How Avena can help the marine sector avoid the security risks and sustainability challenges of old uniforms and workwear.
When a uniform reaches the end of its life, what happens next isn’t always top of the agenda. But in sectors like shipping, port logistics and marine engineering, how you dispose of branded workwear can carry weighty consequences.
From reputational damage to environmental impact, the way you handle old uniforms is becoming harder to ignore. Whether it’s an oil-stained coverall or a smart polo shirt bearing your company’s crest, these garments represent more than just clothing – they’re extensions of your brand wherever they are worn or seen. And when they’re no longer in service, they shouldn’t end up in the wrong hands, or landfill.
That’s where SecureBrand® from UK-based textile destruction and repurposing specialist Avena Group comes in. It’s a practical, traceable and sustainability-focused solution for securely disposing of uniforms in the maritime and logistics world – without the headaches.
Brand Risk? Time to Batten Down the Hatches
Out-of-service workwear may seem a low priority, but uniforms are surprisingly potent assets. Branded garments can be used to impersonate staff, access restricted areas, or misrepresent your company in public. In an era where reputation can be sunk by a single incident, the danger is real.
“Uniforms can be a security risk if they’re discarded without care,” says Elliott Garner, Avena’s Marketing Manager. “We’ve seen cases where items have resurfaced online or been used by people pretending to be employees. It’s something organisations often underestimate, until it’s too late.”
The problem is compounded in the marine sector, where uniforms are issued across vessels, ports and inland depots. With no centralised system, disposal is often informal, inconsistent or simply delayed. Items frequently end up in bins, lockers, storerooms, or ‘disappear’ into the wider world.
SecureBrand®: Navigating Risk, Landing Value
Avena’s SecureBrand® service is designed to address this challenge head-on. It provides a secure, nationwide collection and disposal solution tailored for branded textiles, and turns them into something positive.
The process begins with secure containers delivered to client sites, where worn-out uniforms can be stored safely. Collections are arranged via tracked vehicles operated by DBS-checked personnel, and every item is recorded throughout the chain of custody.
But what makes SecureBrand® stand out is its advanced repurposing solution. Using specialist processes, end-of-life garments are shredded and broken down into fibres, which are then repurposed into new products where possible. These materials may go on to support the production of items such as acoustic panels, insulation, or other industrial applications, delivering both a secure end-of-life pathway and a meaningful contribution to the circular economy.
Nothing goes to landfill, and every client receives detailed reporting, including carbon savings, volumes processed and final destinations of their materials. For procurement teams juggling ESG targets and Scope 3 emissions reporting, this is an invaluable data stream.
“It’s about security, yes,” says Elliott, “but it’s also about turning these end-of-life items into value. That’s why so many of our clients now see it as part of their sustainability strategy, not just a compliance exercise.”
A Service Rigged for Maritime Operations
Marine and logistics businesses face unique operational challenges – ships, crews, and contractors working across multiple sites with inconsistent infrastructure. SecureBrand® has been developed with exactly this complexity in mind.
Uniforms can be collected from any location, whether it’s a portside depot, head office or vessels returning to shore. Clients are supported with consistent service across all their sites, helping standardise disposal procedures and reduce admin time.
The system is already in use with major names in shipping and port services, who say it’s helped bring simplicity and accountability to what used to be a logistical grey area.
GAC UK Brings SecureBrand On Board
When GAC UK – a key player in global shipping, logistics and marine services – began examining the sustainability of its uniform disposal process, it quickly became clear that piecemeal solutions across different sites weren’t cutting it.
Like many organisations in the marine sector, GAC UK’s workforce is diverse and geographically dispersed. From port operations and logistics hubs to vessel-based roles, uniforms are a core part of both safety and brand identity. But what happens when that workwear reaches the end of its life? Until recently, the answer depended on the site.
“Each location had developed its own disposal habits,” explained Laura Grizzell, Head of QHSSE. “Some were more secure than others, and none offered the traceability or sustainability we were aiming for under our MARS30 goals.”
Using SecureBrand since 2023, GAC UK now has a streamlined, nationwide solution. Secure collection bins are regularly emptied by Avena’s DBS-checked operatives and transported in vehicles equipped with CCTV and tracking.
“Partnering with Avena has allowed us to streamline our textile disposal process, offering a secure and environmentally responsible solution that aligns with our sustainability goals,” Grizzell added. “The successful sustainable disposal of over 540kg last year is just the beginning.”
That figure represents more than just volume. Garments are sorted and repurposed into valuable new materials where possible – insulation, acoustic panels, geotextiles and more.
Data-backed carbon savings and Scope 3 reporting also contribute directly to GAC UK’s environmental targets, providing a measurable way to show progress to stakeholders.
GAC UK’s experience highlights the broader relevance of SecureBrand® to the marine sector, where uniforms can unlock access to critical areas. Whether garments come from ship crews, contractors or port-based teams, ensuring their safe disposal is as much about protecting brand integrity as reducing environmental impact.
Log the Course, Land the Results
For companies focused on ESG, Scope 3 and circular economy goals, the data supplied by SecureBrand® provides reportable evidence.
SecureBrand textile processing emits significantly less CO₂ than landfill. And because Avena operates across the UK, the process remains consistent even for firms with dispersed teams.
The benefits in sustainability and reducing the reputational risk of unmonitored disposal are clear.
“We know where our old uniforms are going and what they’re being turned into,” remarked Rachel McCathie, Sustainability Officer at Menzies Aviation. “It’s exactly the traceability we need.”
“Your logo is your brand,” Victoria Gratte, Marketing Director at Gratte Brothers, commented. “Avena makes sure we stay in control of how and where that’s seen.”
Plain Sailing to Secure Sustainability
SecureBrand proves that securely and sustainably repurposing out-of-use uniforms doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s a consolidated system that helps organisations protect their brand, meet environmental commitments and prevent avoidable losses.
“It’s been really easy,” said Alice Kilner, Sustainability Officer at Gratte Brothers. “It’s helped us cut carbon, stay compliant, and simplify the whole process. I’d absolutely recommend it.”
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