The Challenge: Protecting Brand Integrity While Reducing Textile Waste
DPD is one of the UK’s most recognised parcel delivery providers, operating a vast network of depots and vehicles nationwide. With such a strong public presence, the secure disposal of branded uniforms is critical. If misused, these garments could enable unauthorised access to secure sites or be used to impersonate staff, posing a serious risk to public trust and company reputation.
Security wasn’t the only concern. As a leader in sustainable logistics, DPD has committed to achieving net zero by 2040, and in 2024 alone recorded a 47.5% reduction in emissions compared to its 2020 baseline. Landfilling thousands of items of used workwear was incompatible with those environmental goals. A solution was needed that could uphold both security and sustainability.
The Solution: Avena’s Secure, Nationwide Service
To meet these needs, Avena delivered a tailored SecureBrand® solution, providing secure, auditable, and environmentally responsible disposal of all end-of-life DPD uniforms.
Avena installed specially designed SecureBrand® containers at DPD sites across the UK, allowing staff to safely deposit used, or damaged uniforms. Collections are on a regular scheduled basis, ensuring that sites remain clear of excess garments and maintain operational efficiency.
Uniforms are collected by DBS-checked Avena operatives using unmarked vehicles equipped with real-time GPS tracking and onboard CCTV. The items are securely transported to Avena’s accredited destruction facility, where they are shredded beyond recognition and processed via approved, sustainable channels.
To support transparency, Avena supplies DPD with a Data Destruction Certificate for every collection, including weights and carbon savings. This reporting feeds directly into DPD’s sustainability dashboard and helps demonstrate ongoing carbon reduction progress.
The Result: Circular Thinking Meets Corporate Responsibility
The collaboration has allowed DPD to protect its brand integrity, ensure compliance, and demonstrate measurable progress toward its sustainability targets. Garments that might otherwise have gone to landfill are now being securely destroyed and repurposed where possible, contributing to a circular economy approach.
This partnership reinforces DPD’s wider sustainability strategy and by working with Avena, DPD has aligned its uniform disposal process with its core values of security, transparency, and sustainability.
Testimonial: Secure, Ethical, and Trusted
Paul Herring, Waste & Resources Manager, DPD UK:
“The solution for the disposal of our corporate uniforms has put a controlled system in place across all of our sites. We now have the assurance that the uniform is being destroyed to the high standards we would expect to protect our brand. This solution ensures that our uniforms are being recycled ethically and securely.”
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