Steps toward improved sustainability with GOTS bath linen

Zuyderland is committed to creating a sustainable future for the hospital and for the environment. The hospital group therefore organizes its operations in a socially responsible manner. This resulted in the hospital being the first under the Nijmegen-Tilburg line to being awarded the  bronze quality mark for sustainability by the Milieuplatform Zorgsector industry (association of intramural care institutions). Ab Hollanders from Zuyderland and Andrea Meuwissen from Nedlin explain how Nedlin contributes towards achieving these ambitions.

Ab Hollanders works as a policy advisor for Facility Management at Zuyderland. His main task is to advise management about sustainable and socially responsible business practices. "It is important to Zuyderland to create sustainable value now and in the future. Our basic principle is that we want to work in a safe and socially responsible manner, with as little impact as possible on the environment. We have, therefore, redesigned all kinds of processes and systems, such as waste collection and separation, transport, recycling, and savings in energy and water. In concrete terms, we use more LED lighting and less water, reduce the discharge of medicines into the water, and reduce food waste by purchasing tailor-made products," explains Ab.

Environmental label

Zuyderland has implemented a whole package of measures and many more are planned for the coming years. "We are using the standards of the Milieu Platform Zorgsector (MPZ) as a framework. This is an industry association that brings hospitals and care institutions together to learn from each other and to join forces. Together with Dutch environmental quality label Stichting Milieukeur (SMK), the association has set up the Milieuthermometer Zorg (environmental thermometer for care). You qualify for one of the eco-labels – gold, silver, or bronze – by complying with a number of standards. Unlike a management instrument such as ISO 14001, the Milieuthermometer provides a clear overview of relevant processes in which a certain standard must be achieved. This is very effective, because it helps us to set our objectives, to take on environmental tasks properly, to promote our efforts internally and externally, and to obtain environmental permits. It also works, as we were awarded the bronze label in 2018. We aim to meet the standards for the silver label within the next few years.”

Sustainable services

Linen and uniforms are also included in the standards of the Milieuthermometer, and this is where Nedlin has added value for Zuyderland. According to Andrea Meuwissen, commercial manager for Healthcare at Nedlin, "Nedlin has been working for Orbis for about 20 years now and has been working for Atrium since 2014. The merger was preceded by a new tender for linen and workwear, as part of which Zuyderland also took a good look at the social responsibility taken on by its suppliers. It soon became clear that we were miles ahead of other parties in this respect. We see sustainable service as the only way to remain future-proof and are committed to making our processes more and more sustainable. We are also optimizing our machinery to ensure an excellent result, while consuming as little energy, water, and detergents as possible. But we are not only tackling machinery and processes. We also select the most sustainable option in terms of the materials we buy, such as linen and uniforms.”

Finding solutions for processes

Sustainability was not the only reason to choose Nedlin, explains Ab. "The laundry is also well organized in terms of logistics. Andrea and her colleagues contribute good ideas about how we can make the logistics process run as efficiently as possible together, even if different locations require different solutions. I particularly appreciate Nedlin's proactivity and their constant search for improvements to the process and selection of products." Sometimes this leads to discussions, but they're always constructive. "We have an excellent relationship with Zuyderland," explains Andrea. "Communication is also open, and we listen carefully to each other. And when we don't agree on something, we search for a solution together that everyone can get behind.”

Organic linen

Nedlin's proactive attitude also ensures that Zuyderland is already ahead of the Milieuplatform Zorgsector when it comes to linen. "At the end of 2018, we introduced all our Healthcare clients to linen produced according to the GOTS standard," explains Andrea. "GOTS is the Global Organic Textile Standard, an international standard for organic clothing and textile. GOTS textile contains at least 70% organic cotton and is produced in a socially responsible production chain. We have even opted for 100% organic cotton for our bath linens. We now only purchase GOTS-certified bath towels and small towels. It is therefore no longer an option for our clients; they simply receive our new GOTS-certified bath linens as standard. And we don't compromise on quality. The great thing about these bath linens is that they are just as thick, soft, and white as the old ones."

Step-by-step replacement

But that doesn't mean that you'll only find GOTS bath linens at Zuyderland. "The transition is taking place step by step," says Andrea. "After all, it wouldn't be sustainable to immediately get rid of all the old bath linen. We only replace the old ones when they are worn out. We expect that all the old bath linens will be replaced with new GOTS bath linens in the next three years. In the course of the year, we will also switch to sustainable alternatives for the other products, such as organic cotton or recycled cotton. Within five years, we want at least 50% of all products that we deliver every week to be made from sustainable materials."

Investment for own account

"With this progressive linen, Nedlin helps our hospitals to put themselves on the map when it comes to sustainability," adds Ab. "And this is without any additional costs, as this investment is paid for by Nedlin. And what is at least as important for our patients is that the material is of good quality, dries well, and looks good. In addition to the excellent service and the good partnership, Nedlin continuously shows us that we have chosen the right supplier for our organization”