The idea behind the pilot project was to sustainably close the loop of hotel textiles and significantly extend the lifecycle of textiles in the hospitality sector. The goal was to recycle discarded bed and table linen from rental laundry into terry towels or upcycle them into new products such as cosmetic bags, fabric pouches, or giveaways. Beyond ecological benefits, the project also aimed to create economic potential and storytelling opportunities for the hospitality industry.
Project Results
Together with Premium Partner Schwob AG and Weseta Textil AG, innovative approaches to fiber-to-fiber recycling were developed—a still underutilized technology that holds pilot status in Switzerland. Initial Swiss collaborations demonstrate promising technological developments. Additionally, further solutions are being pursued with international partners such as yarn suppliers and German institutes. The project was presented to a broad audience through an article in htr, generating interest and inquiries from the hospitality sector to date.
A concrete implementation example can be seen at Hotel Stadthaus Burgdorf, which plans to use its own old textiles to create giveaways for loyal customers. A “Good Practice Story” is planned for 2025 to further share insights and advantages of this approach with the public.
Future Opportunities for Hoteliers
The project offers numerous opportunities for hoteliers to engage in sustainable textile cycles:
- Sustainable Procurement: Hoteliers can already choose recyclable products when purchasing textiles. In the future, textiles containing up to 30% recycled yarn will be available.
- Upcycling Concepts: Old textiles can be creatively repurposed, for example, as giveaways or premium guest gifts.
- Storytelling: Guests can be inspired with stories about the textile lifecycle, raising awareness for sustainability.
Interest and Networking
The article in htr sparked great interest among members and helped establish the concept of circular economy in the hospitality sector. Schwob AG continues to receive inquiries on this topic. Close collaboration with partners like Tell-Tex and Säntis Textil remains in place to drive technological advancements forward.
Contact at Schwob AG
Members of HotellerieSuisse interested in this innovative project can directly reach out to Schwob AG, which is happy to provide further information and tailored consultations. This project illustrates how partnership-based collaboration can shape the future of the circular economy in the hospitality sector.
Press
Cotton Yarn from Discarded Textiles
Article on textile network: This article introduces an innovative process for producing cotton yarn from unused textiles.
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Revolution in Textile Recycling
Report on ftt-online: Insights into new developments and technologies enabling more efficient and sustainable textile recycling.
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New Method of Textile Recycling
Publication on tell-tex.com: The article outlines a groundbreaking recycling method that could be pioneering for the circular economy in the textile industry.
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