Dibella founds GoodTextiles Foundation

Thanks to the charitable GoodTextiles Foundation most recently founded by Dibella, socially and ecologically engaged hotel guests and entrepreneurs can become involved in sustainable projects within the textiles value added chain. Use of the donations collected during the first initiative, the ‘GoodCotton Fund’, means that the living conditions of ecologically operating small cotton farmers will be improved. Dibella has been engaged for years now in sustainably produced hotel textiles. The goods which have been certified according to the well recognised GOTS standard made out of fair trade cotton are exclusively delivered to textile service companies whose customers in the hotel industry and catering trade also wish to take on social responsibility for their guest laundry. Speaking from experience, Ralf Hellmann, MD, Dibella, stated that information about socially and ecologically compatible textiles rarely reaches guests however: “In doing so, reference to the special textiles for a hotel or restaurant is an excellent means to achieve customer loyalty. A guest who comes to know in detail about the far-reaching mindfulness of an establishment is very happy to come back and will also share his experiences with others.”

A sustainable participation model

Dibella is now tackling the problem of the long communication channels existing from the manufacturer to the user by launching a unique campaign. The company has founded the charitable GoodTextiles Foundation. Using the funds it has set up it is promoting ecological and social projects within the textiles value added chain. The funds will be financed by donations which engaged guests and responsible entrepreneurs are called to make. Folded cards for placing in guest rooms make reference to the foundation and explain the goals of the current activities. The folded cards are provided free of charge by Dibella to rental service customers who pass them on to their customers in the hotel industry and catering trade.

Projects being planned need curators

The ‘GoodCotton Fund’ is the foundation’s first initiative to be established by Dibella. It supports improvement of the living conditions of ecologically operating small cotton farmers in India. The first project supported by the fund to the tune of EUR 30,498 serves to establish an education and training centre for biological agriculture in Adilabad District. (More information: www.goodtextiles.org). It is being implemented in cooperation with experts for sustainable textile production, environmental development and CSR initiatives. Since there are further funds being planned for GoodWage, GoodCloth or GoodWork, Dibella wishes to install an independent board of trustees to advise its Management Board. “For this purpose we are searching interesting personalities who wish to engage in an honorary voluntary role to improve sustainability within the textiles value added chain”, explained Hellmann. “We are happy to receive applications.”