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 conducted an upcycling project to collect old uniforms from Seibu Construction Co., Ltd. and transform them into face towels and pile-knit socks.

In this initiative, old uniforms from Seibu Construction, which were refreshed for the first time in approximately 30 years, were collected, resulting in the recycling of 2,267.8 kg of textile resources. The collected uniforms were processed into circular products made exclusively from clothing materials, specifically pile-knit socks and face towels.

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

In an era where mass disposal of clothing is a significant issue, this project is gaining 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, it is common for large quantities of clothing to be 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 old uniforms were recycled into pile-knit socks and face towels suitable for use at construction sites. The socks, in particular, feature a cushioned pile structure designed to reduce the burden on the feet of those working on-site.

Employee Feedback: Future Plans to Expand as Regular Socks

Regarding the finished products, the following feedback was received from within Seibu Construction:

• "I had some concerns about the quality since it was a recycled product, but the final quality is much better than I expected."
• "The pile fabric provides good cushioning, and they are comfortable to wear."
• "The color of the uniforms we used to wear is reflected in the product, which gives me a sense of attachment."

The socks were particularly well-received, and there are plans to consider offering them as regular socks for office-based employees as well.

Increasing Demand for Upcycling

At Ecolog Recycling Japan Co., Ltd., projects for recycling corporate uniforms have been on the rise in recent years. Beyond environmental considerations, these initiatives offer benefits such as:

• Corporate branding
• PR for recruitment activities
• Raising employee environmental awareness

These projects are increasingly being adopted as part of corporate sustainability strategies. This project holds significant meaning not only as external PR but also as an educational activity to raise environmental awareness within the company.