The American Reusable Textile Association (ARTA) has announced that its life cycle assessment (LCA) on cleanroom coveralls has been accepted for publication in the peer-reviewed PDA Journal of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology. The PDA Journal is published by the Parenteral Drug Association.
The study was conducted by Environmental Clarity, Inc., and compared the life cycle of reusable versus disposable cleanroom coveralls. This is the first life cycle that includes gamma sterilisation as used in the cleanroom coverall sector.
“The results of the cleanroom coverall LCA support the conclusions from six other reusable/disposable studies that showed reusables provide a significant improvement in energy, environmental footprint, water, and energy-associated emissions,” said Michael Overcash, PhD, of Environmental Clarity.
"This study confirms that reusable cleanroom coveralls are the best choice for cleanroom operations," said Jerry Martin of Prudential Cleanroom Services. "Not only do reusable coveralls offer substantial savings for cleanroom operators, they are more comfortable for workers and are the sustainable option." Martin is chair of the ARTA Cleanroom LCA Committee.
LCA study
Disposable and reusable cleanroom coveralls were studied from their inception as raw materials in the earth to manufacture of the coverall product, to use/reuse, then to final end-of-life disposition.
The scope and the results emphasize transparent, science-based life cycle analysis. An abstract on the study is available at www.ARTA1.com.
The study found that choosing reusable cleanroom coveralls instead of disposable alternatives (two types studied) has a significant positive effect on the environment. Reusable cleanroom coveralls provide:
- 56% lower natural resource energy consumption,
- 57% lower carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent emissions,
- 77% lower total water consumed (blue water), and
- 95% reduction in solid waste stream at the cleanroom facility (not including reuse after 50 cycles).
Two representative market leading disposable coveralls – a flash spunbonded high-density polyethylene (HDPE) coverall and a spunbond-meltblown-spunbond polypropylene (PP) coverall – were compared with a representative market-leading reusable polyethylene terephthalate (PET) coverall.
The HDPE coverall was found to be 43% lower in natural resource energy consumption and 41% lower in CO2 equivalent emissions than the PP coverall. The water consumption for the HDPE coverall was 12% lower than the PP coverall.
ARTA Cleanroom Committee
The study was organized by ARTA’s Cleanroom Committee, which contracted with the independent research firm Environmental Clarity. The committee members are:
- Mike Rataj of Aramark, Cleanroom Division,
- Dianne Knitter of Prudential Overall Supply, Cleanroom Division,
- Jerry Martin of Prudential Overall Supply, Cleanroom Division,
- Myles Reukema of Prudential Overall Supply, Cleanroom Division
- Steve Glosson of Precision Fabrics Group,
- Dennis Moore of ITG/Burlington,
- Greg Winn of White Knight,
- Doby Byers of Hi-Tech Garments, and
- Brendan O’Neill of London Hospital Services/ARTA President.
The research team included Overcash, Eric Vozzola and Evan Griffing.
ARTA was founded in 1982 with the mission to create greater awareness and appreciation for reusable textiles. Members represent all facets of the textile services industry — from manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors to profit and not-for-profit laundry operators, as well as allied associations.
