Cape Town Green Planet Laundry:

Saving our planet one load at a time

Quick summary

Similarly than our FaCEA interviews, RiA also promotes new ideas and concepts. Today we are presenting an innovative laundry concept.

What are the keys points presented in this Green Planet Laundry article? Here they are:

• What are the issues with current laundry?

1. Regular washing machines use too valuable municipal drinking water.
2. Drought is a harsh reality in South Africa.

• What is the concept of Green Planet laundry?

1. Green Planet Laundry is 100% borehole water.
2. 50% of the grey water used is recycled.

• How does the process work?

1. Water extracted from a borehole is purified.
2. Ozone-infused water is pressurized and used in Laundry.

• How does your clothing benefit from the process?

1. Clothing is cleaner and more sanitised.
2. Fabrics feel softer and are noticeably whiter.

• What are the environment benefits?

1. Municipal water is preserved.
2. System is powered by solar energy.

Article

Throughout the world, companies across various industries are starting to do their bit to help reduce waste, encourage recycling and go about their business in a more eco-friendly manner. South Africa is no different, and because of our harsh climate and water shortages, more and more opportunities are arising for green businesses to open their doors and make a difference.

Drought is a harsh reality in South Africa, particularly in the Western Cape region, and water has become an extremely valuable and scarce resource. South Africans have implemented various water-saving techniques, from using grey water to flush toilets, to taking two-minute showers and installing rain water harvesting tanks. But, despite great efforts, even more sacrifice is needed to make a difference. One area of water usage that is particularly difficult to cut back on is laundry.

What are the issues with current laundry?

Everyone has dirty laundry, and refraining from washing it is just not an option! Regular washing machines can use up to 50 litres of valuable municipal drinking water per cycle. The average family of four washes between three and six loads of laundry a week, resulting in a huge amount of water usage. Green Planet Laundry is an innovative new business that has developed a solution to this problem.

Unlike other Commercial Laundries, the Cape Town based Green Planet Laundry does not tap into the city’s precious municipal water supply. Instead, they make use of purified borehole water. That means that absolutely no tap water is used.

What is the concept of Green Planet laundry?

The Water used at Green Planet Laundry is 100% borehole water.  Additionally, 50% of the (grey) water used in their machines is recycled therefore further reducing required ground water.

The process works as follows: Water is extracted from a borehole and purified using a custom built water purification system to remove any contaminants. The water is then ozonated for sanitation and effectiveness in the laundry system.

How does the process work?

The process is simple, yet highly effective: Ambient air is compressed and then dried. This dry air is then fed through oxygen concentrators to 95% pure O₂. This O₂ is fed into ‘Corona Discharge’ ozone cells, from which ozone gas (O₃) is produced. The treated borehole water in the holding tank is circulated and via a venturi system, the ozone is injected. The level of ozone in the tank is constantly monitored and controlled by a sophisticated PLC system with touch screen control. This ozone-infused water is then pressurized and pumped into Green Planet Laundry’s efficient and technologically advanced washing machines. The recycled water is recovered and cleaned then also treated with the same circulating and controlled ozone process killing any bacteria and also preparing the water to be used again as prewash or wash water in the next cycles.

This ozone-infused water is then stored in a supply tank, from where it is pumped into Green Planet Laundry’s efficient and technologically advanced washing machines. Ozone is dissolved into the wash basin throughout the entire wash cycle. Municipal water is saved, and our ecological footprint is much reduced.

How does your clothing benefit from the process?

• O₃ oxidises soils and eliminates microbes in the linen, leaving your clothing clean, sanitised and soft.
• It acts as a biocide, controlling odours and killing viruses and bacteria. It has disinfectant capabilities up to 150% more powerful than chlorine.
• Linen life is increased by up to 50%. Fabrics feel softer, and are noticeable whiter.

What are the environment benefits?

• Green Planet Laundry uses absolutely no municipal drinking water in the washing process. Only undrinkable borehole water is used, alleviating pressure on our water supply.
• The grey water used by Green Planet Laundry’s washing machines is recycled through the filtration plant. Approximately 50% is reused.
• Due to the Ozone infusion process, less detergent is required to clean and disinfect clothing and less water is required for the wash and rinse cycles.
• The entire water purification system including the borehole will be powered by solar energy making their complete water purification system environmentally neutral.

How does it change life for Cape Town?

Cape Town residents can now experience the convenience of sending their laundry to be cleaned without the guilt of wasting natural resources. Water restrictions in the Western Cape are becoming a permanent fixture, and this is a perfect opportunity through which residents can decrease the number of litres consumed by their household.

Green Planet Laundry services are convenient and time-saving, making it the perfect solution for Hotels, Restaurants, Salons etc. as well as working mothers, students or anyone who wishes there were more hours in a day. Green Planet Laundry offer a same-day door-to-door collection and delivery service (conditions apply), meaning you’ll receive your clean laundry on the same day it was sent in, without even having to leave your home or office. The services are competitively priced to make it easily accessible for Capetonians.

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Green Planet Laundry services all the greater Cape Town areas from Strand to Paarl to Duynefontein to Cape Point and will commence operations in October 2017. Visit https://greenplanetlaundry.com/ for more information.

Green Planet Laundry: Tony Soares

Tony worked in air traffic control and air traffic management for over twenty years. His love for nature and conservation prompted him to apply his ideals and vision into his own business, in which he believes philanthropy comes first and everything else second. Together with his business partner, Pierre Cillie, he opened a restaurant brand that concentrates on whole foods and fresh ingredients. Upon looking for more business opportunities, Tony and Pierre were appalled at the water and energy consumption of commercial laundry facilities in SA. Spurred on by the drought afflicting the Western Cape, they knew that this laundry had to be established in Cape Town. This is where the concept of Green Planet Laundry was born. Every aspect of the business takes the environment into consideration, and in addition to using no municipal water, the complete water filtration system is solar powered. Through nurturing conservation and simple caring, they believe that the cycle of philanthropy is unstoppable!