TSA launches GLARE platform to transform UK commercial laundry sustainability
The Textile Services Association (TSA) is taking significant strides towards sustainability in the commercial laundry sector with the recent launch of the GLARE platform and a productive Sustainability Open Day. Led by CEO David Stevens, the TSA's efforts underscore the urgency of sustainability amid increasing regulatory pressures, particularly following the government's introduction of Scope 1-3 emissions legislation, which compels businesses to take actionable steps towards environmental responsibility.
At the TSA’s Autumn Conference, keynote speaker Benita Matofska encapsulated the essence of sustainability, defining it as “the ability to continue into the future.” The challenge, however, lies in translating this abstract concept into actionable steps that resonate throughout the industry. The announcement of the Sustainability Open Day on 12 March 2025 served as a landmark event, attracting over 60 attendees, including environmental journalist Anna Turns, who facilitated important discussions on addressing the challenges the industry faces in creating a sustainable future.
A prevailing theme at the Open Day was the centrality of data in the sustainability conversation. The TSA emphasises the need for concrete measurements to track industry progress and substantiate claims regarding environmental impact. The organisation is adamant about moving beyond mere 'greenwashing' to prove tangible results.
To aid in this mission, the TSA has introduced GLARE (Global Laundry and Rental Emissions), a comprehensive platform designed to assist commercial laundries in quantifying their carbon emissions. This tool, which aligns with the Greenhouse Gas Protocol, provides essential insights into the various emission sources across the recognised Scopes 1 to 3. The platform enables members, from large corporations to smaller operations, to collect and compare data effectively, thereby fostering a more level playing field and reducing the risk of misreporting.
In addition, GLARE serves as a collaborative space, encouraging members to share their findings and insights, which the TSA hopes will foster greater industry unity. The aim is to create a global standard for emissions data within the commercial laundry sector, thereby facilitating cross-national cooperation among various associations.
The TSA’s initiatives stretch beyond data collection; they embody a broader commitment to creating a circular economy through initiatives like Infinite Textiles. Originally focused on the recycling of textiles, this programme has evolved to address gaps in managing resources throughout the entire supply chain. However, challenges remain, particularly concerning the recycling of more complex items such as clothing with zippers or surgical textiles. Currently, while solutions exist, industrial-scale recycling facilities are lacking in the UK, resulting in much of the nation’s recyclables being sent overseas for processing.
The TSA is engaging with governmental bodies such as the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to find scalable solutions for domestic textile recycling. Their lobbying efforts, though slow, are yielding tangible outcomes: the UK government has formed a circular economy task force, which recently highlighted both the TSA and its Infinite Textiles project in its reports.
Since 2012, the commercial laundry sector has made noteworthy progress, reducing energy consumption by 30%. Despite this positive trend, the industry still consumes a staggering 2.89TWh of energy annually—comparable to the energy needs of major UK cities including Liverpool, Oxford, and Cambridge. Increasing electrification in laundry facilities could represent a pivotal shift towards sustainability, which the TSA aims to promote through knowledge-sharing events such as the Sustainability Open Day.
With over 80% of its members already utilising GLARE and many of its events selling out, the TSA’s commitment to sustainability is clear. The journey towards a greener commercial laundry sector is undoubtedly a long one, but the industry is demonstrating a collective zeal for reducing its carbon footprint.
Looking ahead, the TSA is set to convene with representatives from UK Hospitality on 25 June 2025. This meeting aims to align sustainability efforts across sectors, ensuring that strategies are complementary and mutually reinforcing. The collaboration will be crucial for enhancing the overall effectiveness of sustainability programmes across both industries.
As the TSA moves forward, the collective efforts of its members and partners will play an essential role in powering a sustainable future, highlighting how collaboration and data can drive substantial change in the commercial laundry landscape.