2.2 Tons of Old Uniforms Transformed into Recycled Resources

Ecolog Recycling Japan Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Fukuyama City, Hiroshima Prefecture; Representative Director: Akio Wada) has completed an upcycling project that collected old uniforms from Seibu Construction Co., Ltd. and transformed them into face towels and pile-knit socks.

In this initiative, Seibu Construction's old uniforms, which were replaced for the first time in approximately 30 years, were collected to repurpose a total of 2,267.8 kg of textile resources. The uniforms were processed into circular products made exclusively from recycled clothing materials.

The finished products are scheduled to be distributed to Seibu Construction employees for actual use and have already received high praise within the company.

At a time when the mass disposal of clothing is a significant issue, this project is garnering attention as a practical example of a circular economy that repurposes corporate uniforms as valuable resources.

Background: The Growing Trend of 'Circular Uniforms' in the Construction Industry

In the construction industry, large quantities of clothing are often discarded when uniforms are renewed. In this initiative, Seibu Construction collected the uniforms worn by staff for many years and upcycled them into new products.

The collected uniforms were recycled into pile-knit socks and face towels suitable for use on construction sites. The socks, in particular, feature a cushioned pile structure designed to reduce the physical burden on workers.

Employee Feedback and Future Prospects

Feedback from within Seibu Construction regarding the finished products includes:

• "I had some concerns about quality since these are recycled products, but the quality turned out to be much better than expected."
• "The pile fabric provides great cushioning and is comfortable to wear."
• "It's heartwarming to see the colors of our old uniforms reflected in the new products."

The socks have been particularly well-received, and there are plans to consider them as regular-issue socks for office staff as well.

Rising Demand for Upcycling

Ecolog Recycling Japan has seen an increasing number of corporate uniform recycling projects in recent years. Beyond environmental considerations, these initiatives are being adopted as part of corporate sustainability strategies for their benefits in:

• Corporate branding
• Recruitment PR
• Raising employee environmental awareness

This project holds significant meaning not only as external PR but also as an educational activity to heighten environmental awareness within the company.