Building a Low-Waste Laundry Room

Laundry rooms are often overlooked when it comes to sustainability initiatives, but they are also one of the most resource-intensive spaces in any property. From water usage to plastic waste, every load of laundry presents an opportunity to reduce environmental impact. Building a low-waste laundry room not only benefits the planet but can also lower costs, improve efficiency, and appeal to eco-conscious residents and tenants.

In this guide, we’ll explore practical strategies to create a sustainable laundry room that reduces waste while maintaining top performance.

Why Create a Low-Waste Laundry Room?

Laundry accounts for significant resource use across both residential and commercial properties:

Water consumption: Traditional washing machines can use up to 40 gallons per load, while high-efficiency machines use 15-20 gallons .
Energy use: Heating water for laundry represents up to 90% of the energy a machine consumes per cycle .
Plastic waste: Single-use detergent bottles contribute to plastic pollution, with fewer than 30% being recycled in the U.S. .

Transitioning to a low-waste model reduces utility bills, diverts waste from landfills, and positions your property or business as environmentally responsible.

Step 1: Choose High-Efficiency Laundry Equipment

The foundation of a low-waste laundry room is energy-efficient, water-saving machines. Look for equipment that is:

ENERGY STAR® certified: These machines use about 25% less energy and 33% less water than standard models.
Smart-connected: Cloud-enabled laundry machines allow operators to monitor usage, detect leaks, and optimize performance remotely.
Durable: Investing in commercial-grade machines reduces landfill waste associated with frequent replacements.

Step 2: Switch to Sustainable Detergent Options

Traditional laundry detergents often come in bulky plastic jugs and contain chemicals that can harm waterways. Greener alternatives include:

Concentrated detergents in refill pouches or boxes, which cut down on packaging waste.
Laundry detergent sheets or pods, which eliminate plastic altogether.
Bulk refill stations for apartment communities or laundromats, allowing residents to bring their own containers.

Step 3: Reduce Single-Use Waste in the Laundry Room

Low-waste laundry rooms focus on cutting disposable items:

Dryer sheets can be swapped for reusable wool dryer balls, which last for hundreds of cycles.
Plastic lint bins can be replaced with compost-friendly containers (lint can often be composted if free of synthetic fibers).
Post signage encouraging residents to recycle detergent packaging properly.

Step 4: Optimize Water and Energy Use

Smart operations can cut waste even further:

Cold water cycles: Washing with cold water reduces energy use by up to 90%.
Proper load sizing: Encourage residents to run full loads, maximizing efficiency per wash.
Maintenance schedules: Prevent leaks, clogs, and overuse of energy with regular servicing.

Step 5: Educate and Engage Users

A low-waste laundry room is most effective when residents, tenants, or employees are on board. Consider:

Posting eco-friendly laundry tips in the laundry area.
Offering incentives for residents who adopt sustainable habits, such as using refill stations or cold-water washes.
Sharing savings and sustainability metrics with your community to highlight impact.

The Business Case for Low-Waste Laundry Rooms

Building a low-waste laundry room isn’t just about reducing environmental impact, it’s also smart business. Sustainable laundry practices can:

Lower utility bills through reduced water and energy consumption.
Increase tenant satisfaction by aligning with eco-conscious values.
Support regulatory compliance as more cities and states set environmental standards.

Creating a low-waste laundry room is a win-win: it saves resources, cuts costs, and supports sustainability goals. By investing in efficient machines, reducing single-use plastics, and engaging residents in greener practices, property owners and managers can transform the laundry room into a hub of environmental responsibility.

Sources

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. WaterSense: Laundry. https://www.epa.gov/watersense
Energy Star. Laundry Products. https://www.energystar.gov/products/appliances/clothes_washers
National Geographic. A Whopping 91% of Plastic Isn’t Recycled. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment
ENERGY STAR. Clothes Washers and Dryers. https://www.energystar.gov