10 | PHSC
use at home. More energy efficiencies have
been realized through PHSC’s collabora-
tion with linen suppliers, and Lark says the
co-op works with the nation’s best, includ-
ing Encompass Group, Medline Industries
and Standard Textile. PHSC was among the
very first healthcare laundries in the industry
to serve as a proving ground of sorts for the
developing, testing and integration of syn-
thetic textiles. Now deployed throughout
Portland, as well as the world, in the form
of patient gowns, sheeting and other prod-
ucts, these synthetics require significantly
less time to dry, an innovation which reduces
consumption of natural gas.
On the chemical side, PHSC sources de-
tergent from a vendor known as Mt. Hood
Solutions, a Swisher Company who produc-
es the only DFE Detergent (Designed for
the Environment) which is the highest envi-
ronmental rating by the EPA.
Lark says the collaboration with national
suppliers has enabled PHSC to develop re-
lationships with companies that are on the
cutting edge of new products that help en-
sure operational efficiency, greater means of
controlling costs, but more importantly, the
ability to reduce impact on the environment
