Let's discuss the advantages and disadvantages of single-use versus reusable protective clothing.
PROTECTION: Level & Type
An important consideration is the degree of protection offered by the two types of clothing. Single-use is generally made from high tensile strength virgin plastic and reusable from cotton or polyester fabric.
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REUSABLEPro:
Con:
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Did You Know?
Due to foreign matter found in washed clothing, single-use, made from high tensile strength virgin plastic (polyethylene, LDPE) was developed for New Zealand’s food processing industries in order to meet the demanding customer food safety and hygiene requirements.
COST
A detailed price analysis of clothing's actual lifetime cost must include:
DISPOSABLEPro:
Con:
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REUSABLECon:
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Studies have shown the average cost of a disposable apron was equivalent to $0.18. Compare this to a reusable apron at $0.58, due mainly to the high cost of preparation and washing.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Consider which type has a greater environmental impact:
DISPOSABLEPro:
Con:
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REUSABLECon:
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The assumption that disposable clothing has a greater environmental impact than reusable is debatable.
Food Safety: Cross-Contamination Implications
The primary sources of L. monocytogenes contamination within food-processing plants are employees, through their clothing or skin coming into direct contact with products.
DISPOSABLEPro:
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REUSABLECon:
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Enforced food safety practices prevent clothing from spreading contamination, assisted by the ease of single-use clothing changes.
Eagle Protect Disposable Clothing
Eagle Protect offers a full line of high-quality low-density polyethylene (LDPE) protective clothing. From disposable aprons and smocks to long sleeve thumbloop gowns, Eagle's clothing is custom designed for a range of coverage requirements.
For an environmentally friendly bonus, Eagle's PE items are recyclable through a closed loop process in which customers can buy back the recycled product in garbage bags.
Send me the Disposable vs Reusable Comparison
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