Don’t Toss It. Wash It: How Reusable PPE and Workwear Save Money and the Environment

Two construction workers wearing reusable high-visibility safety vests and hard hats reviewing documents outdoors

When your business relies on personal protective equipment (PPE) and durable workwear, you’re not just outfitting your team. You’re making decisions that affect your budget, sustainability goals, and employee comfort.

Many companies use disposable gear out of habit. But as operational costs rise and environmental expectations increase, more businesses are rethinking their approach. The good news is that you don’t have to choose between protection and sustainability. With the right laundry partner, you can clean, inspect, and reuse high-quality PPE and workwear. This approach helps save money, reduce waste, and extend the life of your materials.

The Real Cost of Disposable Gear

On the surface, single-use items like reflective vests, freezer suits, or coveralls may seem convenient. But the hidden costs add up quickly:

  • Constant reordering increases operational costs
  • Poor sizing and inconsistent fit affect employee safety
  • Waste disposal fees push up your budget
  • Lower durability means more replacements mid-shift

You’re also generating unnecessary waste. According to the EPA, textiles contribute over 11 million tons to landfills every year. Many of those materials come from commercial and industrial operations.

For businesses focused on reducing costs and environmental impact, that should be a serious concern.

Reusable PPE Offers a Smarter, Greener Solution

High-quality PPE and uniforms are made to hold up to repeated use, especially when professionally laundered. Reusable gear provides several important advantages.

Lower Lifetime Cost

Industry research shows that reusable textiles often endure 20 to 50+ laundering cycles, with many medical and industrial-grade items lasting 64 cycles or more before being retired.

For example:
A disposable vest might cost $3 per unit, while a reusable one could cost $30. If the reusable vest lasts through 40 washes, that breaks down to less than $1 per use. And unlike disposable options, it won’t end up in the trash after every shift.

Better Fit and Comfort

Reusable gear typically comes in multiple sizes and cuts. Your employees benefit from greater comfort and better fit, which improves compliance and safety.

Reduced Waste and Carbon Impact

Reusing safety gear reduces the amount of fabric going to landfills. It also eliminates the constant production and shipping of new garments, helping your business reduce its overall footprint.

How Drop & Dash Makes Reusable Gear Work

At Drop & Dash, we help businesses across Chicagoland make the shift to smarter laundry practices that prioritize durability, hygiene, and environmental responsibility.

Here’s how we support a successful transition to reusable PPE.

1. Professional Wash and Sanitize with Sanitize+ Technology

Every item is cleaned using our Sanitize+ system. This hospital-grade process uses ozone to kill 99.9% of bacteria and viruses, without relying on harsh chemicals or high heat.

This method:

  • Extends fabric life
  • Eliminates odor and buildup
  • Meets hygiene standards for healthcare, industrial, and food service settings
  • Reduces energy use by avoiding hot water cycles

2. Grading: We Inspect Before You Reinvest

We don’t just wash gear. We also inspect it before it’s returned.

Our grading process includes:

  • Checking for rips, missing buttons, broken zippers, or visible wear
  • Identifying what can be reused, what needs repair, and what should be retired
  • Helping your team make informed decisions without defaulting to bulk replacement

This step keeps your uniforms and gear in use longer. It also helps you reduce unnecessary costs and avoid waste.

3. Sourcing Support for Reusable Workwear

If your business is ready to switch from disposables but doesn’t know where to start, we can help you source durable, washable alternatives.

We work with businesses that need:

  • Freezer coats for cold storage facilities
  • High-visibility vests for construction and road crews
  • Reusable smocks and lab coats for clinics and food production
  • Coveralls, jackets, and custom uniforms across other industries

We can help connect you with vendors and recommend items that clean well, last longer, and meet your team’s safety needs.

Industries That Benefit from Reusable Gear

While reusable PPE can work for nearly any sector, it delivers the most impact in industries where gear gets heavy use:

  • Cold storage and warehouse operations
  • Construction and municipal road crews
  • Food processing and production facilities
  • Logistics and shipping centers
  • Healthcare clinics and labs

If your business goes through gear quickly, it’s a sign that a reuse-focused strategy could be a better fit.

The Bottom Line

Switching to reusable PPE and a professional laundry service is not just about sustainability. It’s a smart operational move. At Drop & Dash, we make it easy to get started:

  • We clean and sanitize every item
  • We inspect each piece for quality and usability
  • We help you reduce replacement costs and textile waste
  • We offer sourcing support if you’re transitioning from disposable gear

You’ll get better performance from your workwear, meet environmental goals, and spend less on replacements over time.

Ready to rethink your gear strategy?
Ready to make the switch to reusable gear and smarter laundry solutions? Call us at 773-436-1994 or contact us online to get started.