A mission to clean up laundry's footprint and prolong the life of textiles


Oxwash was founded with the explicit goal of proving that we can wash textiles with no net impact on our ecosystems and communities. It’s a huge challenge but as engineers, scientists, and human beings facing climate collapse, we’re determined to meet the challenge head-on.

A mission to eliminate the impact of textile cleaning on the planet and people.

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PLANET

Every year, the global laundry industry washes millions of tonnes of textiles for healthcare and hospitality clients emitting an estimated 62 million tonnes of greenhouse gases. 

The impact of laundry operations on the environment and climate is complex, and occurs at various points along the supply chain. On one hand, the industry needs to focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions that result from the use of fossil fuels to run machinery, heat water, and dry textiles. On the other hand, significant improvements need to be made in the supply chain to reduce emissions related to textile production, chemistry manufacturing, and equipment development.

IMPACT

The hospitality industry contributes around 1% of global greenhouse gas emissions, equivalent to South Africa's yearly emissions. To meet the Paris Climate Agreement goals, the global hotel industry must reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions per room per year by 66% by 2030, and 90% by 2050. 

The NHS generates a massive carbon footprint of 31 MtCO2e, with 80% (24.9 MtCO2e) originating from its supply chain. Linen and laundry services, as well as the repeated procurement of scrubs and linen (of which 80% is lost each year), are significant contributors.

As the world’s first B Corp™️, carbon-neutral laundry service with EN 14065 accreditation, we are proud to support hospitality and NHS services – contributing to sustainability goals, positively impacting ESG credentials, and supporting a healthier planet.

PEOPLE

At Oxwash, we prioritise our social responsibility and the positive impact we can make in our communities. Since 2022, we've been measuring our Social Value, assessing our contributions to local employment, skills development, diversity and inclusion, supply chain activity, and community projects. Using the National TOMs Framework, we track our progress, identifying areas for improvement and opportunities to make a difference. 

Our people-first approach ensures the well-being of our employees and the communities we serve. As the cost of living remains a challenge for many households, we recognise the significance of generating social value. 

In 2024, we remain committed to supporting our colleagues, providing opportunities for all, and continuing our community initiatives.

INNOVATION

As with previous years, 2024 will display vast innovation within Oxwash. Developed in collaboration with Christeyns, our upcoming water reclamation system, known as HydRO, utilises advanced processes like iron removal, water softening, and reverse osmosis to treat wastewater from our washers. It purifies the water for reuse, and also filters out microplastics, heavy metals, and bacteria, reducing freshwater consumption by up to 80%. Coupled with rainwater collection, this innovative technology promises to minimise our net freshwater usage to a mere 0.5 litres per kilogram of linen.

2024 also marks the introduction of tunnel washers. These state-of-the-art machines, known as 'continuous batch washers,' efficiently clean large volumes of linens, towels, and uniforms. Not only do they conserve water by recycling it within a closed-loop system, but also minimise energy wastage during operation. And, their multi-stage washing process reduces detergent usage and wastewater generation compared to traditional machines.

FUTURE

In 2021 we benchmarked our sustainability performance and created our first roadmap. Since then, we have made significant progress in turning the tide on textile care, but along the way, we have realised that we need to break free from the current system's status quo. To achieve our vision, we must co-create a new model, guided by our core values of integrity, creativity, and excellence.

Our strategy for 2024 is clear: concentrate on decarbonising textile care within the high-end hospitality and healthcare sectors. We will work on expanding our supply of carbon-free cleaning from our flagship industrial cleaning plant, Big Blue I. Once we demonstrate the profitability of this Net-Zero, first-of-its-kind facility, we plan to secure additional financing to build four more across the UK, ensuring nationwide coverage.

We believe that we must go beyond zero and become a positive and regenerative force for society and the planet. 

