Making sustainable spa uniforms a priority
The Spa Collaborative teamed up with Fashionizer Spa to conduct a survey on industry attitudes towards spa uniforms and sustainability. Here is what we learnt, and how we can move forward.
Sustainability remains a top priority for spa operators, but less so in the consideration of spa uniforms, which are more often dictated by price and durability.
Following on from our blog post about making spa uniforms more inclusive, we decided to conduct a small survey of 16 spa industry professionals to gauge their attitudes on spa uniforms in particular.
Spa survey results
Spa uniform price has become a priority post pandemic, while style was the main consideration prior. Of those surveyed, 43.8% also said their budget has decreased post-pandemic, aligning with the significant impact Covid-19 has had on the wellness industry as a whole.
The cleanliness of uniforms is also more important now, with 75% responding that they are laundering their uniforms more frequently. This in turn makes durability more essential and prioritises time-saving fabrics - 50% said their preferred spa uniform material is ‘no ironing’.
How can we make spa uniforms more sustainable?
People expect greater transparency and an honest approach to sustainability, but attempting to achieve this in every aspect of the spa industry all at once is overwhelming and obstacle-ridden.
Instead, we suggest breaking down the actions needed, aiming for better not perfect.
Focusing on spa uniforms in particular, we spoke to Debbie Leon, Director of Fashionizer Spa, about the options available and how they could benefit spa businesses long term.
What are the benefits to a spa for offering more sustainable uniforms?
The main benefit is actually a holistic one. We all need to make small changes to our lifestyles to contribute to a more sustainable existence and this is a small change that makes such a difference because:
Quality uniforms are durable and last longer
Natural fibres are biodegradable
Recycled polyester uses recycled bottles and not virgin polyester
What options are available for spas wishing to purchase more sustainable uniforms?
You can find extensive information on choosing a sustainable fabric on our website, here.
Why are sustainable options more expensive?
Organic cotton: scarcity, under 1% of cotton grown is organic, and the yield without pesticides or irrigation is lower therefore the price is higher
Recycled polyester: the process for producing this is more complex
Other sustainable fibres are developed by large companies who invest in long research to create them (a bit like pharmaceuticals) so they then need to recover this cost in the sales of these fabrics
Generally, the quality of these fabrics is superior