August 10, 2004

Washington, DC [August 10, 2004 ] – Representatives of both the Uniform and Textile Service Association (UTSA) and the Textile Rental Services Association (TRSA) presented the latest results from the textile service industry’s voluntary environmental program, LaundryESP® (Laundry Environmental Stewardship Program), to members of the Environmental Protection Agency on July 20.

The LaundryESP results, representing six years of industry improvements, were more than UTSA, TRSA or the EPA could have envisioned.

· 40 % REDUCTION - POLLUTANTS DISCHARGED

· 12.5 % REDUCTION - WATER USAGE

· 11 % REDUCTION - ENERGY USAGE

SIGNIFICANT SUBSTITUTIONS OF ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY WASH CHEMICALS

LaundryESP , a joint initiative between UTSA and TRSA, was highly praised for its exceptional results. Conceptualized in 1999, LaundryESP encompasses 170 textile service companies and 750 laundry plants which account for 70 percent of the industry’s production. The EPA guided the textile service industry during the program’s initial development.

LaundryESP ’s primary goal is to expand on the textile service industries’ continued commitment to their local environments. The underlying premise of the textile service industry has always been based on the fundamental concepts of recycle and reuse. LaundryESP and its commitment to environmental protection and resource conservation is an extension of this concept.

On July 20, David Dunlap of UTSA presented the LaundryESP results to the Environmental Protection Agency; Tom Storm of Washing Systems Inc. gave running commentary of the wash chemical industry; Robert Schaffer of Coyne Textile Services represented the operator’s point of view; and Michael Wilson attended on behalf of TRSA.

“We kept our promise. Through the leadership of UTSA and TRSA, the industry has achieved significant improvements in its environmental performance. In fact, we have been able to voluntarily produce results that go beyond those once forecast as the benefits of the withdrawn industrial laundry effluent guideline. This is an excellent example of how a voluntary program, which fosters flexibility and individualized corporate responsibility, can out produce the government’s traditional command and control approach.” said David Dunlap, Director of Environmental Affairs of UTSA.

Schaffer, who also serves as chairman of TRSA’s Environment Committee, added that, “Laundry ESP proves that private-sector/government collaboration beats confrontation hands down. We’re producing far greater progress, far faster and more cost effectively than would otherwise have happened,” Schaffer said. “That’s critically important for the 125,000 Americans who work in this industry—not to mention the thousands of customers that rely on them for services ranging from reusable healthcare and hospitality linens to uniforms and floor mats.”

Members of the textile industry and their customers worked together on pollution prevention and resource conservation solutions. As a result of strategic partnerships, LaundryESP has had an impact on many facilities, providing a cost-effective way for these facilities to enhance environmental performance.

LaundryESP raised awareness throughout the textile service industry and brought a greater level of environmental responsibility to the foreground. As a team, UTSA and TRSA will continue to monitor the industry’s performance and look for ways to become even more environmentally friendly.

LaundryESP – Laundry Environmental Stewardship Program – is a UTSA/TRSA pollution prevention and resource conservation program. LaundryESP participation is voluntary, all data is collected and stored on a confidential basis.

For more information about or how to become a partner in LaundryESP , please contact: David Dunlap, Director, Environmental Affairs, Uniform and Textile Service Association at 800-486-6745 or dunlap@utsa.com (www.utsa.com); or Michael Wilson, Director, Government Affairs, Textile Rental Services Association at 877-770-9274 or mwilson@trsa.org (www.trsa.org).

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Businesses and other types of organizations of all sizes rely on the textile service industry. The industry services light, heavy and hi-tech manufacturing; healthcare; restaurant services; retail, construction, and transportation industries; and institutions. Customers rely on the industry for clean and protective textiles to ensure the safety and well-being of their employees and customers, to promote a professional image, and to safeguard product quality during manufacturing.

Press Contacts

Bob Schaffer Textile Rental Services Association 1800 Diagonal Road, Suite 200 Alexandria, VA 703/519-0029 bschaffer@trsa.org

David Dunlap Uniform & Textile Service Association 1300 North 17th Street, Suite 750 Arlington, VA 22209 703/247-2608 dunlap@utsa.com