Carbon reduction, waste elimination, recycling and participation in the circular economy are great initiatives, yet Alsco Uniforms knows that working alone is no longer the way forward. Increased collaboration and partnerships are the way to deliver changes the world desperately needs.
As part of Alsco Uniform’s Four Big Bold Sustainability Goals, Alsco Uniform’s wants to transition away from coal-fired process heat and energy. To achieve this, the group has decided to take a staggered approach, building in energy optimisation and energy efficiency practices and initiatives to reduce energy demand.
This ensures that when there is a switch to low carbon alternatives, there is enough capacity and optimisation to absorb the costs associated with the transition. This also enables Alsco Uniforms to take advantage of the technological advancements in this space.
Richmond Our production facility in the Tasman region was the first to transition to biomass, transitioning from a coal-fired boiler to wood pellet in 2012. Overall, the conversion of the laundry boiler from coal to wood pellets significantly improved air quality and reduced the visual impact of smoke emissions. Wood pellet fuel has the additional benefits that it is carbon neutral and can be obtained from a local supplier, Azwood.
Invercargill Alsco has engaged Ahika to conduct a woodchip boiler trial at its Invercargill site. Initial work included an assessment of the suitability of Alsco Uniform’s boiler system, and its main components, to operate on wood fuels.
This trial has been successful, and the next steps are to build towards a full-day trial under full factory load. This is scheduled for later on in 2021. This ensures that there is a pathway that puts Invercargill on the cusp of switching over to biomass. The coal used in Invercargill represents 22% of the company’s entire carbon footprint in New Zealand – 4,075 tonnes.
Christchurch & Dunedin Alsco is currently undertaking an energy transition accelerator (ETA) strategic review, a government initiative through which a roadmap to transition to low carbon stationary fuel and transportation alternatives are defined. The ETA will define a clear plan to transition both our Christchurch and Dunedin production facilities.
In 2020 Alsco Uniforms commissioned three SEA Electric E4V electric vans in three different depots across New Zealand, and also introduced New Zealand’s first long-haul heavy EV freighter, based on a Hino GH1828 fitted with a SEA-Drive® 180 power-system. This was in line with Alsco Uniform’s 2018 commitment of electrifying a third of its fleet by 2030, one of four ‘Big, Bold and Meaningful’ goals.
The vehicles were launched at Eden Park in December 2019, an event attended by energy and resources minister Megan Woods, climate change minister James Shaw, Taupo mayor David Trewavas, Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) chief executive Andrew Caseley and around 200 guests.
The project received funding support from EECA and enabled Alsco to work closely with SEA Electric NZ and Action Manufacturing in Hamilton to build a specialised EV freighter with an expected range of 200km. The truck travels Alsco’s shortest heavy route – daily double between Rotorua and Taupo, then Rotorua and Tauranga. The route totals around 286 kilometres each day, so top up charging and split shifts are required. The electric vans have been seamlessly integrated into normal delivery schedules, servicing customers while keeping the surrounding areas pollution and noise free.
Alsco Uniforms is now engaging with international OEM’s to keep abreast of Electric Vehicle development and supply so we continue on our electrification journey.
19,299KM / 9.91 tCO2 savings to date
25,698KM / 7.34 tCO2 savings to date
18,828KM / 17.71 tCO2 actual saving
60.76 tCO2 projected savings based on diesel kms in 2020
14,276KM /4.67 tCO2 savings to date
Continuous Batch Washers (CBWs) are the most efficient laundry machinery but demand large volumes of similar work to fully realise the benefits and synergies.
They are expensive to install but are significantly more water and energy efficient than more conventional washer extractor plants, which typically use more than double the volume of water to process each kg of laundry. CBWs have inherent water recycling attributes built into the machine when compared to conventional washer extractor plants which fill, dump and refill water at each stage of the wash and rinse cycles.
With the opening of the Richmond facility there will be a significant reduction in water consumption due to the install of a new CBW.
In August 2019, Alsco Uniforms Auckland installed a new replacement CBW. This upgrade has saved the Auckland processing plant 23% of water previously used, decreased energy consumption and further increased capacity and efficiency.
In recent times, Alsco Uniforms Auckland has been amidst an extreme water-shortage and drought. Alsco Uniforms recognises this as one of the real challenges facing the city and has demonstrated significant water savings with the CBW upgrade.
Alsco Uniforms Dunedin installed a new CBW in September 2018. This upgrade saved the Dunedin processing plant 30% of water, decreased energy consumption while increasing both capacity and efficiency.
Alsco Uniforms continues to demonstrate leadership in the industry by investing in newer and more efficient technology. This has enabled the company to set a benchmark for others with bold and sustainable goals.
Like most responsible businesses Alsco Uniforms has been focusing on reducing our waste to landfill in recent years, and has achieved considerable success through segregating waste through our plants, recycling and staff education.
This is in line with our big bold sustainability goal of generating zero waste by 2030.
We have developed key partnerships across the initiatives and programmes we have been associated with while empowering our workforce to engage actively in the process and propose projects that can help us meet targets.
Alsco Uniforms has also worked closely with its supply chain and customers, ensuring there is a collective approach to waste reduction. This has helped Alsco Uniforms to educate its key stakeholders while also learning from their experiences and initiatives.
Alsco Uniforms is a founding partner of the Textile Reuse Programme and has joined initiatives such as the SBN’s Sustainable Procurement Advisory Group. While Alsco Uniforms is in the early days of its waste reduction plan, we are committed to reaching our goal and eliminating at least 250 tonnes of CO2e diverting more than 200 tonnes of waste from landfill annually.
With over a century of experience in providing affordable managed textile, washroom, and safety services, we allow customers to focus on their core business; knowing they have a reliable and sustainable partner.
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