The complete guide to recycling workwear and PPE

While some sustainability terms and concepts may be relatively new to many, the word ‘recycling’ shouldn’t be one of them. Compared to the other two pillars of the so-called ‘3 Rs’ – reduce and reuse – it is by far the most well-known and practised worldwide.

But, in 2024, why is it still so difficult to recycle workwear and PPE?

Workwear and PPE recycling

The UK workwear industry makes around £300 million a year – so sales of new uniforms, corporate wear, industrial clothing and PPE are strong. But, until fairly recently, there hasn’t been much attention paid to what happens to used items of workwear and PPE at end of life.

The idea of recycling workwear and PPE is a relatively new concept, but one that is gathering pace, fuelled by demand from increasingly environmentally-conscious customers.

In this guide, we aim to answer the most frequently-asked questions about workwear and PPE recycling.

Can PPE be recycled?

Yes – all PPE can be recycled, in the sense that it can either be:

• Shredded down to the fibre for re-use in the manufacturing process
• Given a new life elsewhere, such as by a charity or in impoverished communities
• Used to manufacture clean energy

This includes safety footwear, reusable and disposable gloves, safety helmets and more.

Not all items of PPE can be remade into new versions of themselves according to the true definition of ‘recycling’, but all workwear and PPE can be repurposed in some way and need not end up in landfill.

What PPE can be recycled?

Recycling in its truest form is where something is returned to its base form through melting in the case of plastics and metals, or shredding for the likes of paper and fabrics.

Existing technologies currently only allow for workwear and PPE garments made from a single base fabric – i.e. from 100% cotton or 100% polyester – to be recycled in this way, with the fibres of the shredded garments re-used in manufacturing new products.

At present, polyester is the most-recycled fabric.

What workwear and PPE can’t be recycled?

Most items of workwear and PPE can’t be recycled in the true sense of the word, returned to their raw materials and re-used in the manufacturing process.

This includes:

• Garments that are made from more than one fabric
• Multi-layer items, like hi vis jackets that combine a polyester outer with a nylon liner
• Used PPE like safety gloves, safety footwear, helmets and goggles, which may be contaminated or where recycling materials may reduce quality and therefore affect compliance
• Branded workwear, which must be shredded for security purposes

Unfortunately, the technology does not yet exist to recycle these complex items, and so businesses must explore alternative avenues to prevent them from ending up in landfill.

What other options are available to prevent non-recyclable workwear and PPE ending up in landfill?

Workwear and PPE that cannot be recycled can be donated to charity or repurposed into waste-processed fibre or refuse-derived fuel.

Options include:

• Local charity banks will wash and mend donated, non-branded workwear and give it to unemployed job seekers to help them get back into work
• In some circumstances, PPE can also be cleaned and re-certified for use
• Non-branded items can be turned into rags
• Garments made from 100% polyester materials (including threads, buttons and zip fasteners) may be melted down and turned back into polyester pellets for use in manufacturing
• Items may be securely shredded and used as insulation or filling in the likes of punchbags or bedding
• Shredded fibres can also be incinerated at power stations and used to generate electricity.

Can I put used workwear and PPE in my recycling bin?

No – the best way to recycle workwear and PPE is to do so through the supplier, or through an established third-party specialist offering appropriate end-of-life solutions.

What should I look for in a workwear and PPE recycling service?

Look for a service provider that provides appropriate, lockable on-site storage bins and secure, GPS-tracked collections. Your consignments should be weighed and then separated out into items to be securely shredded and used to generate clean energy, and those destined for garment breakdown and a second life. The best providers will guarantee 0% of your workwear and PPE waste will go to landfill, and commit to recycling or reusing as much as possible, rather than sending items straight for incineration. You should be provided with a full audit trail and environmental impact statement to enable you to monitor your contribution.

How much does workwear and PPE recycling cost?

Expect to pay around £150 for a 240-litre wheelie bin, up to £500-550 for 1,100 litres.

What else can I do to make my workwear and PPE provision more sustainable?

Check out our blog Become a more sustainable business: 9 small changes to make right now to find out what other actions you can take to positively impact people and planet.

If recycling your workwear and PPE is important to you, why not give our friendly team a call to discuss your options? Call us on +44 (0) 121 749 4433 or get in touch via email.