This document summarizes the results of a life cycle assessment comparing reusable and disposable cleanroom coveralls. Reusable cleanroom coveralls were found to provide significant improvements over disposables in reducing energy consumption by 23-57%, greenhouse gas emissions by 27-57%, water use by 73-77%, and solid waste generation by 94-96%. Among disposable coveralls, a flash spunbonded HDPE material provided around a 43% reduction in energy use and emissions compared to a spunbond-meltblown-spunbond PP material, as well as a 12% reduction in water use. The study emphasizes the environmental benefits of choosing reusable cleanroom coveralls over disposable alternatives.

1. 23-56% Reduction in lower
natural resource energy
consumption
27-57% Reduction in lower
greenhouse gas
emissions (measured as
CO2 eq emissions)
73-77% Reduction in lower total
water consumed (blue
water*)
Surgical gowns were studied
thoroughly from material
extraction from the earth,
to the manufacture
of the gown product,
to use including laundry
and sterilization, to final
end-of-life. This scope
and the results emphasize
transparent, science-based
life cycle assessment.
End users can count these
improvements as a credit toward
improving their sustainability programs.
94-96% Reduction in lower
solid waste generation
at healthcare
facility
CLEANROOM COVERALL LCA STUDY BY ENVIRONMENTAL CLARITY
Cleanroom coverall life cycle results
continue the conclusions from six
other reusable/disposable studies that
show reusables provide a significant
improvement in energy, environmental
footprint, water, and energy-associated
emissions.
When you choose
reusable Cleanroom
Coveralls instead of
disposable alternatives
you achieve a:
CLEANROOM COVERALLS LIFE CYCLE ENVIRONMENTAL RESULTS
WHAT IS A CLEANROOM COVERALLS LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT?
REUSABLE CLEANROOM COVERALLS DRAMATICALLY
REDUCE THE ENVIRONMENTAL FOOTPRINT
Read the complete study
in the PDA Journal of
Pharmaceutical Science
and Technology.
ARTA CLEANROOM COMMITTEE
Comparing the two representative disposable coveralls, the flash
spunbonded HDPE coverall (a DuPont Tyvek material) provides a
43% reduction in natural resource energy consumption and in the
environmental impact for energy-associated emissions including
CO2 eq (an improvement) than the spunbond-meltblown-spunbond
PP coverall (Kimberly Clark Kimtech material). The water consumption
for the flash spunbonded HDPE coverall provides about a 12% reduction
in the spunbond-meltblown-spunbond PP coverall.
The American Reusable Textile Association (ARTA) mission is to promote greater appreciation for reusable textiles.
www.ARTA1.com
Study funded by the ARTA Life Cycle Assessment Committee
LIFE CYCLE OF GAMMA STERILIZATION FOR CLEANROOM COVERALLS