The Challenge: Secure Disposal of Contaminated Workwear and Uniforms
Highway Traffic Management (HTM), a leading provider of traffic management services across the UK, faced a major challenge in securely and sustainably disposing of their end-of-life workwear and uniforms. Due to the nature of their work, much of their workwear became contaminated with oil and tarmac and could not be processed through traditional recycling routes. As a result, items such as jackets, trousers, hard hats, and boots were being sent to landfill, despite HTM’s strong commitment to environmental responsibility.
HTM needed a partner that could offer a complete, secure solution for a wide range of workwear and uniform items, supporting their holistic approach to sustainability and helping them achieve their environmental goals.
The Solution: Avena’s Tailored SECUREBRAND® Service
Avena provided the perfect solution through its SECUREBRAND® service, specifically designed to securely destroy branded textiles while ensuring a zero-to-landfill outcome.
Using Avena’s secure process, DBS-checked personnel collect HTM’s items from site in unmarked vehicles fitted with CCTV and GPS tracking, ensuring full chain-of-custody security. Upon arrival at Avena’s accredited facility, the items are sorted, shredded beyond recognition, and repurposed into further-life products (where possible) such as insulation, sound boarding, and geo-textiles– fully aligning with HTM’s circular economy ambitions.
Avena’s environmental reporting and carbon savings data provide full transparency, allowing HTM to clearly demonstrate their commitment to sustainable operations.
The Result: Advancing Sustainability and Minimising Carbon Impact
Across a 12-month period, HTM is projected to sustainably dispose of approximately 1,872 kilograms of textile and workwear items, saving an estimated 917 kilograms of CO₂e emissions. This is equivalent to:
- 2,337 miles driven by an average gasoline car,
- 74,200 mobile phones charged, or
- 0.9 acres of forest sequestering carbon for a year.
By working with Avena, HTM has successfully eliminated uniform and workwear items from landfill, enhanced the security of their business, and taken significant steps toward achieving their wider environmental and sustainability goals.
(All of our carbon emission and savings calculations are in line with the UK Government Greenhouse Gas emissions conversions, and the equivalencies are calculated from the US EPA conversions calculator.)
Testimonial: A Success Story in Sustainability and Security
Matt Higgs, HSEQ Director at Highway Traffic Management, commented:
“Partnering with Avena has made a real difference to Highway Traffic Management. They understood the challenges we were facing with the secure disposal of contaminated workwear and uniforms and provided a complete solution that aligned with our environmental goals. The carbon savings and full traceability they offer have been invaluable. I would definitely recommend Avena to other companies looking for a secure, sustainable, and efficient disposal partner.”
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