According to the American Hospital Association, hospitals and health systems can engage in sustainable practices “because it aligns with their humanitarian and stewardship mission and vision.” But with hundreds of U.S. hospitals at risk of closure or service reductions due to financial strain—including many in rural areas—sustainability can feel like a luxury many health systems simply can’t afford.
This Earth Day, however, healthcare leaders—especially those responsible for purchasing and supply chain decisions—should reconsider that assumption. There is one change hospitals and health systems can make to become better stewards of their limited financial resources and the environment: hygienically clean reusable linens and textiles.
Approximately 90% of all personal protective equipment (PPE) used in U.S. healthcare is single use. For hospitals and providers, that translates into a steady flow of isolation gowns, surgical gowns and drapes, sheets and other products that must be continuously purchased, stocked, and discarded.
This overreliance on disposable healthcare textiles drives up procurement costs, increases waste management expenses, and is a key driver of the nearly five million tons of waste hospitals generate each year.
Striking a better balance between disposable and reusable textiles offers a clear path forward. Delivered through local professional laundry facilities and managed inventory systems, hygienically clean healthcare textiles can provide hospitals with a reliable supply of safe, cost-effective, and sustainable reusable products essential to the delivery of lifesaving care.
Consider the data on cost savings. Academic research reviewed by the National Academies of Sciences found that hospitals using reusable isolation gowns realized 52% cost savings compared to disposable options. For other textiles, such as surgical gowns and incontinence pads, savings can reach as high as 90%.
A direct comparison shows reusable textiles cost approximately $0.52 per use versus $1.52 for disposables. At scale, these savings translate into significant relief for hospitals by simply adopting more reusable PPE.
Data on the environmental benefits are just as compelling. Compared to disposable products, switching to reusable isolation gowns, surgical gowns and coveralls can reduce energy consumption by 28%, water use by 41%, and solid waste generation by 93%. They can also reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 30%.
Supporting these gains are environmentally responsible laundry processing practices. TRSA’s Clean Green certification program provides a third-party validated environmental standard across the linen, uniform, and facility services industry. Facilities earn certification by meeting best management practices across water, energy, waste, and chemical management. The certification complements recognized frameworks, such as ASTM standards, by relying on documented processes, performance measurement, and independent verification.
Health systems across the country are seeing these benefits turn into practice. At Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, the adoption of 3.3 million reusable gowns resulted in more than $1.1 million in savings over three years. The University of Maryland Medical Center reduced costs by nearly $40,000 annually while avoiding 70 tons of waste each year after making the switch. Carilion Clinic in Virginia eliminated nearly 260 tons of waste and saved more than $850,000 over a three-year period by transitioning to reusable textiles.
In clinical environments where safety is non-negotiable, reusable textiles provide a layer of protection that meets or exceeds disposable products. For example, a 2020 study found that reusable gowns outperformed disposable alternatives in preventing the penetration of hazardous liquids.
Despite these and other advantages, just 10 to 20% of all PPE used in healthcare is reusable. This stark reality—which sets the United States apart from many other countries—is receiving renewed attention from policymakers at the state and federal levels.
In New York and Ohio, lawmakers are considering legislation that would encourage healthcare facilities to set a minimum threshold of 50% for certain reusable textiles. In Washington D.C., bipartisan lawmakers are seeking the release of a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which is expected to shed additional light on the feasibility of expanding adoption of reusable textiles.
This year’s Earth Day theme, “Our Power, Our Planet,” underscores the role institutions can play in driving meaningful change. For healthcare purchasing leaders, that power lies in everyday sourcing decisions that shape both financial outcomes and environmental impact.
Sustainability is not a luxury—it is a necessity. In the case of reusable textiles, it is a practical, data-driven procurement strategy that delivers measurable savings and a more environmentally sustainable healthcare future.
