Did you know that 100 billion items of clothing are made every year and only 1% of all clothing is recycled effectively?That means an entire rubbish truck's worth of clothing enters landfill every second and we understand the importance of making sure your business’s uniforms aren’t contributing.
According toWRAP, at present, only 9% of corporate clothing is recycled effectively. Unsustainable practices when it comes to clothing disposal can cost your business in many ways. From affecting your eco-friendly credentials to damaging your brand if items are disposed of correctly. There are several options for disposal, but clothing recycling is the greenest.
Why ethical disposal matters
- Brand protection & security
Branded uniforms often feature company logos, colours, and designs that are easily recognisable. Improper disposal—such as discarding them in regular waste—could lead to unauthorised use or brand misrepresentation
- Environmental responsibility
The fashion and textiles industry is one of the largest contributors to global waste and pollution. According to reports, millions of tonnes of clothing end up in landfills each year, where synthetic fabrics can take decades to break down.
- Supporting a Circular Economy
Sustainability efforts go beyond simply reducing waste. By engaging in ethical disposal practices, companies can support a circular economy where materials are repurposed, recycled, or upcycled into new products.
Disposal methods
There are a few ways to reuse and dispose of branded workwear. Many of them don’t necessarily align with your brand’s eco-friendly aspirations or even leave your brand open to damage.
Textile rags
Turning your brand’s old workwear into textile rags is a good option from the point of view that your old garments are reused for another purpose, and it’s an easy option to take. However, it doesn't offer end-of-life solutions, and it’s a short-lived solution where garments very quickly become useless and polluting again.
Incineration
A common method for clothing disposal is incineration. Whilst there are some positives, the negatives unfortunately outweigh them. On the positive side, energy created from clothing incineration can be reused, it is a cost-effective means of disposal and protects your brand. Incineration isn’t a sustainable choice. It releases CO2, methane, and other greenhouse gasses, and burning dye used in clothing also releases toxins and chemicals.
Landfill
I don’t think there is much need to explain why landfill isn’t the best sustainable choice. 5% of all global landfills are being taken up by textile waste. It is an extremely harmful choice for garment disposal. In time garments in landfills will release toxic substances into the groundwater and soil, creating a lasting negative effect and landfill is known to accelerate climate change too.
The key to safe garment disposal is finding a credible and secure clothing recycling system. Having the right practices in place means that you can trace your clothing disposal right back to the source. Choosing an environmentally friendly mode of branded uniform disposal not only ensures your business’s practices are as green as possible but also protects your brand.
How Streamline can help
At Streamline, we’recommitted to sustainability and responsible business practices. We help our clients navigate the ethical disposal of branded clothing and uniforms by offering guidance on recycling, secure shredding, and sustainable disposal options. Our goal is to ensure that your brand is protected while minimising environmental impact.
As sustainability continues to be a key focus for businesses worldwide, making conscious choices about the lifecycle of branded clothing is more important than ever. By embracing ethical disposal methods, businesses can uphold their brand integrity, support sustainability efforts, and contribute to a more responsible future.
