Water scarcity, rising energy costs, and increasing environmental concerns are reshaping industries across the globe, including professional laundry. Studies from the World Resources Institute highlight that a quarter of the global population experiences extreme water stress every year. Additionally, half of the world’s population, around 4 billion people, endure water shortages for at least one month annually.
By 2050, the situation is expected to worsen dramatically. Even under optimistic climate scenarios, an additional 1 billion people will face extreme water stress. Meanwhile, global water demand is projected to rise by 20% to 25%, and the number of watersheds with unpredictable water supplies is anticipated to grow by 19%.
Water is essential for every aspect of life—feeding populations, producing energy, ensuring health, and fostering economic and social stability. Yet, without improved water management strategies, climate change, population growth, and economic expansion are set to exacerbate this crisis, threatening not only human well-being but also the progress toward global climate and sustainability goals. The laundry industry, as a significant consumer of water, has a critical role to play in adopting sustainable practices.
At Girbau, we recognize these challenges as opportunities for innovation to create a positive impact. Through our Zero Platform, we are driving the transformation of the laundry industry with solutions that address water conservation, energy optimization, and environmental stewardship. Here’s how we’re working to build a sustainable future.
Introducing the Zero Platform: sustainability at its core
The Zero Platform is a comprehensive sustainability framework designed to tackle key environmental challenges in the laundry sector. Focused on four critical areas—water, microfibers, energy, and packaging—these solutions empower laundries to reduce their ecological footprint while maintaining operational efficiency.
1. Zero Water: leading the fight against water scarcity
Girbau’s Zero Water solutions enable laundries to recover and reuse up to 85% of water, dramatically reducing consumption and waste.
- Tailored recovery systems: Single-machine setups achieve up to 35% water reuse, while centralized systems can reach up to 85% in ongoing pilots.
- Cost savings: Reusing water not only protects the environment but also cuts operational costs.
- SDG alignment: These solutions contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by promoting responsible water use while protecting environment and biodiversity from pollution and waste such as emerging contaminants, chemicals and microplastics.
2. Zero Microfibers: protecting water quality
Microfiber pollution, a byproduct of textile care, is a growing environmental concern. Girbau’s advanced filtration systems remove 90% of microfibers and microplastics, filtering particles as small as 50 microns at a flow rate of 7 m³/h.
- Environmental leadership: Prevents harmful particles from entering waterways.
- Future-ready: Compliant with upcoming microplastics drafted regulations.
- Operational efficiency: Designed for all laundries and multi-brand equipment, these filters integrate seamlessly into existing workflows and machines.
Rising energy costs and carbon regulations demand innovative solutions. Girbau’s Zero Energy systems help laundries reduce their energy consumption and lower their carbon footprint.
- Energy recovery: Advanced systems reuse heat and energy at multiple stages of the laundry process.
- Efficient equipment: Machines like the Genius washers and ED dryers are engineered for maximum output with minimal energy use.
- Sustainable profitability: Lower energy use translates to significant cost savings.
The move toward sustainable packaging is essential for reducing waste. Girbau’s Zero Packaging solutions eliminate plastic by using recycled and recyclable paper, cutting CO₂ emissions by up to 95%.
- Cost efficiency: Reduces operational expenses through lower electricity use and disposal fees.
- Seamless integration: Easily adaptable to existing laundry operations.
Shaping the social and environmental future of laundry
At Girbau, sustainability is about more than technology, it’s about positively impacting people and planet. Our innovations, like the Genius washers, improve worker well-being through ergonomic design, reducing physical strain and enhancing productivity. The 360-vision corner and the large touch-screen makes the machine not just more productive but the best tool to empower operators with functional diversity. Meanwhile, the Sortech automated sorting system streamlines processes while minimizing the risk of repetitive stress injuries for employees and all the risks linked to manual sorting of dirty linen sometimes contaminated by chemicals, organic matter, sharp metals, and other hazards coming from the hospital’s operating rooms clothes, care homes beds or intensive and heavy industry work clothes.
These solutions exemplify our holistic approach to sustainability, which includes improving workers' lives, reducing operational costs, and protecting the planet.
The stakes have never been higher for the laundry industry to adopt sustainable practices. With water and energy demands on the rise, businesses that embrace innovative solutions will thrive and lead the charge toward a greener future.
Contact us for more information about Girbau’s Zero Platform.