In mid-2024, SA Water has launched a pre-loved uniform store at its head office in the Adelaide CBD, offering staff a practical way to reuse garments and reduce textile waste. With more than 1,000 employees working across regional and metropolitan South Australia in both field and office roles, the initiative addresses a growing need for sustainable uniform management.
The challenge
Uniform management at SA Water previously involved ad-hoc storage and eventual disposal. Staff often stored unused garments in cupboards or discarded them when spaces were cleared or during office relocations. Returned uniforms were typically sent to landfill, as the 30 uniform coordinators across the organisation had no formal process for managing uniforms at the end of their life.
Three main drivers motivated the creation of the reuse store:
- Delays in PPE deliveries, leading to supply shortages
- Environmental commitments, particularly around circular economy goals
- Significant stockpiles of usable uniforms that staff were reluctant to throw away
The solution
SA Water explored several approaches to managing end-of-life uniforms, including removing names and logos for donation. The selected model was an internal “op shop” style reuse store, tailored specifically for uniforms.
Key steps included:
- design and branding – collaborating with SA Water’s branding team to define acceptable colours, styles, patch formats, and minimum donation requirements
- logistics – securing a suitable space and outfitting it with cupboards and racks
- sourcing stock – gathering uniforms from existing stockpiles at worksites and offices
- patches and repairs – partnering with a local South Australian business to supply name patches, and finding nearby sewing services to complete repairs
- ordering system – creating a simple online form for ordering name patches
- promotion – coordinating with communications and administration teams to develop signage and raise awareness.
Non-conforming or end-of-life garments are sent to Queensland-based recycler BlockTexx through local partner Bedford Industries. These garments are decommissioned and processed to recover cellulose and polyester from cotton/polyester blends.
Outcomes
Within the first 6 months of operation there have been:
- 1,000 garments donated
- 450 garments reused, representing a saving of approximately $22,500 in procurement costs
- 26 hours of staff time saved in uniform ordering, based on an average 17-minute order process
- 270 weeks of delivery wait time avoided, based on an average 2 to 3 weeks wait for deliveries.
Additional benefits
- Demonstration of SA Water’s commitment to moving towards a circular economy
- Improved availability of PPE (for both borrowing and long-term use)
- Tangible cost savings
- Organisational recognition and staff engagement
- Positive feedback during the soft launch phase
SA Water’s uniform reuse store is a practical, scalable initiative that demonstrates SA Water’s commitment to sustainability, resource efficiency, and organisational innovation.
Resources
Tips for success
- Understand your uniform types and waste streams: Map out what uniforms are in circulation and identify where waste is occurring.
- Challenge the status quo: Ask critical questions, such as whether name labels are really necessary, and work to remove unnecessary barriers to reuse.
- Keep it simple: Develop a straightforward process for donating, collecting and maintaining uniforms.
Messaging
An adaptable communication template is available to help you implement a uniform reuse initiative in your own workplace.
