What’s the Difference Between Renewable and Sustainable?

Being green is a major benefit these days, but many don’t realize that renewable and sustainable don’t always mean the same thing.

Prudential Overall Supply has been providing uniform rentals, laundering services, and more to Fortune 500 companies for decades. In doing so, the company is committed to using eco-friendly materials and has built a culture of sustainability. Clean Green Certification by the Textile Rental Services Association (TRSA) means customers can depend on a leading provider of green garments and more to meet their requirements.

The designation reflects the company’s efficient use of energy, water, and other resources. The company’s uniform cleaning services and delivery of apparel and reusable goods such as mops, floor mats, and towels are also considerations.

At Prudential Overall Supply, we understand that there is a big difference between a product or service being sustainable, renewable, or both. That’s why we’ve taken every opportunity to ensure that our offerings are as green as possible by focusing first on sustainability, and then on renewability, to provide the greenest uniform rental and commercial laundry services possible to our clients.

Renewable Does Not Always Mean Sustainable

Prudential’s uniform services are highly valued, thanks to clean green certification. People often tack on the words renewable and sustainable, which are both used to describe energy sources. However, the two terms have very different meanings.

solar panels in a residential setting
  • Renewable Energy: Renewable resources are constantly replenished, such as those derived organically or that are naturally recycled. Solar, wind, geothermal, and hydropower are all renewable, as opposed to fossil fuels that take much longer to create. Even excessive use of renewable resources can make a particular energy source unsustainable.
  • Sustainable Energy: To be sustainable, an energy resource must be maintained for the foreseeable future. It must continue to supply a business’s or society’s needs, but, in the process, the energy source must not run out or somehow become unusable. If a renewable resource is used up more quickly than it’s generated, it can be depleted.

On the other hand, non-renewable resources, if used in moderation, can be sustainable.

Most people associate sustainable energy with environmental preservation. The practice of using a certain energy source must not cause significant environmental damage. When this definition is applied, various opinions, some politically charged, come into play. For example, some argue that oil, natural gas, and coal are sustainable (despite their impact on the environment) because of their availability.

Maintaining Long-Term Sustainability

ironing shirt

Using renewable energy resources alone isn’t enough to be recognized for green practices. Prudential garments serve customers in many ways, but the company’s resource conservation and discharge control practices have qualified to be the first chain industrial laundry operation to receive Clean Green Certification in 2012.

By choosing reusable materials and uniforms, you can reduce the impact your business has on the environment too. With Prudential, you not only have access to a variety of sustainable products, you can also make use of our industry-leading laundry service.

Avoid having to train staff or purchase laundering equipment by outsourcing your garment cleaning needs to us. Whether it’s reusable PPE or simple overalls, we supply commercial laundry services to make the process simple and hassle-free. All you have to do is collect used uniforms, hand them over to our collection service, and wait for them to be expertly cleaned and delivered back to your facility.

Some of Prudential Overall Supply’s other standout sustainable products include:

  • Reusable towels – Single-use paper or cloth towels are a major source of waste for many industries and hospitality establishments. With Prudential, you can access a greener alternative by using options like our reusable kitchen towels to reduce your business’s impact on the environment and resources.
  • Reusable cleanroom equipment – Prevent the waste often created by cleanrooms by opting instead for our reusable cleanroom gowns, goggles, and cleaning equipment. Not only are these alternatives cheaper, but they also help keep your business more sustainable.

Whether you run a compounding pharmacy, an auto shop, a hospital, or a restaurant, Prudential Overall Supply has a wide variety of sustainable products and services to help you be more green.

In a recent press release, the company noted its uniform cleaning service is more sustainable than washing employee uniforms at home. Less water and energy per garment are required. Cleaning services offered by uniform stores use less paper as well.

Prudential Overall Supply is a leading source of work uniforms for rental, lease, or purchase. The company also offers sustainable garment processing services, flame-resistant work clothes, various types of flooring, food processing, medical, and cleanroom supplies.

Call 800-767-5536 for more information and help to find the right products for your business.