London Linen Group launches EkoChef Trousers at Hotelympia

Linen and chefs wear supplier the London Linen Group have been in attendance at Hotelympia this week to launch EkoChef Trousers, made entirely from recycled plastic bottles.

Following the success of the EkoChef Jacket which came to market late last year, each pair of trousers is created using 21 two-litre bottles, using 80 per cent less energy in production, saving on CO2 and reducing landfill.

“We’re positioning EkoChef Trousers as the definitive chef’s trouser, and I don’t think that’s an implausible statement,” said Roger Oliver, The London Linen Group’s managing director.

“There’s no additional cost to a business but everything to gain from making the change. In essence, they’re the right trousers for today’s sustainable business and we believe the Hospitality Industry is ready to embrace this initiative as part of customer’s own CSR and sustainability programmes.”

Trouser Amnesty

To coincide with the product’s release, the Group has also launched the Trouser Amnesty for charities Hospitality Action and Springboard.

The Trouser Amnesty is inviting chefs to send a pair of their old chefs’ trousers and they will be sent back a new pair of EkoChef Trousers for free, raising money in the process for every pair of trousers redeemed. The initiative has the backing of the BHA and Footprint Forum.

“The Trouser Amnesty is all about benefiting catering and hospitality operations and our industry’s charities,” added Oliver. “it’s about creating awareness that here is a sustainable solution when it comes to the procurement of chefs wear, to fit with those companies looking for new ways of embracing sustainability policies across their business.

The process

“Not least, the process is fascinating. Plastic water bottles are sterilized, cleaned and dried, then crushed and ground into small chips. The resultant chips are melted and reformulated, before being ground into polyester threads.

“Not only is the resultant fabric comfortable but it is totally fit for purpose; it feels and looks like classic chefs wear”.

For more information on the EkoChef Trousers or EkoChef Jacket, or to find out more about the Amnesty, visit www.londonlinen.co.uk.