Innovation is in 5àsec DNA, that gain its reputation and experience in a continuous and hardworking technological investigation process. As world leader in dry-cleaning and number 1 in Portugal for more than 30 years, 5àsec is proud to present its evolutions in the sector and translate those into daily actions:
FIGHTING AGAINST WAIST PRODUCTION
HANGER RECOVERY PROGRAM
We ask all our customers to return the provided metal hangers to the shop so allow a wider lifespan. At the same time we are introducing new reusable hangers: more rigids and that can hold the garments for much longer. These new hangers have a greater lifespan.
ZERO PLASTIC OBJECTIVE
PLASTIC USAGE REDUCTION PROGRAM
With the introduction of the reusable suit-cover available in most 5àsec shops, we are promoting the dismiss of the plastic cover mostly used in all dry-cleaners. For now it is not the most requested item by our costumers, however it has become and essential item in our shop network, for example, in Switzerland, where three in each four clients use it, it was possible to reduce the plastic cover in 80% in just three years.
PROTECT THE WATERS
DETERGENTS WITH 0% PHOSPHATES
Today all liquid detergents homologated by 5àsec are phosphate free and by that we assure the protection of rivers and lakes.
EU ECOLABEL CERTIFICATE ON DETERGENTS
The choice of natural products is our current brand aknowledgement for development of additional treatments. Anti-mites treatment, for example, is based on an alcohol generated by herbs and essential oils that have repulsive proprieties. Also, 5àsec demanded to their suppliers ecological solutions for their detergents.
A 2 year collaboration allowed us to create new products and gain the Ecolabel European Certification in 2018.
REDUCE CONSUMPTIONS
WATER AND ENERGY REDUCTION
Water is an essential resource for your activity. Used to textile washing, but also needed to cool down the dry-cleaning machinery system. This last pre-heated water can be later used in the washing machines, saving considerable amount of water per day, also reducing the amount of energy that is required to warm up the water and the machine itself.
According to a study posted by CINET, professional cleaners save 17% in electricity and 35% in waster when compared with home washing machines.
DOSING SYSTEMS STANDARTIZATION
Most 5àsec laundries are equipped with automatic product dosing systems.
These optimized systems guarantee reliable and precise dosages with the use of programs adapted to the type of articles that are being treated without forgetting the maximum safety for the shop work teams, that no longer need to handle the products manually.
These systems offer the advantage of controlling the quantity of product that is applied and ensure a perfect cleaning and a controlled impact on wastewater.
CHOOSING A SIMPLE AND EFFICIENT TECHNOLOGY
PERCHLOROETHYLENE DISMISS AND DOUBLE CHOICE ON KWL E 5AQUA© CLEANING TECHNOLOGY.
For more than 10 years, the brand has been developing an extensive R&D program to find alternative cleaning options. From these researches 5aqua was born. An exclusive process that allows washing almost all textiles, even the most delicate ones.
In parallel, studies have been carried out that identify KWL (currently the solvent marked with the highest environmental classification) as the ideal dry-cleaning solution.
Since 2015, 5àsec has stopped installing dry-cleaning machines with perchloroethylene, even in countries where this prohibition does not yet exist. The substitution by a technology with hydrocarbons allowed us to reduce up to 8 times the amount of solvent used while guaranteeing a sanitary quality for the laundry workers. In addition, 5aqua cleaning has enabled more and more laundries to be equipped with water-only technology.
CREATE AWARENESS TO OUR TEAMS AND PARTNERS
ECO-RESPONSIBLE TRAINING PROGRAMS
Specific modules on Sustainable Development knowledge were created within the scope of continuous training and in the initial training program made available to each new employee. These modules present the historical actions and their evolutions carried out by the group and sensitize workers to practice eco-responsible behavior in the laundries.
Support actions on “Eco Behavior” were developed specifically to raise awareness among workers to practice sustainable actions in their daily lives.