New Zealanders send a whopping 100,000 tonnes of used clothing to the landfill each year. And, of course, among that number are work uniforms and PPE that have reached the end of their usable life. 

While this number is staggering, it’s only a drop in the ocean of a larger global issue, where textiles contribute to 8% of the world’s carbon footprint. Faced with these statistics, businesses like ours have two options - to bury our collective heads in the sand or to make our small patch of the planet a little greener.

At Westpeak, we’ve chosen the latter, and we’re making it easier for other businesses to join us. 

“Great acts are made up of small deeds.”

The environmental impact of textile waste can’t be understated. From climate change and pollution to the depletion of natural resources, it’s a global problem. So, what can an average company do to reduce their impact?

First, you can avoid “cheap and cheerful” work uniforms that are created at a low price point but need replacing more regularly. The better quality work wear you can provide your team, the longer it will last, reducing your overall uniform expenditure, as well as your landfill contribution. 

Westpeak workwear is designed to be durable, keeping your team comfortable, presentable and protected for longer. Even so, it’s inevitable that in a busy work environment, they will eventually need to be replaced. Then what? 

Where many see a problem, we saw an opportunity—a chance to provide an answer to a question we were regularly receiving from environmentally conscious clients: "What can we do with our old uniforms?"

Westpeak end-of-life uniform recycling initiative

Westpeak is proud to introduce our Enviropeak sustainable uniform recycling project. An eco-conscious circular economy model, it offers businesses a simple way to dispose of old uniforms. Not only does it save textiles from being sent to landfill, but it also directly benefits local and national charities. 

Abandoned, unwanted and abused animals are an ongoing issue in New Zealand. The SPCA alone helps to protect over 34,000 animals in New Zealand each year, and there are countless more independent shelters throughout the country. Inundated with animals, these shelters rely largely on donations and the charity of the general public. 

Our initiative turns unusable workwear into bedding that can make life more comfortable for a dog that’s down on its luck.   

Here’s how it works: 

Step 1: Fill it up 

Kickstart your sustainability journey by signing up to our Enviropeak project. We'll send you a specially-designed reusable clothing box, complete with a return address label. Keep this eco-friendly bag at your workplace, and watch it fill up as your team discards their old uniforms.  

Step 2: Return & renew 

Once your box is full, it's ready to make its way back to Westpeak. Ship it to our head office, and we’ll take care of the rest. In our recycling department, the clothing will get cleaned before being transformed into strips of recycled fabric. Note: Shipping costs are not included. 

Step 3: From fabrics to Fido 

The regenerated fabric then begins the next stage of its life, becoming stuffing for dog beds. To give you a sense of scale, each dog bed can fit up to 10 kgs of repurposed fabric, meaning for each filled box you send us, we can create one dog bed. 

Step 4: Do good, feel good 

The best part? The newly filled dog beds are then donated to animal shelters across New Zealand. From national organisations like the SPCA to independent charities that need all the support they can get, your old uniforms are directly supporting this meaningful work.

Share a badge and spread the word

As part of the Enviropeak scheme, we reward participating businesses with badges - the more you recycle, the higher grade of badge you’ll receive. Plus, you'll get detailed reports that make great additions to your company’s annual sustainability review. Enviropeak digital badges serve two purposes.  

Boasting rights

First and foremost, a badge is something you can proudly display on your website and social media. This is a great way to highlight your sustainability commitment to your customers. 

Raising awareness

By displaying your badge, you also help to raise awareness about our initiative and may even encourage other businesses to follow your example. The more businesses who join us, the more recycled uniforms we receive and the more dog beds we can distribute. It’s a win/win/win!

 

Register your interest in Enviropeak

Ready to make a lasting impact? The Enviropeak end-of-life uniform recycling project is more than just a service; it's a movement towards responsible consumption and sustainable business practices.  

By joining this initiative, you're not just making a statement; you're making a tangible difference. Together, we can redefine what sustainability means for businesses in New Zealand and help contribute to a cleaner, greener future for all. 

Register your interest and make a difference today!