Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Wiping Rags Are Safe for the Envronment
Although it might appear that reusable, rental shop rags are environmentally preferable all is not how it appears.
From an environment standpoint, there are a number of advantages to using disposable wipers--advantages for you and your business, your employees, and for the preservation of the earth’s valuable resources.
An independent study of the relative benefit of disposable wipers and rented shop rags conducted by Project Performance Corporation, an environmental consulting firm, shows that for variety of reasons, disposable wipers are the preferred choice.
Utilizing three parameters--energy used, water used, and waste produced--a life cycle analysis was conducted. To be consistent with EPA guidelines, the life cycles of both disposable wipers and rented shop rags spanned four phases: Raw Material Acquisition, Manufacturing, Industrial Usage, and Post Usage.All types of disposable wipers use less water and generate less waste than laundered shop rags. And many disposable wipers can be used more than once, thus increasing water conservation and further reducing waste production.
Disposable wipers made from recycled textiles use less energy than rented shop rags. They also contribute 30 percent less waste to landfills than rented shop rags.
In a related study, Lockheed/Martin Environmental Services reported to the EPA Office of Solid Waste:Disposable wipers made from recycled or waste materials have a lower overall environmental impact when compared to rental rags, due primarily to the re-use of materials that would normally be discarded.
The amount of landfill space occupied by disposable wipers is so small that solid waste studies can not identify a percentage number that wipers contribute to the landfill.The sludge resulting from cleaning rental rags may actually be more of an environmental threat in the landfill due to the concentrated contaminants and increased potential for leaking into groundwater.
When large numbers of wipers are collected in one area, such as at a rental laundry prior to washing, the evaporation of volatile solvents found on the wipers can result in unhealthy air conditions.
All disposable wipers have less negative impact on the environment than rental shop rags.
Toll Free Telephone: 877-747-3854
An independent study of the relative benefit of disposable wipers and rented shop rags conducted by Project Performance Corporation, an environmental consulting firm, shows that for variety of reasons, disposable wipers are the preferred choice.
Utilizing three parameters--energy used, water used, and waste produced--a life cycle analysis was conducted. To be consistent with EPA guidelines, the life cycles of both disposable wipers and rented shop rags spanned four phases: Raw Material Acquisition, Manufacturing, Industrial Usage, and Post Usage.All types of disposable wipers use less water and generate less waste than laundered shop rags. And many disposable wipers can be used more than once, thus increasing water conservation and further reducing waste production.
Disposable wipers made from recycled textiles use less energy than rented shop rags. They also contribute 30 percent less waste to landfills than rented shop rags.
In a related study, Lockheed/Martin Environmental Services reported to the EPA Office of Solid Waste:Disposable wipers made from recycled or waste materials have a lower overall environmental impact when compared to rental rags, due primarily to the re-use of materials that would normally be discarded.
The amount of landfill space occupied by disposable wipers is so small that solid waste studies can not identify a percentage number that wipers contribute to the landfill.The sludge resulting from cleaning rental rags may actually be more of an environmental threat in the landfill due to the concentrated contaminants and increased potential for leaking into groundwater.
When large numbers of wipers are collected in one area, such as at a rental laundry prior to washing, the evaporation of volatile solvents found on the wipers can result in unhealthy air conditions.
All disposable wipers have less negative impact on the environment than rental shop rags.
Toll Free Telephone: 877-747-3854
# posted by Jack : 12:04:00 PM
"Cleanliness is indeed next to godliness." --Christopher Morley
