Sustainability and security at the core of GAC UK’s approach to workwear disposal
In a significant step towards sustainability and security, GAC UK partnered with Avena Group, a leading provider of secure and sustainable destruction services, to streamline and enhance the disposal of their workwear and uniform. As part of their commitment to the MARS30 sustainability program, GAC UK has chosen Avena to provide a secure and sustainable solution for disposing of end-of-life uniforms and workwear across multiple sites.
A seamless national service for secure workwear disposal
GAC UK, renowned for its shipping, logistics, and marine services, faced challenges in managing the disposal of workwear and uniforms across their UK sites. Prior to Avena’s involvement, the company had different disposal methods in place at each location, creating inefficiencies and concerns about security. By partnering with Avena, GAC UK was able to consolidate these processes into one secure, national service. This approach not only ensured better organisation and efficiency but also significantly contributed to GAC UK’s sustainability efforts.
Environmental impact and efficiency
Through this collaboration, GAC UK sustainably disposed of over 540kg of textile garments, including old uniforms and workwear in 2024 alone. The service ensures that all collected items are securely shredded, sorted, and processed to eliminate any possibility of misuse while also diverting them from landfill. Avena’s preferred process repurposes and remanufactures garments into a range of further life products such as insulation, soundproofing panels, and geo textiles. This all contributes to GAC UK’s environmental goals.
A shared commitment to sustainability
Laura Grizzell, Head of QHSSE at GAC UK, highlighted the success of the collaboration:
“As part of our 10-year MARS30 sustainability program, we are committed to reducing waste and ensuring that our operations have a positive impact on the environment. 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. The successful sustainable disposal of over 540kg last year is just the beginning, and we look forward to doing even more this year.”
Security: A top priority
Avena’s SECUREBRAND service was integral in ensuring that GAC UK’s branded workwear and uniforms were disposed of securely. Avena’s secure destruction process prevents any items from entering the public domain, safeguarding GAC UK’s brand and reducing the risk of misuse.
Michael Tippling, Sales Manager at Avena, commented:
“ Avena’s SECUREBRAND service not only guarantees the secure destruction of branded workwear but also delivers significant sustainability benefits. By diverting waste from landfill, we help GAC UK achieve tangible carbon savings. This is a vital contribution to their sustainability goals, reducing their environmental impact and footprint.”
This partnership underscores the importance of security and sustainability in corporate operations and sets an example for other businesses seeking to manage their textile waste responsibly. By working together, GAC UK and Avena are leading the charge in reducing textile waste and ensuring that uniform and workwear disposal is secure, efficient, and sustainable.
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