The Centre for Remanufacturing and Research (CRR), which is based within Buckinghamshire-consultancy Oakdene Hollins, is looking to provide “realistic and practical ways to overcome five barriers to corporate wear reuse”.
We are interested in companies which have improved the sustainability of the corporate wear garments that they buy, manufacture, supply and dispose of
Fiona Kelday, CRR
Corporate wear reuse rates are currently just 5%, contributing to 11,000 tonnes of corporate clothing a year ending up in landfill – a small but significant part of the 1.2 million tonnes of textiles that is landfilled every year.
The five barriers the project is examining are: garment design; alternative fibres and how they can affect end-of-life issues; the impact garment labelling can have on the recycling process; end-of-life management; and, the impact the current taxation system has on corporate wear reuse.
To address these issues, the CRR has launched a research project for each of the areas, with support from industry experts including textile recycling firms LMB Recycling, based in East London, and West Bromwich-based BCR Global Textiles.
The centre is also looking for examples of best practice in corporate take-back, reuse and recycling to help it to build up a series of case studies, which will accompany summary reports on the conclusions of each research project as part of an online resource which will go live in April 2009.
CRR consultant Fiona Kelday said: “There is a growing interest and awareness of sustainability issues within the corporate clothing sector.
“Not only does this mean that we are working with a willing audience but the way in which the sector operates should, in theory, allow for easier collection and reuse at end of life,” she added.
Calling for input from the sector, she said: “We are interested in companies which have improved the sustainability of the corporate wear garments that they buy, manufacture, supply and dispose of.”
“If anyone has a great story to tell in relation to these areas, we would love them to get in touch,” she added.
Steering group
As well as funding the CRR receives from Defra via BREW, the Uniform Reuse project will also receive practical support with representatives of the department sitting on the project's steering group.
Details of CRR's proposals to undertake the 'Uniform Reuse' project were first given at the second stakeholder meeting for Defra's Sustainable Clothing Roadmap initiative, which was held in March 2008 (see letsrecycle.com story).
Research projects
The CRR plans to launch a website for Uniform Reuse at the 2009 Clothing and Workwear show, which will be held on April 1 and 2 in Birmingham.
The CRR said that the website aims to provide “information and tools to educate and increase awareness of the barriers and opportunities in relation to reusing corporate wear garments”.
As such, it will also offer a database of alternative fibres available for corporate wear, and the reuse and recycling options they offer and a searchable database of companies involved in the sector.
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