The project, called ‘Re:Form’, aims to divert about 10,000 items a year weighing about 10 tonnes in total, from landfill or incineration.
The PPE is coming from 3,000 Veolia employees across London and could be expanded in the future to take in corporate clothing from other sources.
And, Re:Form has also helped create jobs as it is being organised as a ‘back-to-work training scheme’ with many of the PPE items cleaned, sorted, debranded and sold at low cost to individuals and community groups.
According to Veolia, more than 100 people seeking employment have been involved with the project since it started at the beginning of 2016. The number of people taking part has doubled each quarter and the company said the project is on target to grow into putting 100 people into work and helping 100 to be job-ready.
Uniforms that are still fit for purpose are repackaged and sold, while other items are remanufactured into new items and craft kits. This happens in a workshop in Cambridgeshire, where participants can learn new skills.
For example, some of the 200 donated sweaters will be used to make teddy bears, which will be sold or go into ‘Rainbow Boxes’ – for terminally ill children.
Resource
Patricia Watson, who manages the project at Veolia, said: “We see waste as a resource and are continually looking for new ways to reuse and recycle items to support a circular economy. Our old uniform is such a mixture of materials, in various states of cleanliness and disrepair, the traditional recycling markets simply couldn’t deal with it.
“We’re delighted to be part of such an innovative solution which not only diverts waste from landfill and energy recovery, but more importantly, helps support the local community and people into work. I look forward to helping the scheme grow to expand these incredible social and environmental benefits”
Nikki DiGiovanni, chief executive officer at Reuseful UK added: “It is amazing, where others see waste, scrapstores see opportunities to be creative and resourceful. Not only do we repurpose these uniforms we are giving local people a sense of purpose by helping them find the confidence and gain the skills needed to gain employment.”
Re:Form partners with the Cambridgeshire Community Reuse and Recycling Network and is funded by Greater Cambridge and Greater Peterborough LEP and Veolia.
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