Sustainable Linen Solutions: How Superior Linen Service Reduces Environmental Impact
With more businesses placing sustainability at the core of their values, your vendors should reflect those same commitments. At Superior Linen Service, we’ve built eco-conscious practices into every aspect of our operations, from water and energy use to delivery efficiency and recycling. That means when you partner with us, you’re getting more than clean linens. You’re helping reduce environmental impact on a meaningful scale.
Here’s how our plants operate with purpose, backed by industry certifications and practices proven to conserve resources and minimize waste.
Water Efficiency That Outperforms Industry Standards
Water usage in laundry isn’t just a facility issue – it’s an environmental one. That’s why both of our production plants are built to reclaim and reuse water wherever possible:
- Western Division (Tulsa, OK): Uses just 1 gallon of water per pound of laundry, thanks to advanced ceramic filtration systems.
- Eastern Division (Springdale, AR): Uses about 2 gallons per pound – still significantly more efficient than average.
For context, the National Park Service reports that residential washing machines use up to 41 gallons of water per load (NPS). Assuming a load contains roughly 15 pounds of laundry, that’s around 2.7 gallons per pound – more than double what we use in our most efficient plant.
Our operations save nearly 24 million gallons of water annually, based on 24 million pounds of laundry processed each year.
Energy Efficiency & Heat Recovery
We’ve made smart investments in technologies that reduce energy use and preserve heat:
- Shell and tube heat reclaimers capture the thermal energy from outgoing hot wastewater and use it to preheat incoming cold water before it enters the wash cycle. This system significantly reduces the need to heat water from scratch, cutting down on gas or electric energy consumption and improving overall system efficiency.
- Both production plants feature 100% LED lighting, lowering electricity usage and improving visibility and workplace safety.
Our approach aligns with TRSA Clean Green certification requirements, which encourage heat recovery systems as a best practice for reducing a facility’s carbon footprint (TRSA Clean Green).
Minimizing Waste Through Recycling and Reuse
Textile waste is an industry-wide challenge, but we take an active role in keeping it out of landfills:
- Worn or stained items are sold for scrap reuse, helping reduce the need for raw textile production.
- Usable items, like garments or towels, are donated to local charities, extending the life of each product.
TRSA’s Clean Green certification recognizes operators that demonstrate consistent recycling and reuse programs, aligning with industry-leading sustainability metrics (TRSA Clean Green).
Optimized Routing = Fewer Emissions
Sustainability doesn’t end at the wash cycle. Our delivery routes are mapped territorially, reducing fuel consumption and mileage. This:
- Cuts down on greenhouse gas emissions
- Reduces vehicle wear
- Supports efficient service windows for customers
By streamlining logistics, we help lower the environmental impact of delivery operations across our service area.
Reusable Bags and Bins
We collect all soiled linen in reusable bags and bins, eliminating the need for single-use plastics. These containers are cleaned and reintroduced into circulation for continuous, hygienic reuse—another step that supports sustainable operations.
Clean Green Certified – and Proud of It
Both our Western and Eastern facilities are proud to be TRSA Clean Green Certified, which means:
- We meet rigorous national benchmarks for water and energy conservation
- We follow processes that support recycling, reuse, and waste reduction
- We undergo regular third-party audits to verify environmental performance
Clean Green isn’t just a badge – it’s a signal to our customers that we operate with long-term sustainability in mind.
Sustainability That Serves You—and the Planet
Partnering with Superior Linen Service means:
- Saving water and energy indirectly
- Reducing plastic and textile waste
- Operating in alignment with sustainability benchmarks
- Strengthening your brand’s commitment to environmental responsibility
Contact us today to learn how your business can benefit from partnering with a Clean Green-certified commercial laundry provider.