Turning Old Uniforms into a Sustainability Win
Sustainability in the workplace isn’t just about switching to energy-efficient lighting or using less paper — it’s also about thinking creatively about the full lifecycle of everything your business uses, including uniforms and PPE.
Many companies issue branded clothing, high-visibility vests, jackets, or safety gear to their staff, but what happens when those items are worn out, outdated, or no longer needed? Too often, they end up in landfill, contributing to textile waste and carbon emissions.
By rethinking how you manage end-of-life workwear, you can reduce your environmental impact, support the circular economy, and demonstrate to your team and customers that sustainability runs through every aspect of your operations.
Why uniform recycling matters
- Textile waste is growing fast — globally, millions of tonnes of clothing end up in landfill each year. Polyester-based fabrics, often used in uniforms, can take decades to break down.
- Security and brand protection — recycling uniforms ensures they are destroyed or repurposed responsibly, preventing them from being misused.
- Carbon savings — extending the life of materials reduces the need for virgin resources, which means fewer emissions from production.
Steps your business can take
- Audit your uniforms and PPE – understand what’s in circulation and when it’s likely to be replaced.
- Find a specialist recycler – look for providers who can process textiles securely and repurpose them into new products or materials.
- Create an easy return system – make it simple for staff to hand in old items by having collection points in your workplace.
- Communicate the impact – share updates on how much waste you’ve diverted from landfill to keep your team engaged.
An example in action
At Jani-King New Zealand, we partnered with Workwear Recycled to give our old uniforms and PPE a second life. Items such as shirts, jackets, and safety vests can now be dropped off at Jani-King offices, where they are collected and then sent to Workwear Recycled, who transforms them into new products. We receive regular reports on the volume of clothing saved from landfill and the resulting environmental benefits.
Whether you run a large organisation or a small business, uniform recycling is a simple, tangible way to make your operations more sustainable — and every shirt or jacket kept out of landfill is a step towards a cleaner future.
