The most effective way to make workwear more sustainable is to buy durable garments, keep them in use for longer and dispose of them responsibly at the end. Sustainability is climbing the agenda in every industry, and workwear is no exception. Uniforms are bought in bulk, washed constantly and replaced regularly, so smarter choices can make a real difference to your environmental footprint and your budget.

Buy better, buy less

The most sustainable garment is the one you don't have to replace. Quality workwear with reinforced seams, durable fabrics and lasting embroidery might cost more upfront, but it can outlast cheaper alternatives many times over, reducing waste and total spend. Thinking in cost per wear rather than price per garment makes the case clearer.

Buying less also means buying accurately. A common source of waste is over-ordering or guessing sizes, which leaves boxes of unworn stock when staff leave or sizes don't fit. Keep a size record for each employee, order against real headcount and set a clear policy on how many garments each person receives. For regular orders, a trade account can help you buy little and often rather than in large speculative batches.

Look for recycled fabrics

Leading workwear brands now offer polos and t-shirts, fleeces and softshells, hi-vis and jackets made partly or wholly from recycled polyester, often derived from plastic bottles. Done well, there's no compromise on durability.

Certification still matters. Standards like EN ISO 20471 apply equally to recycled-content garments, so hi-vis workwear made from recycled fibres must still carry the correct class on its label. To check environmental claims, look for independent verification of recycled content, such as the Global Recycled Standard, rather than relying on vague marketing terms.

Choose embroidery and care for longevity

Embroidered logos last the lifetime of a garment, avoiding the cracked, peeling prints that send otherwise wearable uniforms to landfill early. If you do print, choose a method suited to the fabric and follow the care instructions to keep it intact.

Care counts, too. A few simple habits extend garment life and cut energy use:

• Wash at lower temperatures where hygiene allows. Healthcare, food and other regulated settings should follow their own hygiene policies.
• Air-dry instead of tumble-drying where possible, which is gentler on fabrics, prints and reflective tape.
• Repair minor damage such as loose buttons, split seams and broken zips before it gets worse.
• Check PPE labels. Hi-vis may state a maximum number of wash cycles, and damaged PPE should be replaced, not patched.

Our guide on how to care for your workwear has more detail.

Dispose responsibly

When uniforms genuinely reach the end of their life, textile recycling schemes keep them out of landfill. Removing or covering branding first protects your business identity, as a branded jacket in the wrong hands could be used to gain access to a site or premises.

Before recycling, consider whether clean, undamaged garments could be reissued, for example as spares for visitors or new starters while their own kit is on order. Our guide to when to replace workwear and PPE helps you decide what still has life left in it.

Quick answers

What is sustainable workwear?

Sustainable workwear is clothing chosen to reduce environmental impact over its whole life. That usually means durable garments, recycled or responsibly made fabrics, careful washing and responsible disposal at the end.

Is recycled hi-vis as safe as standard hi-vis?

It can be, as long as it's certified to EN ISO 20471. The standard applies in the same way whatever the fabric's recycled content, so check the label for the certified class.

How should businesses dispose of old uniforms?

Use a textile recycling scheme rather than general waste, and remove or cover logos first so branded garments can't be misused. Reissue clean, undamaged items where that's appropriate.

Browse our workwear range and ask our team about recycled and longer-lasting options for your next uniform order.