TRSA Will Work for a Stronger Federal Prison Industries Bill

Environmental Compliance Expert Joins TRSA Team

ALEXANDRIA, VA – The Textile Rental Services Association of America (TRSA) announced today that former EPA official Bob Schaffer has joined the TRSA team as director of environmental affairs. Schaffer will pilot the management of TRSA initiatives aimed at enhancing environmental protection, such as the Laundry Environmental Stewardship Program (LaundryESP â).

“As textile rental companies ramp up their efforts on resource conservation and pollutant reduction from commercial laundries, TRSA must lead the way on environmental issues,” said TRSA President and CEO Roger Cocivera. “Bob Schaffer is uniquely qualified to do just that. I am delighted that he is coming on board.”

Schaffer previously has chaired TRSA’s Environment Committee as director of the environmental program for Coyne Textile Services (CTS), Syracuse , NY . Schaffer said he looks forward to helping TRSA members and the industry at large do more to enhance environmental protection. “I look forward to joining the TRSA staff and developing a strong program that will provide our members with helpful products and guidance to meet ever-increasing federal, state and local environmental requirements," Schaffer said. "Environmental issues are industry issues, and we will continue working to achieve the best results for members."

Schaffer has over 45 years’ experience in the environmental field, including working in industry, government and consulting. After serving in the U.S. Public Health Service, he joined Dow Chemical Co., developing and testing chemicals for wastewater treatment. As a senior executive in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, he managed programs in research, enforcement and regulatory development.

Schaffer has managed the Washington D.C. offices of major environmental consultants serving government and industry. He joined Coyne Textile Services in 1993 and will continue his service there. Schaffer has also served on various textile rental industry task forces, including LaundryESP, an industry-sponsored initiative that recently announced dramatic gains in energy/water conservation and progress in reducing effluent wastes.

The Textile Rental Services Association of America (TRSA) is a national trade association representing over 1,100 company locations across the nation. Since 1913, TRSA members have provided textile maintenance and rental services to commercial, industrial and institutional accounts-over 90 percent of TRSA member companies are small businesses. TRSA members serve hygienically clean textile and dust control items to millions of customers in commerce, industry, and other professions, from automobile service to manufacturing, restaurants and hospitals. The textile rental industry generates yearly sales of roughly $11 billion. U.S. linen supply and industrial laundering companies employ more than 110,000 people.