Old workwear: have it upcycled or recycled?

Workwear is built to last, but even a long life ends. Anyone wanting to have old workwear recycled is then standing in front of crates full of protective clothing, hi-vis vests and functional jackets, facing the question of which route is the right one.

Recycling is one option, but with occupational clothing a demanding one. The material almost always consists of blended fabrics, and on top of that there are reflective strips, zips, buttons and coatings. All of that has to be separated, and what comes out at the end is usually insulation material or cleaning rags. Why this is technically downcycling and not recycling is something we have taken apart in a separate article.

With upcycling, the fabric stays as it is. We cut new products from it and make use of the properties the clothing was bought for in the first place: tear-resistant, weatherproof, colourfast.

Recycling or upcycling old workwear: which garments are suitable

Almost everything decommissioned inside companies can be processed. Polo shirts, shirts and T-shirts, sweatshirts and hoodies, trousers and jackets, softshell and functional jackets, uniforms, hi-vis vests and safety clothing.

Functional materials are of particular interest to us because they are robust and often water-repellent.

Quantity is the real criterion. For a project to run cleanly, the material should be enough for at least 250 products. What that means in practice depends on the target product: a jacket produces a laptop sleeve, while a pencil case needs a fraction of that.

What is made from decommissioned occupational clothing

From jackets and sweatshirts we produce laptop sleeves, belt bags, moonbags and toiletry bags. Shirts, polo shirts and T-shirts become drawstring bags, tube scarves, cushions and sleep masks. Smaller remnants produce keyrings, cardholders and cases in high volumes.

Hi-vis vests can be turned into tote bags or reflective elements that retain their practical use.

On request, every product receives a woven label in your design.

The two questions that always come up

On condition. Worn, sweaty or soiled workwear is not a disqualifier. The material is industrially prepared beforehand, and the cost of this is in the range of a few cents per piece depending on product size, and is stated before dispatch.

On the logo. Many people regard the old company marking as a problem. In our experience it is the reason the product works, because it carries the origin with it. If you would prefer otherwise: we cover the logo, cut it away or use the reverse side.

With certified protective clothing we clarify in advance what needs to be observed in the individual case, before material is sent.

Out of the locker and into everyday use

For DHL we developed a collection from retired delivery uniforms, sold through the fan shop. For Frankfurter Verkehrsgesellschaft, old uniforms became a line of backpacks and belt bags.

In both cases a disposal item became something employees wear.

If a different route is the better fit, we will say so too, and we have compared the five options that exist in a separate article.