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Sustainable packaging: Washable laundry bags

Explore innovative ways to reduce plastic packaging with our eco-friendly alternatives to single-use plastic bags – The Johnsons Way

 

 

 

SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING THAT WORKS FOR YOU (AND THE PLANET)

At Johnsons Workwear, we’re actively working to support UK businesses with sustainable workwear solutions that help reduce plastic packaging and lower environmental impact. Not only are we proud to offer sustainable workwear for a wide range of industries, but we have now launched our reusable laundry hamper range.

This sustainable packaging range includes washable laundry bags, washable cloth bags and reduced micron polythene bags – all designed to reduce the need for single-use packaging across your commercial laundry service – and free of charge to our customers.

Whether you're like us and aiming to remove all single-use plastic from your operations or are simply looking for new ways to improve your ESG reporting, our team will help you find the right solution.

WASHABLE
LAUNDRY BAGS

Say you have 15 garments a week laundered by Johnsons Workwear. In a year, that’s 780 single-use polyethylene bags that end up in landfill – polluting our planet and waters.

Now imagine you’re a large-scale operation with hundreds of garments laundered multiple times per week … it just doesn’t bear thinking about.

Available for both workwear rental and launder-only contracts, and in various sizes and colour-coding to meet the diverse volumes of garments we process, our reusable laundry bags are perfect for storing and transporting your freshly laundered uniforms.

Plus, no matter how often you have your workwear washed – whether it be daily or weekly – we use a communal system, ensuring we’ll always have a clean laundry bag available for your delivery.

As our washable laundry bags also go through the same laundering processes as garments, this includes the expected washing and drying, alongside damage detection and repair.

If any damage is detected, the bag will be assessed as to whether it meets our tight standards before either being repaired and reused or put through our garment recycling process.

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WHAT ABOUT HYGIENE REGULATIONS?

These machine washable laundry bags not only help to support both your business and ours in reducing single-use packaging, but they’ve also been meticulously tested to ensure they still meet the stringent hygiene standards many of our customers depend on us for.

Our testing found that packing garments in zipped, washable and reusable laundry bags, without single-use plastic, had no impact on the microbiological and allergen safety of the garments whilst in transit. This means that even industries with the highest hygiene standards, including healthcare and food, are safe to make the transition to washable laundry bags for their workwear.

READ THE RESULTS FOR YOURSELF

Should damage be detected that could compromise not only the safety and usability of the laundry bag, but also the measures in place that ensure the cleanliness and hygiene of the laundered garments inside, rest assured that it will be taken out of operation and recycled using our garment recycling process.

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WASHABLE MESH LAUNDRY BAGS

Alongside our workwear laundry bags, we also have washable mesh laundry bags for some of our workplace services contracts – including cleaning cloths, wipers and other reusable textiles.

Instead of placing your dirty wipers in a plastic bag for collection – and fresh ones returned in another plastic bag – they can instead be put in a reusable mesh laundry bag that can be washed time and time again, along with your cleaning cloths.

We also offer a swap transaction with our rental wiper service, meaning when your soiled cloths are collected, you’ll be provided with the exact number of clean ones – meaning you’ll never be waiting to clean up your workstation.

Thanks to these eco-friendly mesh laundry bags laundered directly in our plants, we’re continuing with our Vision 2030 commitment and commercial laundry sustainability goals to reduce single-use plastic within our operations, meaning no need for single-use disposal.

MICRON POLYTHENE BAGS

Where plastic is still required, we’re currently trialling micron polythene bags that use significantly less material than traditional alternatives.
 
Whilst we’re firm in our testing that these aren’t necessary, these bags would be available for customers who require added hygiene protection but aren’t quite ready to make the transition to fully reusable and sustainable packaging.

 

WHY USE MICRON POLYTHENE BAGS?

Micron polythene bags have a lower plastic content, compared to the standard polyethylene bags used in our operations, and, whilst lightweight, are still strong enough to securely pack, store and transport freshly washed commercial laundry. They can help support both our business and yours to reduce plastic packaging, used as a temporary step towards a more sustainable option in the future.
 

IS POLYTHENE RECYCLABLE?

Some polythene can be recycled, depending on local waste facilities, it is not always accepted in domestic recycling.
 
We cannot recycle polythene bags returned to us, and you would have to check with your waste management services as to whether you are able to.

IS POLYTHENE BIODEGRADABLE?

Standard polythene is not biodegradable.
 
That’s why our focus is to reduce plastic packaging through micron polythene bags for customers who are not yet ready to transition and replacing them with reusable laundry bags where possible.

BENEFITS OF OUR WASHABLE LAUNDRY BAGS AND CLOTH BAGS

Switching to washable laundry bags and cloth bags is one of the most effective ways to we can reduce reliance on single-use plastic in commercial laundry.
These reusable laundry bags are designed to be laundered repeatedly at an industrial level, offering durability, hygiene and long-term savings.

Here’s how businesses can benefit from using our machine washable laundry bags:

 

 

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Reduced plastic waste

Replacing disposable polyethylene with washable cloth bags or washable laundry bags significantly lowers the volume of plastic waste generated – through our business, and yours.

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Decreased packaging costs

By introducing reusable laundry bags, not only are we cutting the cost of single-use plastic from our operations, but our customers no longer need to purchase them in preparation for their laundry collections.

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Improved commercial laundry sustainability

Our eco-friendly laundry bags support both of our journeys towards a more sustainable future, aligning with wider corporate goals around waste reduction and environmental performance. This proactive switch also makes it the perfect addition to your ESG reporting.

Each laundry bag is made to withstand repeated industrial wash cycles, offering the same strength and reliability wash after wash. Unlike single-use plastic packaging, our washable laundry bags maintain their integrity over time and can be recycled at their end-of-life.

 

 

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Easy sorting and handling

Available in colour-coded options and different sizes, our laundry bags make sorting and tracking easy for both your team and ours. They’re tailored for use in high-volume commercial laundry systems, and compatible with our service infrastructure – meaning no delays in getting your workwear or other textiles.

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Customer confidence

Demonstrating that your business is working to reduce plastic packaging can improve brand reputation and customer trust – especially for businesses in hospitality, manufacturing, healthcare, or food production, where environmental impact is under constant scrutiny.

As ESG reporting can involve the entire supply chain, our switch to reusable laundry bags supports your business’ sustainability goals and impact, which in turn can support your customers’ and beyond.

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No compromise on hygiene

As mentioned earlier, our washable laundry bags have been rigorously tested to ensure that they have no impact on the microbiological and allergen safety of the garments whilst in transit. Therefore, you can rest assured that, no matter what hygiene standards your operations demand, your workwear and cleaning cloths adhere.

SUSTAINABILITY AT JOHNSONS WORKWEAR

At Johnsons Workwear, we’re big on improving our sustainability, especially considering how difficult sustainability in commercial laundry can be. Just last year alone – along with our other ESG goals - we reduced our single-use plastic consumption by 20%... and this is only the beginning!

We want to educate our customers on the ways in which the circular economy and commercial laundry can work hand in hand, and help businesses like yours know what to look for in an eco-friendly laundry service.

 

DISCOVER JOHNSONS AS A SUSTAINABLE WORKWEAR SUPPLIER

 

NEED A SUMMARY? 

Share this page with the key decision makers in your business, or download our PDF summary below:

DOWNLOADABLE PDF

GET STARTED TODAY!

Ready to join the growing number of UK businesses choosing sustainable packaging with Johnsons Workwear? Whether you're an existing customer ready to switch or just exploring your workwear options, we’re here to help.