Washboard Eco-Laundry Emphasizes Environmental Stewardship and Energy Conservation
Washboard Eco-Laundry‘s progress in the Governor’s Carbon Challenge is not surprisingly at the top of the participant list for carbon emission reductions. With their dual emphasis on energy conservation and environmental stewardship, husband and wife owners, Jason Wentworth and Sandrine Chabert, transformed an existing small business to a thriving business while making a 27% reduction in carbon emissions from their 2001 baseline. This accomplishment already exceeds their aggressive 25% program goal set for 2010. Financially, their implemented energy saving strategies also saved their small business nearly $80,000 in the first five years of operation. And not surprisingly, their small business (three employees) with green core business values is respected in Portland, as well as lauded statewide and nationally as a successful model in the business sector.
Small business owner, and former state legislator and Bates College environmental coordinator, Jason Wentworth says, “One of the things most valuable to me about the Governor’s Carbon Challenge is knowing that our business is not alone—that I am working with a larger group of businesses that are committed to the goal of reducing the environmental impact of what we do. Being a part of the Governor’s Carbon Challenge has not changed the way we do business; but it has encouraged us to look more closely at every area of what we do to find any place where we could reduce our carbon footprint.”
After purchasing the Laundromat in 2002, Jason and Sandrine completely renovated the laundry and reopened in January, 2003 with their new emphasis on energy conservation and environmental stewardship. Their twofold approach included making an environmentally and customer friendly business. New washers (20) and dryers (18) dramatically reduced the use of electricity and natural gas, as well as water and detergent use. More efficient washing machines also extract more water which in turn reduces “drying time” of clothes by some 40%, saving money and energy. And new energy efficient lighting and windows were added and the water heater/boiler was upgraded. Building insulation and a high efficiency radiant floor heating system were also installed. Low impact materials used included natural linoleum, wheat board, recycled and locally milled lumber, and dyed concrete and low VOC paints. The laundry atmosphere is more relaxing and quiet customer friendly too, with a comfortable seating area, interesting music (no TV,) up-to-date reading material, community bulletin board, and public restroom.
Further enhancements to reduce environmental impact include a solar hot water system and basic heat recovery system for the dryers, that both help to significantly reduce natural gas consumption for the business. Washboard’s business values and community message are also seen with their local bike and trailer deliveries in Portland, which they plan to expand with the addition of a new trailer in the future. Washboard Eco-Laundry received the Governor’s environmental stewardship award in 2004 and US EPA recognition as the National Small Business of the Year in 2005 in the environmental stewardship category.
The Governor’s Carbon Challenge, operated out of DEP’s Office of Innovation, is a voluntary goal-setting program to assist businesses and non-profit organizations accomplish their greenhouse gas emission reduction goals.
