Reusable textiles offer powerful advantages for modern businesses. Beyond being environmentally responsible, they provide long-term savings and can even improve operational efficiency. As more industries explore greener practices, reusable options for uniforms, napkins, towels, and personal protective equipment are gaining traction.
This guide outlines the cost benefits, sustainability gains, and industry-specific examples of reusable textiles—plus practical insights into implementation and replacement.
What Are Textile Goods?
Textile goods are products made from woven, knitted, or nonwoven fabrics. These include items like uniforms, towels, napkins, and protective clothing used in industries such as health care, hospitality, and manufacturing. Textile goods can be either disposable or reusable, depending on the material and intended use.
Financial Benefits of Reusable Textiles
There are many industries where they have the choice between using reusable textile goods and disposable items, as is the case with medical uniforms, restaurant napkins, automotive repair uniforms, and various types of personal protection equipment (PPE).
When comparing the upfront costs of reusable and disposable options, some companies automatically assume that disposables’ lower prices mean they are the better solution. While it’s true that disposables often come with a lower price tag upfront, they can cost significantly more over time when used regularly.
By calculating the per-use cost over the product’s lifespan, companies can see significant savings—particularly when bulk laundering services are included. When factored into an annual budget, reusable solutions often prove to be more cost-effective materials. Disposable prices are more affected by market fluctuations.
Environmental Considerations
Cost is only part of the equation. The long-term environmental impact of disposable materials is difficult to ignore. Using disposable solutions does generate a significant amount of waste, even if the items are biodegradable. Additionally, the sustained usage of disposables could equally deplete the amount of natural resources available.
While some disposables are biodegradable, they still contribute to resource depletion, greenhouse gas emissions, and landfill overuse. Reusables help slow these trends by minimizing waste.
Reusable Textiles and Water Efficiency
While it’s true that laundering reusable textiles uses water, this is often far less than the amount required to manufacture paper-based disposable products. Commercial laundering services have made strides in reducing water usage through advanced washing technology and closed-loop systems.
Reusable materials also prevent the constant production cycle of paper-based goods, which relies heavily on water for pulping and processing.
Disposables Can Still Be Appropriate
In situations where the items are only needed once or twice, using disposables would most likely be the most cost-efficient solution.
For example:
Your company is doing its annual detailed spring cleaning, and all the employees pitch in. To ensure employees are protected, the company provides disposable gloves, face masks, and aprons they can wear while performing various cleaning tasks. Since this event only occurs once a year, using disposables tends to be the most appropriate and cost-effective.
On the other hand, if the goods are something you will be using regularly for the long term, you’ll want to consider their lifespan.
For example:
A restaurant needs to provide a clean napkin to every guest. A disposable napkin has a single-use lifespan, but a cloth napkin can be washed and reused many times before it needs to be replaced. Some can last years, resulting in a much lower total cost than using disposable napkins.
There are times where disposables may not necessarily be the most cost-effective solution, yet are the most appropriate solution based on the work environment and potential workplace hazards.
For instance:
In surgical procedures, surgeons will use disposable gloves to address concerns about the hazards of bodily fluids and blood. Disposable medical products like this are crucial to health and safety.
Industries Leading the Way in Reusable Adoption
Certain industries are better positioned to benefit from reusable solutions. In many cases, early adopters have already seen cost reductions and improved sustainability.
Health Care
In the 1960s, disposable gowns, towels, and drapes were introduced to the health care industry with the rationale that these items provided better barrier protection. While some may still argue that disposable supplies are more sanitary, the advances in technology over the past 50 years have provided us with reusable items that are just as safe.
Reusable hospital gowns, drapes, and towels are now made with fabrics that meet infection control standards. Their performance rivals disposable alternatives, and medical uniform rental services make laundering easy.
