ST. GALLEN – A Swiss study into the annual flow of workwear through large-scale companies has highlighted greater potential for circularity, despite some firms having already adopted systems which substantially extend the lifecycle of garments.
While the research found that the majority of workwear procured by participating organisations was reused or recycled, slightly less than half of each worker’s average apparel still ended up incinerated after use.
Given that workwear is often bought in bulk and comprising a superior quality material composition than high street apparel – due in no small part to employers seeking longevity and value from procured garments – the research highlights a strong potential for recycling gains.
