Innovation

We spoke with Karen Mignone on the Sustainability Team at Xeros, and she provided insight on the origins of Xeros. She informed us about history and development of Xeros. The idea used by Xeros grew from within the Leed’s University, which created many hypotheses but the one viable solution that they found was that polymer was capable of removing unwanted stains from soiled clothing. Furthermore, it is environmentally beneficial which shows the innovation’s ability to overall reduce water usage, water pollution and energy consumption.

After a few more years of research and development, the polymer beads were proven to be effective in cleaning clothing by absorbing dirt and stains. Xeros washing facilities are revolutionizing the ways in which the world looks at laundry and the ability to clean soiled clothes. After observing the process in which fabrics are dyed using polymer beads, researchers were curious to see if the process could be reversed in some way, after years of research, CEO Mark Nichols founded Xeros in 2006. After further development Xeros Laundry facilities have developed into a viable and sustainable alternative to standard laundry methods.

Inspiration

The concept first began to sprout when professor Stephen Burkinshaw at the University of Leed’s, in the United Kingdom, and his team thought of an idea that could remove unwanted stains without adding unnecessary contamination found in traditional detergents of our water supply. They observed the process in which clothing is dyed, and studied to see if this process could be reversed to clean the fabrics instead of dye them.

Overall impact

The overall impact of Xeros is not only to satisfy customers but help our planet become more sustainable. The environmental benefits that Xeros provides involve saving water, which has become a very important goal since our water is very important. On the company webpage they state “Saving water, one bead at a time,” which shows how easy and possible it is to save water when it comes to cleaning clothes. The company has shown that it is possible to be in big business and remain sustainable. The company has won the 2017 sustainability award and were recognized for taking proper care of the planet and still be a profitable business.

The main SDGs that Xeros aligns with are GOAL 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, GOAL 7: Affordable and Clean Energy, GOAL 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, GOAL 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, GOAL 17: Partnerships to achieve the Goal. Xeros as a company has provided a sustainable method to the over consumption and contamination of water during the traditional laundry process.

Business benefit

The Xeros Washing Machine is able to successfully support both business and sustainability goals, since it can offer a product to the world that not only serves a functional purpose, but does so in a more sustainable manner. Although the product is profitable, it is still faced with adversity in entering the laundry business because of the already existing major corporations who see this company as a threat. This product has seen major successes in area where water shortages are dire such as Cape Town, South Africa where a deadline has been set, estimating when the city will run out of water.

Social and environmental benefit

What makes Xeros so unique is the polymer bead cleaning technology used in its machines. The plastic bead absorb stains, stray dye, and soil, and separates them from the article of clothing resulting not only in cleaner clothes but also a cleaner process doing so. Overall the company has best of intentions with the implementation of their product, according to Karen, “The purpose of this innovation was to help protect our planet since laundry companies are ruining our planet by wasting so much water and adding chemicals that sadly still end up in the water supply.” While the beads are plastic they are 100% recyclable, and ideally the beads should last for hundreds upon hundreds of wash loads. To ensure these beads do not end up in a landfill Xeros has customized a plastic collection when one joins the Sbeadycare program; a customized laundry management program.

The Xeros Washing Machines are able to reduce water consumption of each load of laundry by 75%. The laundry beads allows Xeros machine to wash fabrics at lower temperature thereby conserving energy and reducing general wear and tear washing with a traditional washing machine. Lessening usage of water in turn lessens the amount of liquid that needs to be heated up as well. The detergent use is also halved. The polymer beads are paired with a proprietary detergent formula that reduces discharge of phosphates into the water supply by 50%. By combining lower wash temperatures with the beads’ ability to absorb stray colors, one can minimize time and labor of doing laundry. Also, there will no longer be a need to pretreat stains and separate colors into different loads. Xeros superior way of saving water, energy and money has made it one of the largest innovations in laundry business. Companies such as Sterling Linens Services have started encouraging and promoting the Xeros machines for their gentle yet effective touch, in the way it cleans. The product has seen notable success in areas that have a very limited water supply such as South Africa. Overall this product has the capability to efficiently clean clothes while integrating sustainability into our daily lives, and has the potential to significantly help populations in areas where water resources are scarce.

Interview

Karen Mignone, Global Director, Sustainability and Environmental Affairs