In this article, Purwa Poddar, Founder, The Laundry Concierge, shares the philosophy that earned her company international recognition at the CINET CSR & Sustainability Awards 2026. She discusses how sustainability, circularity and social responsibility have been integrated into the business model, creating value for customers, communities and the environment
In April 2026, Palak Poddar, Founder’s Office, The Laundry Concierge had the honour of receiving the prestigious CSR & Sustainability Award from CINET at Amsterdam, one of the highest global recognitions in the professional textile care industry.
Standing on an international stage alongside industry leaders from around the world was a proud moment for us—not simply because we had won an award, but because it validated a belief we have held since the inception of our company: Sustainability and business success are not separate pursuits; they must be built together.
For us, this recognition represents years of deliberate decisions, operational changes and a commitment to creating long-term value for customers, communities and the environment.
The award is not a culmination of our journey but rather an important milestone that reaffirms the responsibility we carry as a growing Indian company in an industry that is uniquely positioned to drive positive environmental change.
Business Building
When we founded The Laundry Concierge, our vision extended beyond operating a premium laundry and dry-cleaning company. We wanted to change the way people perceive textile care altogether.
The Laundry Concierge today offers luxury dry cleaning and textile preservation services for discerning consumers while also being forerunners in providing linen rental and linen management solutions for hotels, institutions and student accommodation facilities.
Although these businesses operate in different segments, they share one common philosophy: Extending the useful life of textiles and reducing unnecessary consumption.
Every garment saved from premature disposal and every linen managed effectively contributes to a more sustainable future.
In a world increasingly challenged by overconsumption and waste generation, preservation has become one of the most powerful forms of sustainability.
Achieving Sustainability
People often ask what sustainability means within our business. The answer is simple: It is embedded into our everyday operations.
It means investing in processes that prolong the lifespan of garments and linens. It means reducing waste wherever possible. It means rethinking logistics, optimising resources and ensuring that every operational decision creates value beyond profitability.
Over the years, we have built a culture where sustainability is not owned by one department; it is owned by every member of our organisation.
This mindset has allowed us to develop initiatives that support environmental responsibility while also delivering measurable benefits to our customers.
Our work extends beyond textile care and into creating a circular economy where materials are preserved, repurposed and utilised to their fullest potential.
Meaningful Impact
The CSR component of the award holds special significance for us. We strongly believe that sustainability cannot exist without social responsibility. Businesses have an obligation to contribute meaningfully to the communities they operate within.
Over the years, we have collaborated with various organisations to ensure textiles that no longer meet operational standards can continue serving a purpose rather than ending up in landfills.
Initiatives have included donating professionally cleaned garments to underserved communities, repurposing discarded textiles into useful products and supporting organisations that create social impact through resource recovery.
We have also continuously worked towards educating customers about responsible consumption and the importance of extending the lifecycle of garments.
These may seem like small interventions individually, but collectively they create a significant impact.
Common Award
Receiving the CSR & Sustainability Award from CINET is deeply humbling because it recognises an idea larger than any one organisation. It acknowledges that the textile care industry itself is evolving.
Traditionally viewed as a support service, professional textile care is emerging as an essential component of the circular economy. Every professionally maintained textile represents reduced consumption, reduced waste and reduced environmental burden.
As sustainability expectations continue to rise globally, our industry has a tremendous opportunity—and responsibility—to become active contributors towards achieving these goals. We believe India is exceptionally well positioned to lead this transformation.
Indian businesses have always demonstrated ingenuity, resilience and an ability to build scalable solutions under constraints. By combining these strengths with sustainability-focused innovation, we can become global leaders in responsible textile care.
Looking Ahead
Awards are important because they provide recognition and encouragement, but they are not the destination. For us, the award in Amsterdam serves as a reminder that our work has only begun.
The future of textile care will be defined by circularity, technology, responsible consumption and collaborative partnerships.
Consumers, hospitality businesses and institutions are increasingly seeking partners that align with their sustainability objectives, and we believe textile care companies will play a central role in helping them achieve those goals.
At The Laundry Concierge, we remain committed to pushing these boundaries further. As founders, one of the most rewarding aspects of this journey has been proving that luxury service, operational excellence and sustainability are not competing priorities—they strengthen one another.
Receiving international recognition for this philosophy is an honour we are immensely proud of.
More importantly, it reinforces our conviction that businesses of the future will not be measured solely by revenue or growth, but by the positive impact they create on society and the planet.
If our journey from Mumbai to Amsterdam has taught us anything, it is this: Sustainability is no longer the future of business.
It is the business.