Industry Leaders Advocate for Sustainable Healthcare PPE Solutions in NY

David Potack, a former TRSA chair, and president, Unitex Healthcare Laundry Services, Elmsford, NY; and Joseph Ricci, president & CEO, TRSA, recently met with New York Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (D) and other assembly members to discuss reintroducing the Healthcare Worker Safety and Sustainability Act.

The bill would amend the New York State public health law and require healthcare facilities to maintain a 50% operating threshold of specific reusable healthcare personal protective equipment (PPE) textiles. Introduced by New York State Assembly Member Amanda Septimo (D-84th District) last session, TRSA is working to have the bill reintroduced in 2025.

The discussion with Assembly Speaker Heastie and others focused on the multiple benefits of adopting reusable PPE in healthcare settings to reduce costs, improve the supply chain and significantly enhance sustainability within the industry. “Based on the recent recommendations of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) promoting the greater use of hygienically clean reusable personal protective equipment (PPE) in hospitals and other healthcare settings, we believe New York state can lead the country’s healthcare sustainability efforts with this legislation to reduce waste and decrease overall costs,” Ricci said.

The meeting with Assembly Speaker Heastie and other state legislators marks crucial next steps toward legislative action and TRSA’s advocacy underscores the potential of reusable healthcare PPE to revolutionize cost efficiency, supply chain reliability and environmental sustainability. As New York State considers this forward-thinking legislation, the healthcare sector stands on the brink of a transformative shift that promises long-term benefits for both the industry and the community.