Clean Green: Foussard Montague Renews Certification
TRSA operator member Foussard Montague Associates Inc. recently renewed the company’s Clean Green certification at the following facilities that it manages: Aid to Hospitals Inc., Rochester, NY; Health Systems Cooperative Laundries (St. Paul, MN; Denver; and Pueblo, CO); Hospital Central Services Association, Auburn, WA; North Texas Healthcare Laundry, Grand Prairie, TX; Texas Healthcare Linen, Abilene, TX; United Linen Services of New England, Lawrence, MA; and United Linen Services, St. Paul, MN. This recertification reflects the company’s continued dedication to operational efficiency and sustainability, according to a news release.
Foussard Montague Associates first earned the Clean Green certification in 2012. Companies that have earned this certification adhere to TRSA-designated water- and energy-use thresholds and deploy best-management practices (BMPs) consistent with the ASTM International environmental laundering standard. Foussard Montague’s customers can be assured that their uniforms, floor mats, towels and other reusable linens are washed, dried and finished with processes that maximize sustainability and reduce greenhouse emissions. Clean Green certified operations demonstrate significant commitment to conservation and green operations through the following BMPs:
- Recovering heat from drained hot water and heat dispersed from the process of warming water
- Recapturing drained water from rinses for reuse
- Using environmentally friendly detergents
- Removing solids and liquids from wastewater
- Solar energy and energy-efficient lighting
- Recycling programs
- Re-routing trucks to save vehicle fuel
- Spill prevention plans
The Clean Green certification is valid for three years at a time. TRSA inspects laundry facilities seeking certification and approves documentation of their water and energy use and BMP deployment through production reports they submit to auditors during the inspections. TRSA’s certification management protocol includes auditor training by the association’s inspection program administrator.
Clean Green aligns with the ASTM International standard, Guide for Sustainable Laundry Practices, which recognizes key criteria for the certification as universal indicators of maximum sustainability in commercial laundry work. ASTM’s review of TRSA BMPs verified these as the most effective and practical techniques for a laundry to achieve “green” objectives.
TRSA members prompted development of the standard, which was vetted in the sustainability subcommittee of the ASTM Committee on Textiles. Top technical experts, scientists and environmental professionals from outside the linen, uniform and facility services industry reviewed the BMPs. ASTM is the global leader in developing and delivering voluntary consensus standards unparalleled in building consumer confidence in product and service quality.
“I applaud these laundries for their sustainability efforts and maintaining the highest standards in their production and delivery operations,” said Joseph Ricci, TRSA president and CEO. “Meeting all the criteria for certification is not easy, but they are committed to industry-leading processes and technologies.”
For information about the Clean Green and Hygienically Clean certification programs, contact Angela D. Freeman, manager, certification programs, at afreeman@trsa.org or 703.519.0029, ext. 111.