In fact:
- U.S. hospitals produce nearly 6 million tons of waste annually, with each patient generating about 33.8 pounds of waste on a daily basis.1
- In one specific study, the University of Maryland Medical Center reported that, in 2010, using reusable supplies prevented the disposal of 138,748 pounds of waste and saved $38,000 on hauling costs.2
- Cloth gowns can be sterilized and reused 50 times or more, providing major waste and cost reductions over time.3
Manufacturing and Pharmaceuticals
One of the top priorities for manufacturing and pharmaceutical companies is to provide clean garments for their employees. Since the garments have to meet standard sterility requirements, the use of disposables is highly prevalent in these industries.
Today, sterile garments can extend far beyond traditional disposables. For example, antimicrobial finishes on reusable garments prevent the release of contaminants to the sterile environment. Considering that disposable garments are only worn once and then incinerated or disposed of in a landfill, the impact to the environment is severe.
Reusable cleanroom apparel—including sterile goggles and mop systems—is gaining traction due to both compliance and cost incentives. A 2020 study found that labs can reduce costs by 58% just by using reusable clean garments.4 This is a massive amount of savings, considering that even small facilities spend serious money on waste incineration or disposal.
Hospitality
The hospitality industry, which includes hotels and restaurants, relies heavily on the use of disposable products such as paper towels and napkins. Hotel guests alone are estimated to generate about 2.5 pounds of trash each day, around half of which is actually recyclable.5
Considering that tissue paper and towels (excluding bathroom tissue) create millions of tons of waste each year—about 3.8 million tons in 2018—hotels and restaurants are in a unique position to make a huge impact in reducing these numbers.6
Reusable linen napkins and towels dramatically reduce waste volume, and they align better with today’s guest expectations for more sustainable services.
Being socially responsible is not the only incentive for the hospitality industry to make the shift towards using reusable supplies. For example, encouraging guests to reuse their towels and have their linens changed only when necessary would minimize the amount of water waste, as well as reduce detergent and energy use.
Hospitality uniform rentals can also reduce waste from things like disposable aprons and hats, and they keep staff branded and consistent.
The Role of Reusable Textiles in Compliance and Safety
For industries governed by strict health and safety regulations, reusable textiles can actually improve compliance. High-quality reusable PPE, such as gowns and coveralls, often undergo more thorough quality checks and are laundered professionally to meet safety standards.
Unlike disposable gear, which is typically mass-produced at low cost, reusable garments are designed for durability and consistent performance. This helps businesses avoid issues with substandard products, while also meeting internal and external compliance expectations.
Regular laundering through certified programs ensures garments are sanitized and inspected frequently, reducing the likelihood of contamination or premature wear. By partnering with a uniform service provider, businesses can implement scheduled garment replacement cycles that align with safety standards without overstocking or guesswork.
Making Green Practices a Business Strategy
Even if you personally aren’t interested in going green, you can’t ignore how much impact this step can have on a business. Beyond making healthy choices for a cleaner planet, going green can increase production as well as sales.
Consumers are paying attention to what companies do now more than ever before, and the green movement is just one element of this process. They prefer to buy from companies that make an effort to go green. Reusables offer an easy, visible way to demonstrate environmental responsibility. They also attract customers who prioritize sustainability.
Here are a few simple ways businesses can adopt reusables:
- Use a uniform rental service for your employees. This involves reusing textiles in the form of clothing, and it makes for a great tax write-off for the company.
- Wearing uniforms also helps the company create a more professional look that employees and clients alike will respond to.
- Use cloth shop towels in the factory instead of disposable wipes or towels.
- Send uniforms, towels, and other reusable products for cleaning with a company that is Clean Green TRSA certified.
- Integrate reusable packaging for internal deliveries or inventory transfers. Instead of using single-use plastic wrap or boxes, use cloth bins or reusable crates.
Many restaurants and hotels around the world have adopted environmentally friendly practices. Such practices include providing shampoo and soap in dispensers, composting organic wastes, initiating campaigns to get their guests to reuse and recycle, and investing in better waste management programs.
