Written by Barry Victor, President and Owner of PROS Parts 

In the drycleaning and commercial laundry world, sustainability often gets talked about like a destination. A box to check. A certification to earn. A project to complete. 

But the reality — and the opportunity — is something very different. 

Sustainability isn’t an outcome. It’s a practice. 

It’s a mindset that says: How can we do this a little better than we did yesterday? Better for our customers. Better for our teams. Better for the environment. And better for the long-term health of our businesses. 

Progress Over Perfection 

Most drycleaners and industrial laundries didn’t wake up one day and decide to become sustainability experts. What they did decide — often quietly and practically — was to make smart, incremental changes. 

Maybe that looked like: 

None of these changes are flashy on their own. But together, over time, they add up to something powerful. 

Sustainability lives in these everyday decisions — not in perfection, but in progress. 

Why This Matters to the Industry 

The drycleaning and laundry industry has always been rooted in problem-solving. You’re trusted with garments, linens, uniforms, and textiles that matter to people and organizations. You already operate at the intersection of quality, care, efficiency, and responsibility. 

As expectations evolve — from customers, regulators, employees, and communities — sustainability becomes less about compliance and more about leadership. 

Forward-thinking operations are asking: 

The answers aren’t found in one big move. They’re found in an ongoing commitment to learning, adapting, and improving. 

Sustainability as Innovation 

One of the most exciting parts of sustainability is how closely it’s tied to innovation. 

When businesses look closely at how things are done, inefficiencies become opportunities. Waste becomes a signal. Aging systems become a chance to rethink workflows. 

In our experience, sustainability-minded operations tend to: 

This isn’t just good for the planet — it’s good business. 

The Role of Parts in a Sustainable Practice 

Sustainability doesn’t always mean buying new. In many cases, it means taking better care of what you already have. 

Reliable access to quality parts: 

Keeping machines operating at their best is one of the most practical — and overlooked — sustainability practices in the industry. 

It’s not glamorous. But it’s effective. 

Looking Ahead 

As we head into a new year, sustainability doesn’t need to be overwhelming. It doesn’t require a massive overhaul or a perfect plan. 

It starts with curiosity: 

Those questions, asked consistently, shape resilient businesses. 

The drycleaning and commercial laundry industry has always evolved. Sustainability is simply the next chapter — not as a destination, but as an ongoing practice of doing better, together. 

As always, PROS Parts is here for you. We can help you get the parts you need – fast and easy, and in ways that help you meet your sustainability goals.  

Contact us or visit our website 

About Barry Victor 
Barry founded PROS Parts in the spring of 1988. Before starting PROS, Barry worked in the sales and engineering departments of Vic Manufacturing, one of the largest manufacturers of dry cleaning equipment in the U.S. At Vic, Barry launched a parts sales division that supported dry cleaning equipment imported from Italy and Germany. In its early years, PROS manufactured dry cleaning machinery and supported the parts needs of owners of Italian drycleaning machinery. Later, they added industrial and commercial laundry equipment parts. Barry lives in Plymouth, Minnesota with his wife. He has two sons, a stepson, a stepdaughter, and his dog, Sora.  

Barry can be reached at 763-231-7379 or barryv@prosparts.com.