Fit For Purpose is a uniform-specific network for those in South Australia working to create circular government, corporate, school, or sporting uniforms.
Fit For Purpose grew out of work Green Industries SA initiated in 2023 on state government uniforms, which culminated in the Material pathways of uniforms in state government report.
One of the report’s recommendations was to form a working group to allow for continued collaboration in the space of circular textiles, along with development of a sustainable uniform procurement guide and piloting textile recycling.
To support the procurement aspect of circular uniforms, the ESG in Government Uniform Procurement Masterclass, a collaboration between Green Industries SA and the Office of the Industry Advocate, was delivered.
In 2024, this network was expanded beyond state government to welcome participants from local government, corporate brands, sporting clubs, startups and small business, designers, manufacturers and retailers.
As a result of the convening of interested parties around circular uniforms, collaboration and sharing of practice is now increasing uniform reuse and recycling, with initiatives such as:
- SA Water’s uniform reuse store, which has attracted the attention of other participants in the network who are now learning from SA Water’s experience, and adapting their own model
- the Department for Environment and Water’s 12-month trial contract with Queensland-based textile chemical recycler BlockTexx for recycling end of life uniforms into raw materials for industrial use (plastic and cellulose)
- Landscape SA’s ‘virtual reuse’ uniform store, which provides monthly updates on available stock, and leverages the travel of staff between regional offices and the CBD to transport uniform items to recipients
- the Department for Education seeking local uniform manufacturers to be involved in an upcoming tender process for uniforms.
Get involved
Fit For Purpose meets on the first Tuesday of every month at 10:30am, via MS Teams.
If you would like to participate, please contact gisa.circulartextiles@sa.gov.au and you will receive a meeting request for the meeting series.
The meetings are informal, free, and people can participate as much or as little as they wish – there is no need to RSVP or attend every meeting.