Engaging Employees in Sustainability
You can make even more of a difference by getting your employees involved. They can wear their shop uniforms, but they can also get them cleaned through a green cleaning company that you coordinate. They can also contribute their own ideas so that they feel like they are a part of something rather than just following orders.
Here are a few other ways to give employees opportunities to contribute:
- Install bins to hold production scraps that can be recycled.
- Run green contests where employees can submit their ideas for using green methods.
- Do some reusing of your own by turning scraps and textiles into something else.
- Assign green team ambassadors to help lead and promote eco-friendly practices in each department.
- Organize brief educational sessions where employees can learn simple sustainability tips.
- Encourage staff to bring reusable water bottles, mugs, and containers to reduce single-use waste.
A team approach strengthens your green initiatives and builds morale.
Indirect Business Benefits
On top of all the benefits you’ll enjoy once consumers realize that you are going green with reusable textiles, you can also expect a growth in production. By letting your employees get involved directly, you make them feel as if they are part of something bigger than just another job. They will be happier for it and more motivated to complete the tasks at hand.
Since word of mouth is still the best method of marketing, you will reap even more benefits as your employees spread the word about your efforts to go green.
Sustainability isn’t just good for the planet—it creates positive momentum in brand image, productivity, and company culture.
Customer Perception and Competitive Differentiation
In today’s market, customers aren’t just looking at your product or service—they’re looking at how you operate. Businesses that demonstrate eco-conscious practices often enjoy a competitive edge. Using reusable textiles, particularly when accompanied by transparent environmental reporting, helps companies stand out in crowded industries.
A hotel that highlights its reduced waste through the use of reusable linens may appeal more to environmentally aware travelers. Likewise, restaurants that swap paper napkins for cloth options can promote this change on their menus or websites as part of their green promise. This builds brand loyalty, especially with those who actively seek out green businesses.
Predictability During Supply Chain Challenges
Using reusable textiles can also protect your business from supply chain issues. When there are global events like pandemics, material shortages, or shipping delays, companies that rely on single-use items often struggle to get the supplies they need. Prices go up, stock runs out, and operations slow down.
With reusable items, that risk is much lower. You don’t need to place constant orders for new products because you already have a system in place to reuse and clean what you own.
For example, businesses that rent uniforms or use reusable shop towels can stick to a regular cleaning and rotation schedule. This makes it easier to manage inventory and keep things running smoothly.
Instead of depending on suppliers to keep up with demand, your business gains more control. You’ll save time, avoid emergency orders, and reduce the impact of price spikes or delays. Reusables make your business more stable and prepared—even when the supply chain is unpredictable.
Sustainable Solutions with Prudential Overall Supply
Everything we need for survival hinges on the finite natural resources around us. Given this perspective, sustainability is a concern that should affect us all. Reusable textiles are one of the simplest ways your business can support the planet while reducing costs.
Whether you manage a hospital, a manufacturing site, or a restaurant, small changes can lead to major impacts. After all, it’s the small changes we make that can snowball into a huge difference for the environment.
Go Green the Smart Way with Our Rental Uniform Service
Our uniform rental service allows you to transition to reusable textiles easily and affordably. We handle cleaning, repairs, and replacements with Clean Green TRSA-certified practices—so you reduce your environmental impact while projecting a professional image.
Let’s build a greener, more cost-effective future together. Contact us today to learn more or request a custom uniform rental plan.
Sources:
- Jain N, LaBeaud D. How should US health care lead global change in plastic waste disposal? AMA J Ethics. 2022;24(10):E986-993. doi:10.1001/amajethics.2022.986.
- Practice Greenhealth. The University of Maryland Medical Center: Reusable Textiles in the OR.
- Sun G. Disposable and reusable medical textiles. Textiles for Hygiene and Infection Control. 2011:125–35. doi: 10.1533/9780857093707.2.125.
- Lab Manager. How Much Can Labs Save When Choosing Reusable Cleanroom Garments?
- Hotel Management. How better waste, recycling management can help cut costs.
- Environmental Protection Agency. Nondurable Goods: Product-Specific Data.