A circular way to extend the life of PPE and workwear
PPE and workwear are used in many organisations, whether it’s needed for compliance with safety regulations or to reinforce a brand image. However, without the right management strategy, it can also create unnecessary costs and negative environmental impact.
Items are often disposed of long before they have reached the end of their life. Rebranding, new acquisitions, surplus stock and inconsistent stock management result in perfectly usable PPE and workwear being discarded. This creates not only unnecessary waste, but also increased purchasing, higher Scope 3 emissions, ongoing storage challenges and potential brand protection risks if the wrong branding leaves the business.
AWS Nationwide’s circular solution provides a smarter way to manage PPE and workwear. Instead of sending items straight for disposal, we prioritise reuse wherever possible before recycling, extending the lifespan of products and keeping valuable resources in circulation. This circular approach helps organisations reduce costs and environmental impact, with every tonne of PPE and workwear processed offsetting up to 14.7 tonnes of Scope 4 avoided CO2e emissions through reuse and life extension.
How does it work?
Step 1: Collection and Assessment
The first step is our national collection service, where your items are segregated and assessed based on the condition they are in. From this, we decide which items are suitable for reuse, refurbishment or recycling.
Step 2: Cleaning & Decontamination
All collected items must meet strict hygiene standards, which we achieve through our specialist laundering service. Our environmentally safe process removes dirt, oil and other contaminants, as well as killing 99.999% of all known germs.
This process uses nearly 50% less resources than conventional wash processes. We also work closely with PPE manufacturers and distributors, following recommended wash and drying temperatures to protect the integrity of fabrics, coatings and protective properties.
Step 3: Reuse & Redistribution
Each item is then put through an accredited testing and verification process to ensure it is fit for reuse before being returned to service. Minor repairs can be carried out if needed.
We are able to overprint or debadge existing logos or fully rebrand items, ensuring PPE and workwear can remain in use without compromising brand integrity.
Garments can then be returned to the business and given to the original teams or redistributed across alternative sites, reducing the need for replacements.
Step 4: Responsible Recycling
Whilst reuse is always prioritised, we understand that not everything can continue to be used. If this is the case then the items can instead be responsibly recycled.
Applications of these recycled materials include:
- Clothing and textiles can be shredded to create insulation materials.
- Hard hats, safety glasses and boots can be granulated and used in sewage pipe liners and rubber matting.
- High-visibility garments can be repurposed into pond liners and roof garden membranes.
What is the benefit of adopting circular workwear and PPE programmes?
More businesses are recognising that PPE and workwear management is more than just a financial and operational burden, but also an opportunity to improve resource efficiency, reduce environmental impact and support wider sustainability goals.
Key benefits of adopting our circular workwear and PPE solution include:
- Reduced purchasing costs
- Improved stock efficiency
- Lower carbon and Scope 3 emissions
- Full traceability, compliance and ESG reporting
- Improved circularity to support net zero goals
- Enhanced brand protection
Rather than treating PPE and workwear like waste, AWS Nationwide’s circular solution gives these items a new purpose. Through collection, refurbishment, redeployment and material recovery, products and materials are kept in circulation for as long as possible, maximising their value before recycling becomes necessary.
To find out more about this service, get in touch today!
02392 604 351 | enquiries@awsnationwide.co.uk