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Our Circular Economy: Introducing Our Internal Uniform Return & Textile Recycling Process

Our Circular Economy: Introducing Our Internal Uniform Return & Textile Recycling Process BlogPPE/TextilesSustainabilityMicronGreen11.12.2025

As part of our commitment to continuous improvement, and in support of our Microngreen Environment & Sustainability Strategy, we’re introducing a new, simplified internal uniform return process that ensures our employees textiles are responsibly reused and recycled.

Why We’re Doing This

Textile waste is a growing environmental challenge, and as a business we’re committed to reducing our impact. This new process aligns with our Circular Economy, under our Microngreen initiative, which focuses on moving materials up the waste hierarchy to eliminate or reduce what ends up in landfill.

By returning uniform for reuse or recycling, employees directly contribute to a more sustainable future for our business and the planet.

 

How the New Uniform Return Process Works

1. Returning Uniform

Employees who are leaving the business can now return any Micronclean uniform items, even if they’ve been worn or damaged. This also applies to existing employees handing back items that can no longer be used.

2. Collection & Recycling

Uniform is gathered in clearly marked bins across our sites. Once full, the garments are securely transported to our textile recycling partner, Avena, who specialise in sustainable textiles recycling.

 

What Happens to Returned Textiles?

Avena follows a secure, controlled recycling process:

1) Sorting & Preparation: end-of-life garments, those that are no longer suitable for cleanroom or sterile use, are identified at our facilities, sorted, and packed into recycling sacks and bins.

2) Secure Collection: collections are made using CCTV and GPS-tracked vehicles, ensuring full supply chain protection.

3) Shredding & Repurposing: the textiles are then securely shredded and transformed into loft insulation, giving end-of-life garments a new purpose and reducing the need for virgin materials.

This means all returned uniform stays out of landfill and continues to deliver value, a key step forward for our circular economy ambitions.

 

Environmental Benefits

By adopting this system, we are:

  • Reducing waste sent to landfill.
  • Lowering our carbon footprint through reuse and recycling.
  • Increasing material recovery from items that would otherwise be discarded.
  • Supporting our customers’ ESG goals by offering a more circular uniform lifecycle.

 

A Small Change with a Big Impact

This initiative represents an exciting milestone for our sustainability journey. By returning uniform through the new process, every employee plays a part in strengthening our environmental performance and advancing our Microngreen strategy.