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EMISSIONS

We're proud to be 50 times less carbon-intensive than the laundry industry average, emitting on average 0.12 kilos of CO2 equivalent per kilo washed compared to industry average of 1 kilo of CO2 equivalent per kilo washed . Our industrial facility, Big Blue I, operates without traditional boilers, instead relying solely on biogas derived from renewable agricultural sources. We've developed cutting-edge cold water technology to eliminate emissions associated with heating water to high temperatures. Plus, our logistics fleet consists of electric vans and eCargo bikes, all powered by 100% renewable sources.

WASTE

Utilising cutting-edge Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) technology, we tackle our clients’ linen and textile inventory challenges head-on. Our RFID systems, consisting of transponders and readers, facilitate real-time tracking of items like bedlinen, scrubs, and bathrobes. This enables us to provide our clients with unprecedented visibility into their stock levels, saving time and costs associated with manual recounts and misplaced items. Once discrepancies are identified, we collaborate with clients to minimise loss, maintain optimal stock levels, and reduce the cost of unnecessary replacements.

WATER

Laundry operations can be water-intensive, with commercial machines consuming up to 150 litres per cycle. In 2023, we saved 6,940,102 litres of water compared to conventional laundries through measures like our water reclamation system. Our machines recover rinse water used in the pre-wash for the next load, reducing energy consumption. We use ozone to sterilise the water, ensuring hygiene standards are met while minimising wastewater discharge. In 2024, our next-generation facility, Big Blue I, will harvest rainwater and groundwater with our new Hydro system, aiming for an 80% water recycling rate. This, coupled with rainwater collection, will create a near-self-sufficient water reclamation loop.

CHEMICALS

Chemical pollution poses a significant threat to ecosystems worldwide, with the commercial laundry industry being a major contributor. Unlike the harmful traditional methods that rely on bleach and Perc, we use biodegradable detergents, free from harmful chemicals like chlorine, dyes, optical brighteners, and phosphates to minimise water contamination. In 2024 we will roll out our fourth-generation chemistry formulation in our wash process and will be using unique enzymes specifically dosed into our wash process to degrade the matching stains found at sortation and check-in to avoid waste and increase textile lifespan.

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Our sustainability report

2023 was a pivotal year for Oxwash – facing a complex economic landscape, tackling inevitable setbacks inherent in pioneering new technologies, and pushing the boundaries of our commitments with disruptive solutions. Through it all, our commitment to transforming the laundry industry for the better remained steadfast. 

Our 2023 report provides insights into our achievements, setbacks, and lessons learned, and we invite you to join us in advancing towards a cleaner, more sustainable future for the laundry industry.

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Certified

B Corporation®

In 2022, Oxwash became a Certified B Corporation®,  joining over 4000 companies across the world aiming to transform the global economy and create businesses that benefit both people and the planet. We spent over a year going through an independent set of rigorous assessments to quantify our holistic impact on communities, customers, employees and the environment. To become a B Corp™️, companies must achieve a minimum score of 80 points; we are proud to have achieved a score of 94.8. We are proud to be a part of a community of leaders who drive positive change through collaboration and role-modelling best practices.

This journey does not end with being recognised as a B Corp™️, as we want to continue improving. We have embedded B Corp™️ principles and standards throughout our business, and we use the impact areas in the B Impact Assessment to structure our sustainability roadmap. Read our B Corp Annual Statement 2022.

Going beyond

We believe in sustainability beyond protecting the environment. This includes supporting and empowering communities. We are committed to social responsibility and actively seek ways to assist and collaborate with local communities and organisations.

One of our key approaches is to actively support local community initiatives and organisations that align with our values. Whether it's through sponsorships, donations, or partnerships, we aim to provide meaningful contributions that help address pressing social and environmental challenges. By investing in these initiatives, we hope to foster positive change and enable communities to thrive.

We recognise the importance of education and awareness in driving sustainable practices. We are committed to sharing our knowledge and expertise with communities, empowering individuals to make informed decisions and take actions that contribute to a greener future. Learn more about our partnerships.

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