We all want to reduce waste. Whether it’s money, time or space, making the most of every penny, second or square metre is crucial to a well-run business operation.
Reducing waste is also an environmental imperative. This is particularly true of physical waste created as the result of warehouse operations which, if not appropriately recovered or recycled, could end up in landfill or polluting the landscape.
Reducing waste in the warehouse can take many forms. Some warehouse managers might choose to focus on initiatives like reducing paper waste by digitalising processes. Others might look at using less packaging and switching to recyclable materials.
But there is one big area that is often overlooked: workwear and PPE waste.
The workwear industry is worth around £300 million a year to the UK economy, with businesses of all shapes and sizes buying uniforms, industrial clothing and PPE to keep their teams safe, comfortable and protected at work.
But, while crucial for workplace safety, the manufacture of all this workwear and PPE has serious consequences for the environment.
There’s the raw materials, water and energy used in its manufacture, and the emissions generated during it.
There’s the fact that the very nature of workwear and PPE means items are likely to become dirty or wear out and need to be replaced after a relatively short life span to maintain compliance with strict health and safety standards.
It’s also very difficult to recycle or repurpose old workwear and PPE, with only the simplest garments able to be recycled in the truest sense of the word.
With much of the workwear and PPE that is manufactured destined for landfill, it’s important businesses use their buying power to reduce PPE waste wherever they can.
Our top tips for success are:
When it comes to buying workwear and PPE, choose good quality products that will last, meaning they need to be replaced less frequently. This will reduce the overall amount of PPE your business needs to dispose of each year. These products may be a little more expensive at the outset but will often work out cheaper overall when you factor in the increased time between replacements. Look for items that come with warranties guaranteeing their durability. If you’re unsure, ask your workwear and PPE supplier for their recommendations.
Find out more: How long should safety footwear last?
Safety gloves costing too much? Here’s what to do.
Don’t leave what happens to your workwear and PPE at end of life to chance. Ask your workwear and PPE supplier if they have or know of a secure recycling service you could use. You may also be able to go directly to the manufacturer of some items, as many will collect their own products at end of life. Where an item is of complex design and cannot be shredded back down to the fibre for re-use, it may be possible to donate it to a charity or, as a last resort, have it collected for incineration as part of the process of manufacturing clean energy.
Factoring sustainability into your organisation’s purchasing decisions from the outset will allow you to discover a wide range of alternative products that might not reduce your own company’s waste but will result in less waste in the system overall. From carbon neutral safety trainers and work gloves, to polo shirts made from recycled polyester, there are options out there that perform just as well – if not better – than the standard workwear and PPE you might be used to. There are also manufacturers who are actively working across their entire supply chain to lessen the impact of their operations on people and planet. Unsure of your options? Ask your workwear and PPE supplier for their recommendations.
Discover our top sustainable workwear and PPE picks in our online shop.
Implement the controls that will stop your employees from ‘going rogue’ and buying their own workwear and PPE that doesn’t meet the above criteria. Smart purchasing softwares like our own Control-iT platform will track usage, manage allocations and budgets, and provide employees with a choice of pre-approved products so you can finally get a handle on that rogue spend.
Find out more: Discover how Control-iT can help you take back control of your spend.
Before you decide to rebrand, think about how you will manage the environmental cost of the change. A good workwear and PPE supplier will help you plan a phased rollout to ensure old branded items held in stock or in current use see out their working life and don’t go to waste. Remember, too, that removing branding is a key step in the recycling process. Ensure you support your plans for end-of-life recycling or re-use by working with your supplier to design branding that can be easily removed from your clothing when you’re finished with it.
It might seem obvious, but don’t risk buying a product in bulk that might end up not working for your business. Not only is it a waste of money, but you’ll end up with a lot of useless stock that you’ll need to offload. Most suppliers will allow you to trial products so you can get feedback from your team before you commit to a bulk spend – just give them a call and ask!
Educate your teams on the importance of taking good care of their workwear and PPE to ensure they get the maximum use out of it. Show them how to care for and maintain their PPE, and how to store it when it is not in use. Finally, instruct them on what to do with expired or worn-out garments so they aren’t tempted to simply throw them in the bin but instead follow whatever recycling procedures you have put in place.
By following the above tips to reduce the amount of PPE and workwear waste it generates every year, your business will be playing its part in reducing its negative impact on the environment.