The Challenge: Securely Disposing of Branded Uniforms
Menzies Aviation, a global leader in aviation services operating at over 300 airports across 65 countries, recently undertook a significant rebrand of their front-of-house uniforms. This change impacted thousands of employees across six continents, presenting a complex challenge: how to securely and sustainably dispose of their old branded uniforms.
It had been over a decade since Menzies had last managed a uniform project of this scale, and they lacked an established process for secure uniform disposal. Without a clear solution in place, uniforms were being stockpiled at stations across the UK, raising security concerns and leading to logistical inefficiencies.
“This was our first time recycling our old uniforms. So we didn’t really know where to start.”
– Rachel McCathie, Sustainability Officer at Menzies Aviation.
Additionally, with an ambitious target of reaching net zero by 2045, Menzies needed a solution that would not only protect their brand but also align with their wider sustainability strategy, particularly focusing on Scope 3 emissions reduction.
The Solution: Avena’s Tailored SecureBrand® Service
To support Menzies Aviation’s rebrand, Avena implemented its SecureBrand® textile destruction solution, a secure, traceable, and zero-to-landfill solution for end-of-life uniforms and workwear.
Avena’s process starts with secure collection by DBS-checked personnel using unmarked vehicles fitted with CCTV and GPS tracking. All items are transported directly to Avena’s accredited facility, where they go through an advanced sortation process before being shredded beyond recognition. The shredded textiles are then repurposed through a three-tier repurposing process, remanufacturing the shredded textile into further-life items such as insulation, sound boarding, and geo-textiles.
Our SecureBrand solutions provides full traceability, detailed environmental reporting, and end-to-end support throughout the project, offering not just a service, but a true partnership.
“We prioritised safety and security very highly, and we wanted to make sure we were disposing of our branded uniforms in a safe and secure way. Choosing a supplier that could plummet zero to landfill was really important to us because we wanted to be able to trace what was happening with our old uniforms.”
– Rachel McCathie, Sustainability Officer at Menzies Aviation.
The Result: Advancing Sustainability Goals and Boosting Operational Efficiency
By partnering with Avena, Menzies Aviation has transformed what was previously an un-secure uniform disposal process into a secure, streamlined, and environmentally responsible solution.
Outdated uniform is no longer left piling up at stations, and secure uniform destruction is now integrated with other services such as secure document disposal, all under one trusted provider and process.
“It definitely improved our efficiency. We don’t have any unwanted stocks of unwanted or unused uniform at station.”
– Daniel Durkiewicz, Head of Operations at Menzies Aviation.
In the UK alone, this project is projected to save six tonnes of CO₂e compared to sending uniforms to landfill , a tangible step toward Menzies’ Scope 3 emissions reduction targets.
“The carbon savings from this project with Avena contributes to our broader sustainability goals, especially our scope three emissions reduction goals, because we’re minimising waste and promoting a circular economy.”
– Rachel McCathie, Sustainability Officer at Menzies Aviation.
Testimonial: A Success Story in Sustainability and Security
“Partnering with Avena for secure uniform disposal really aligns with our sustainability goals, because we have an ambitious target of reaching net zero by 2045 and this project is really helping us divert our uniforms from going to landfill, and instead is allowing us to recycle and repurpose them. I would recommend Avena’s service to other businesses, because they’ve really helped us along every step of the way and communicated with us through this whole process, and they’re providing that traceability that really shows where our uniforms are going and what this is providing in emission savings.” – Rachel McCathie, Sustainability Officer at Menzies Aviation.
This case study highlights how large-scale organisations like Menzies Aviation can benefit from a secure and sustainable approach to uniform destruction, protecting brand identity, improving operational efficiency, and contributing to global environmental goals.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why did Menzies Aviation need to securely dispose of their uniforms?
As part of a global rebrand, Menzies Aviation replaced thousands of branded uniforms across their international operations. These garments, often worn by cabin crew, air hostesses, and ground staff, are a visible part of the Menzies brand. Improper disposal of aircraft clothing can pose significant risks, including unauthorised use and brand damage.
How does uniform disposal relate to aviation security?
Branded uniforms can be misused if they fall into the wrong hands, leading to serious aviation security concerns. By using Avena’s SecureBrand® service, Menzies ensured all items were securely destroyed beyond recognition, maintaining the integrity and safety of their brand.
How is Avena’s SecureBrand® service different from standard textile recycling?
SecureBrand® offers both security and sustainability. Unlike standard recycling services, Avena uses security-vetted staff, GPS-tracked vehicles, and CCTV-monitored processes. Every item is tracked from collection to final destruction, ensuring total traceability and peace of mind for global organisations like Menzies Aviation.
What happens to the old uniforms after they are destroyed?
After secure destruction, the materials are repurposed into useful products such as insulation, acoustic panels, and geotextiles. Avena operates a zero-to-landfill policy, helping aviation partners like Menzies contribute to a more circular economy.
How does this project support Menzies Aviation’s sustainability goals?
Menzies Aviation is targeting net zero carbon emissions by 2045, with clear milestones along the way. By partnering with Avena, they diverted tonnes of textile waste from landfill and achieved measurable carbon savings. This project aligns with their Scope 3 emissions reduction strategy and broader environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals.
Can uniform disposal really help with reducing carbon emissions?
Yes. In the UK alone, this project saved approximately six tonnes of CO₂e compared to landfill disposal. These savings were confirmed in the Menzies Sustainability Report 2024, reinforcing the value of secure textile destruction in achieving real-world environmental impact.
How does Avena provide proof of secure and sustainable disposal?
Avena supplies certificates of destruction, detailed audit trails, and carbon impact reporting for every collection. This gives Menzies Aviation complete visibility over what happens to their old uniforms and helps them report accurately on sustainability performance.
Is Avena’s SecureBrand® service suitable for smaller operations too?
Absolutely. Whether you’re managing uniforms for a single airport or running international airline operations, Avena’s SecureBrand® solution is fully scalable. It’s ideal for anyone looking to securely dispose of branded workwear like cabin crew uniforms or air hostess attire while meeting aviation industry standards.
How can other aviation businesses get started?
If you’re in aviation, airline operations, or aircraft clothing management and need a trusted partner for uniform disposal, speak to our team today. Avena will tailor a secure and sustainable solution to suit your business needs.
