both hotels and leasing companies can take leading roles in ensuring circularity. Leasing companies can provide more durable textiles and ensure that these are recirculated for reuse and/or recycling when the hotel no longer wants them. Hotels can place requirements in leasing contracts to ensure that leasing companies follow circularity principles, and can simultaneously ensure circularity in the uniforms/workwear that they own.
This publication thus contains not only an overview of the current practices but also boasts in recommendation, examples of good practices and more, all based on information coming tfrom the accommodation sector.
The Handbook can be found here, or in our Library.
