Max Westwood
Greater Western Water (GWW) is now working with Assembled Threads to assist in making more employment opportunities for their community in addition to diverting waste from landfill.
GWW chief operating officer Michael Wootten said the uniform recycling bins are now located at their Footscray office for employees to drop off their old personal protective equipment (PPE) and corporate uniforms for Assembled Threads to either recycle or repurpose.
“We are proud to work with Assembled Threads and be part of an initiative that empowers our local communities and helps to break down barriers by offering sustainable employment opportunities,” he said.
“We are committed to taking action towards zero waste and working with Assembled Threads enables us to reduce energy use and emissions while supporting a circular economy approach.”
The GWW uniforms have now been repurposed by Assembled Threads where the logos have been taken off and replaced with new material for resale.
Since their partnership began in February this year, nearly 65kg of GWW uniforms have been taken to their manufacturing hub in North Melbourne for re-purposing.
Assembled Threads chief executive Edwina Walsh said in 2022 that the normal citizen was increasing the amount of clothing they purchase by 60 per cent in comparison to 15 years ago, with only each item being kept around for as long as half as long.
“To put that into context, that is one rubbish truck per second of textile waste heading to landfill,” she said.
“Assembled Threads’ Circular Uniforms Pilot seeks to address the waste in uniform procurement by working together with government and corporations to create circular pathways for uniforms that extend product life and reduce our extreme reliance on burying our waste.
“This project creates employment hours for those in our community who really need them, helping build confidence and economic security whilst also addressing our textile waste crisis, which is a win-win for us all.”
