The Laundry team makes plans for action

The Massey Laundry team meet with us yesterday introducing their new team members (Gwn, Georgie and Rick) and gave us an energetic pitch that covered the project's purpose and their first trial. First showing us a video clip to set the scene the team launched dramatically into their pitch.

The team looks at the laundry service on campus as an opportunity to create culture. They relate back to the residential hall the Cube and the social experiences they had in the shared laundry. Saying like the Cube, Massey is a hub where student gather on campus at the same time, that not only can the laundry get students clothes clean, but can be a location to socialise. 

Where does the team want to put it? For the location the laundry team says they think a central place with indoor outdoor flow is best. The place would be aerated, easily seen, somewhere on the outskirts of the campus so student don't have to carry their washing through the uni. Identifying level 3 in the SST building as a place they'd think would work, saying it is central, possibilities for aeration and with breakout spaces in the building for people to wait for their clothes to be clean.

The team also identified some problems they may come across:

• Health & safety - will need clear instructions on how to use the machines
• Paying for the service - paying coinage for the machines is a possibility, but where would people get the coins from. Could it be a token system? Or is it swipe access with a paid membership, or even something to a co-op scheme?
• University backlash
• Laws - this project will need to conform to any laws, hygiene, commercial appliances etc.
• Sustainable - what ever the project creates will need to either be breaking even or creating a profit
• Treaty of Waitangi - the solution will need to be respectful of Māori culture.

The trial was pitched to run over 5-10 days, the team will hire machines from Mr Rental or buy 2nd hand off Trade Me. The team will push the laundry hard through advertising with videos, posters - they identify themselves as a team with strong skills in people to people communication. Gwn told us how at his highschool they had a laundry next to the school canteen. They all believe the laundry will be a huge selling point to nursing students and the soon-to-have-a-uniform sport and exercise students.

Next came the Pros:

• The laundry will be a comfortable environment
• People don't have to worry about kitting out their flat with a washing machine
• Most people flat close to uni, or with fairer fairs commuting washing in won't be a problem.
• Uniforms and gym gear will be easily washable
• It will bring people together and create friendships

The cons - Jack claims none at all.

The feedback
Both Mags and myself (Marie) were very impressed with the teams pitch. We have asked the team to go out and talk to students about their assumptions and then bring back a more thought-out proposal detailing costs, dates and how the team will measure their impact. To help the team out Mags and I will try to find a space for the team to host the trial and even see if their are any staff members keen to come onboard. It was also speculated that starting with driers might be a better option, as they only require power, not water too.