TSA joins BCC in move to benefit and strengthen both associations
Textile Services Association is warmly welcomed to BCC membership
The voice of the cleaning and hygiene industry will be heard more loudly
The Textile Services Association (TSA) has joined the British Cleaning Council (BCC) as an associate member.
The TSA represents commercial laundries in several sectors and textile rental businesses serving the hotel and hospitality, healthcare and workwear markets. The textile care services industry contributes over £1.3 billion in GVA and supports some 28,000 jobs in the UK economy. It has become the 22nd member of the BCC, in a move which benefits and strengthens both organisations.
BCC chair Paul Thrupp said, “I am delighted that the TSA has joined the BCC and I very warmly welcome them. Working together with the TSA makes the BCC and the whole cleaning and hygiene sector that much stronger. It is important that the cleaning and hygiene sector pulls together to present a unified front if we are to make our collective voice heard as loudly as possible.
“Textile services is a significant sector of the economy. There are also considerable synergies with the cleaning and hygiene sector as represented by our members, particularly in the health and hospitality sectors. The TSA’s work lobbying the Government to move towards multi-use gowns for healthcare is something that dovetails well with the work of our members on the environmental agenda and their work on skills also supports our drive to create an accredited training and apprenticeship.
“We have many issues of mutual interest and I look forward to collaborating in the future. “
The TSA represents commercial laundries in several sectors and textile rental businesses serving the hotel and hospitality, healthcare and workwear markets.
TSA CEO David Stevens said, “We are delighted to join the BCC and work collectively with so many like-minded organisations. We have so many harmonised agenda points I think the collective power of the BCC can really help drive these topics to some of the key decision makers in Government. I see real benefits for our membership and improved momentum on some of our key project areas such as training, linen recycling and energy efficiency incentives, including the climate change agreement.
“An individual trade association can find it difficult to get space on the lobbying platform. Working with the BCC will be a great way of sharing and supporting a single message, benefitting all members.”
If you wish to discuss the above or if you would like any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us on 020 3151 5600 or at tsa@tsa-uk.org.
TSA Knowledge Network Open Day
Christeyns UK supplies water saving equipment for Eton College
24 March 2021
Laundry chemical and engineering specialist Christeyns UK has helped Eton College in Windsor meet its environmental goals with a new water filtering system.
Eton college, the prestigious boarding school in Berkshire, has been educating for the future for over 600 years. Founded in 1440, this outward-looking institution with over 1300 students, has a proud history and rich heritage, yet embraces innovation in its pursuit of excellence and the provision of a well-rounded education.
However, it is not only forward thinking in its educational goals but also in the operational day to day running of the college and its commitment to sustainability.
In 2017 the college cut its energy costs by replacing lamps and fixtures that led to a reduction in their carbon footprint by 61%. Earlier this year the college tackled the issue of water saving with the installation of a new storage and filtering system, Lint X.
Renowned for its innovative water and energy saving systems, Christeyns installs equipment in commercial and on-premise laundries across the UK and Ireland that complement the use of its patented Cool Chemistry and other detergent programmes.
Eton College has had a laundry on site since 1881 and has been using Christeyns’ chemistry for almost a decade. A dedicated team of 30 run and maintain the laundry that processes 50,000 items per week which includes everything from rugby kit to chef’s outfits. Items are sorted, washed, ironed and then individually repacked for each boy.
“As a whole, both the school and the pupils are focused on improving our environmental commitment,” states Facilities Manager Paul Bayley. “Addressing water usage was one of the initiatives that came out of a recent meeting, realising that the old tank system was way beyond being efficient.”
Christeyns Water and Energy specialist Brett Cartwright analysed the current provision and needs of the College and a Lint X Compact was installed and up and running ready for the students return post lockdown.
The new unit will save the site around a third of their water usage which over the course of a year will represent a considerable saving and go a long way towards meeting the College’s sustainable targets.
Lint-X Compact comprises a pair of tanks for storing and filtering used water from the washing process, typically water from the press tanks and rinse water tanks of the CBW’s.
The unit operates between three to five pumps and a freshwater valve in order to supply several washing machines with filtered, but used water, thus reducing the freshwater consumption in a laundry.
Paul continues: “Christeyns carried out a very professional installation of the Lint-X unit despite the challenges imposed due to lockdown. The whole process went very smoothly and I look forward to seeing the longer term impact on our water usage.”
Sustainability is a way of life, not just relevant to laundries. With the help of Christeyns, Eton College is setting the right example for other educational institutions, for its pupils and for the wider community.
Update from the TSA Chief Executive
The TSA responds to the budget: commercial laundries are left in jeopardy
David Stevens, CEO of the TSA comments on the budget:
Commercial Laundries are Left in Jeopardy
Of course it’s good that the furlough scheme has been extended to September. We’re happy that the Chancellor has also announced a new recovery loan scheme, the investment incentives are a definite plus so there are some positives.
Having said that, we’re very disappointed that the Chancellor didn’t see fit to expand the recovery net. Commercial laundries are still in this enormous black hole outside of the government’s support bubble. We aren’t eligible for business rates relief or for recovery grants, VAT reductions and so the list goes on. We will see minimum wages increase at a time when we will be struggling to pay any wages!
Yet again the service support sector has been totally overlooked despite being part of and dependent on the hospitality industry who have been receiving support throughout the pandemic – it’s simply not fair. This is not a good budget for our industry.
With support we could survive. Without it, commercial laundries, and the 24,000 people they employ, remain in real jeopardy.
If you wish to discuss the above or if you would like any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us on 020 3151 5600 or at tsa@tsa-uk.org.
