In many organizations, closets are full of old workwear: outdated logos, campaign sets, or collections that are no longer worn. Throwing them away is a waste and no longer aligns with the sustainability ambitions of this time. In this article, you will read how to recycle workwear and how Atelier Jungles helps to transform old clothing streams into circular solutions.
Why recycling workwear is important
Workwear has an impact: it is produced in large quantities, used intensively, and regularly replaced. By recycling or upcycling workwear:
- Reduce your textile waste and CO₂ emissions.
- Protect your brand and data by ensuring that old logos and carriers are processed in a controlled manner.
- Show that you take sustainability seriously towards employees, customers, and stakeholders.
- Prepare for regulations such as UPV textiles and reporting obligations.
Recycling workwear is therefore both an environmental opportunity and a reputation opportunity.
What does recycling workwear actually mean?
Not all old clothing goes into the same bin. In practice, we distinguish between three routes:
1. Reuse within your organization
Sometimes clothing (after repair or minor adjustment) can still have another round. Think of basic items without logos, or clothing that is reused internally.
2. Textile recycling
Where possible, fabrics are mechanically or chemically recycled into new fibers or filling. This is highly dependent on the type of material (for example, cotton or polyester).
3. Upcycling to new products
Upcycling takes it a step further: old workwear is visibly transformed into new products or business resources. Think of bags, poufs, laptop sleeves, or merchandise. This is the most distinctive and brand-worthy form of circularity.
How do you start recycling old workwear?
Many organizations want to, but do not know where to start. This is a practical approach that we often use with our clients:
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1. Inventory what is available
Map out how many kilos of workwear are available, what types of items they are (jackets, pants, aprons, T-shirts), and what materials you approximately use. -
2. Determine what is important for brand & safety
Think of logos, reflective strips, or a uniform corporate identity. Should everything be made unrecognizable? Are there items that can still be used internally? -
3. Choose the desired routes
Together we will look at which streams are suitable for recycling, upcycling, or reuse. -
4. Set up a structural collection system
For example, a fixed drop-off location, return label, or annual collection round linked to the issuance of new workwear.
What can you make from recycled or upcycled workwear?
Depending on the quality and type of clothing, there are various possibilities:
- New workwear elements (for example, trims, pockets, patches, or details in new sets).
- Merchandise and promotional gifts such as bags, cases, laptop sleeves, or lunch bags.
- Interior solutions such as poufs, cushions, or panels for office or reception area.
- Storytelling items that support your brand story, such as limited editions made from an old campaign line.
In this way, your old workwear gets a second life that employees and visitors can truly see and experience.
How Atelier Jungles helps organizations with recycling workwear
Atelier Jungles is a local and ethical workshop in The Hague, specializing in sustainable and circular textile solutions. We combine design, upcycling, and production in one process. This is usually how we work:
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Analysis & concept
We review your current clothing stream, volumes, and wishes. Based on that, we develop a plan: what will be recycled, what will be upcycled, and what will be replaced by new, sustainable workwear. -
Design & prototypes
We design new products or workwear using your old textiles. You will receive samples, and we will fine-tune the design together. -
Production & impact insight
In our workshop in The Hague, we produce the new items. You will gain insight into quantities, kilos of processed textiles, and the visible impact for your organization.
Do you also want to have new sustainable workwear made? Then we can combine recycling & new production into one circular strategy. Read more about it on our page sustainable workwear.
Frequently asked questions about recycling workwear
Can all workwear be recycled?
Not every garment can be recycled in the same way. Blends, coatings, or special treatments can make recycling more difficult. However, there is almost always a solution: from fiber recycling to upcycling into new products. During an intake, we will look at what is possible with your clothing.
Is recycling workwear more expensive than throwing it away?
Waste may seem cheaper in the short term, but it does not provide any value back and does not align with sustainability goals. With upcycling and smart product choices, you can actually extract more value from existing textile streams. Moreover, it helps with reporting and reputation.
What about logos and confidential information?
We can remove or make logos, labels, and other recognizable elements unrecognizable if desired before further processing. This keeps your brand safe, even when clothing ends up as a new product or recycled material.
Recycling or upcycling old workwear?
Do you want to get started with recycling old workwear or setting up a circular process? We are happy to think along with you, from the initial inventory to visible, sustainable solutions for your organization.
Schedule a no-obligation introduction
