Amongst plastic, paper, stainless steel, glass, vinyl and cotton fabric, cotton fabric was the material with the lowest half-life, implying that the COVID-19 virus dies faster on this type of surface compared to paper surfaces, according to independent research. Consumers do not see textiles as a relevant path for contamination of COVID-19, according to the European Union (EU). Using updated data for the use of energy and water in washing of laundry decreases the climate impact from the use of textiles to only half of the impact from disposables, when comparing previously performed life cycle assessments (LCAs) of textile and disposable table linen. Recycling of textile fibres, use of alternative fibres in textile-production and increased use of non-fossil energy in the washing process, are continuously decreasing environmental impacts from textiles, the EU noted in an analysis. Multi-use of textile table linen in circular processes is already preferable to use of disposables, and several ongoing processes strongly y point at further environmental benefits from use of textile table linen as compared to disposables in the future. Each job created in textile service industry creates another 0.25 indirect and induced jobs. The European and the US textile service sectors together support almost 330 000 jobs in all. The diversity amongst workers in the sector clearly reflects the important role that the laundry and textile service industry has for the provision of jobs and opportunities for foreign-born people. The textile service industry is a motor for integration in countries through-out the world, the EU said. Choosing textile table linen generates jobs locally through textile service companies. Supporting the sector is, therefore, utterly important in times with rising unemployment, the EU added.
