Mount Vernon, NY – Assembly Member Amanda Septimo organized a tour of Unitex Textiles’ state-of-the-art facility, in partnership with the Textile Rental Services Association (TRSA), to highlight sustainability, workforce development, and safety standards within New York’s healthcare textile industry. Senator Leroy Comrie and Assembly Member Stefani Zinerman joined the visit in support of these ongoing legislative and environmental efforts.

The tour was followed by a legislative luncheon focused on advancing policies that promote cleaner, safer, and more equitable practices in healthcare operations. Attendees gained firsthand insight into the innovations driving sustainability in textile services – from energy-efficient laundering systems that conserve water and power, to workforce programs that prioritize employee safety and economic growth.

“Bringing my colleagues together for this visit was an opportunity to connect the work we’re doing in Albany to the people and systems it impacts,” said Assembly Member Amanda Septimo. “Communities of color are often the most affected by environmental hazards and inequities in our healthcare infrastructure. By investing in sustainability, safety, and workforce development, we’re taking steps to build a cleaner, fairer, and more resilient future for all New Yorkers.”

“Efforts like the sustainability work being advanced at Unitex Textiles show the importance of linking innovation with economic growth,” said Senator Leroy Comrie. “When businesses invest in cleaner, safer practices, they not only protect workers and the environment, they also create good, stable jobs that strengthen communities and move New York toward a more resilient future.”

Assembly Member Septimo also discussed her legislation, co-sponsored with Senator Cordell Cleare, the Healthcare Safety and Waste Reduction Act, which proposes an amendment to public health law requiring healthcare facilities to maintain at least a 50 percent operating threshold of reusable protective textiles – such as gowns, drapes, and linens – in their inventory. “Our bill aims to improve safety for healthcare workers and patients alike, while significantly reducing reliance on healthcare textiles that are not environmentally sustainable,” Assembly Member Septimo added. “By encouraging the use of reusable protective textiles, we can protect workers, safeguard public health, and reduce waste that harms our environment.”