The process for scouring our laundry clean should be made more efficient. Conserving depleting resources is the need of the hour and, therefore, looking for solutions that are sustainable and preserve our resources is crucial.
Finding ways to do our laundry the eco-savvy way is a great idea and will help to reduce the burden on energy and material resources. There are three different ways devised by this methodology; fast, slow, and co-operative. In addition to the green benefits, there are other advantages of opting for this type of laundry system. It strengthens cultural ties in the neighborhood and is a good way to know your neighbors.
The main advantage of this system is that it helps to conserve water and energy. In an urban setting, we tend to waste several resources. Washing machines consume water and energy. They also generate solid waste and add to air and water pollution. Thus swapping it with a more sustainable system will be better. This system also saves an individualâs time and effort, although some might be bothered about privacy. Therefore, implementing this plan is a good way to combat the impending energy and environment crisis.
It is quite simple and applies basic fundamentals. The loads of clothing is segregated according to the color into three types; white, black and white, and colored. Both energy as well as time are saved this way. This system also holds gray water. Physical energy of a crank mechanism is utilized for small loads while there is a provision to make use of alternative energy also whenever required. The impact is further reduced by using recycled materials. The front loading system put into practice uses up to 75% lesser energy.
Taking inspiration from Sustainable Everyday by Enzio Manzini, the slow system is also quite great. It is based upon the idea of sharing of resources. But this is implemented with relative comfort. This way when you take out your laundry for a wash, you can have some privacy. The concept of sharing is quite ethical and adds to the green cause. Another benefit is that it helps you interact with people around and you can get to know people who live in your locality.
The third and last approach, the co-operative system, is touted to be the most efficient. It uses gray water, this gives it many pointers and sets it ahead of the other systems. At the end, the water is also filtered again. It can rightly be called as a system that looks after water resources. Also, it makes use of physical and alternative energy for its working.
Laundries shared by people are better than each house having a machine of their own to wash clothes. A public private partnership for setting up such laundries is ideal. This model can help to create a self sustaining micro economy. The thought of using recycled materials to build the machine is remarkable, but it should be efficient, easy to repair.
