Yarra Valley Water gives uniforms a second life
Over the past two years, the water corporation has diverted more than 270kg of uniform and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) from landfill by recycling them into new products.
Yarra Valley Water Managing Director Natalie Foeng said the uniform recycling program reflects the water corporation’s broader approach to sustainability.
“The next time you buy a couch or a chair, you could be buying one cushioned with recycled Yarra Valley Water uniforms,” Ms Foeng said.
“Recycling our old uniforms is one of many ways we’re reducing our environmental impact, we’re taking action from upcycling office chairs to generating our own renewable electricity,” she said.
Yarra Valley Water’s uniforms and PPE are usually kept for two to five years before coming to the end of their lifespan.
When uniforms and PPE are worn out or no longer safe, they are sent to Upparel, a textile recovery and recycling company.
There, they are processed and shredded before being turned into fibrous material. This material is turned into a fill, a cushion-like material, that can be used in couches and chairs or compressed into UPtex to be used for construction material such as acoustic panelling.
Upparel Co-Founder and CEO Michael Elias said giving uniforms a second life had huge environmental benefits.
“Recycling clothing has a profoundly positive impact on the environment, as it helps reduce greenhouse gas as well as reducing overall waste,” he said.
“When organisations like Yarra Valley Water make the decision to recycle their uniforms and PPE, they are making the right decision for the environment and for future generations.”
According to the Australian Fashion Council, about 220,000 tonnes of clothing is sent to landfill every year in Australia.
Yarra Valley Water’s commitment to sustainability is evident in other initiatives, both small and large. The water corporation upcycles office chairs, uses barricade tape made of recycled material at its worksites, utilises electric vehicles in its fleet, and has a solar-covered car park that helps power its Mitcham office.