FOCUS ON SUSTAINABILITY
UPCYCLING OF WORKWEAR
In an era where sustainability and the circular economy are high on the agenda, CRH Concrete has taken a significant step towards a responsible approach to the handling of workwear. We have implemented a sorting system that not only saves money, but also reduces waste and promotes reuse. Through this scheme, it is ensured that workwear that can no longer be used — whether due to wear and tear or concrete stains — does not go to waste.
FROM WASTE TO VALUE
When workwear at CRH Concrete becomes too worn or too dirty to be used again, it is returned to Textilia’s Upcy division, which specialises in upcycling. This unit reuses the discarded clothing by unravelling it and transforming it into new products such as cloths, bags and even new workwear.
Bodil Routh Bregendahl, assembly assistant at CRH Concrete, is a central figure in this process. She is responsible for sorting the clothing and managing the practical aspects of the scheme.
— I see on a daily basis how much clothing is discarded, and it is wonderful to see that we can now reuse it in a meaningful way. It feels good to know that we are contributing to a more sustainable future, says Bodil.
OVERVIEW AND EFFICIENCY
One of the major challenges for many companies is keeping track of the amount of workwear in circulation. Previously, CRH Concrete found it difficult to get an overview of how much clothing was held in stock, and how much needed to be washed and replaced. To ensure that this system functions optimally, CRH Concrete has introduced a scheme whereby employees are required to hand in their old workwear when they need new items. This enables the company to keep track of the quantity of clothing and ensure that all discarded items are reused or upcycled.
With the new system, we have gained control of workwear stock levels. Employees hand in their old clothing when they need new items, which means that we now have precise data on how much clothing is in use and how much needs to be replaced. This creates a far more manageable and efficient process that saves both time and money.
A WIN-WIN SITUATION
This requirement is not only a practical measure, but also part of the company’s strategy to take responsibility for its environmental impact. By requiring employees to participate actively in the reuse scheme, CRH Concrete is creating a culture focused on recycling.
Xilin Luo, Category Manager at CRH Concrete, manages the relationship with Textilia Upcy, the company that supplies the clothing and takes it back for upcycling.
— Our collaboration with Textilia Upcy has been a game changer. They ensure that our used workwear is recycled efficiently. It is a win-win situation, says Xilin.
Bodil Routh Bregendahl sees great value in the sorting solution. — Employees have become more aware of their role in our sustainability efforts. It is not only good for the company, but also for our conscience, concludes Bodil.
The sorting system has initially been introduced in the assembly division, with just over 200 assembly workers. Work is under way to implement a similar arrangement at all of our factories in Denmark.
