This report details the outcomes of a research project to understand and identify emerging and commercially viable de-labelling or de-branding technologies for corporate-wear.
Key findings
- Interest in the opportunities afforded by de-branding of corporate-wear is growing, and there are currently no large or commercial scale operations in this area.
- The de-branding technologies examined require an element of 'design for end of life’.
Overview
This project looked in depth at de-labelling or de-branding technologies that might be utilised for end of life corporate-wear.
The purpose of this work was to identify commercially viable and emerging de-labelling or de-branding technologies that might be utilised for end of life corporate-wear and to assess their cost and carbon impacts alongside the economic benefits of garment re-use.
To properly assess their cost and carbon impacts this research covered four technologies that, although not currently widely applied, but might be appropriate for application to this area of corporate-wear de-branding.
The technologies are: Manual Unpicking, Microwave Treatment, Adhesives and Over-branding – and they are investigated in the case studies related to this report.
The primary audience for this work is the end of life reprocessors and corporate wear suppliers and manufacturers, but it will be of interest to all stakeholders within the corporate-wear life-cycle.
Contents
Case study 1: Carbon and costs impacts of microwave treatment for corporate-wear de-branding
This report presents the carbon impact assessment and cost benefit analysis carried out on the microwave treatment method, as developed by Wear2.
This technology was developed as part of a Technology Strategy Board (TSB) project focussing on developing new processes and introducing novel applications for materials.
It aims assist the corporate clothing sector to reduce its environmental and societal burdens.
Case study 2: Carbon and cost impacts of manual unpicking for corporate-wear de-branding
This case study presents the carbon impact assessment and cost benefit analysis carried out on manual unpicking method.
In the technology review this method was identified as having potential, although its current applications centre around removing care labels and neck labels. It was thought that for certain types of branding, for example where the embroidered badge is sewn onto a garment, manual unpicking would be a low technology route to achieve de-branding.
Case study 3: Carbon and cost impacts of over-branding to enable corporate-wear re-use
This case study presents the carbon impact assessment and cost benefit analysis carried out on the over-branding method.
This method is one that is currently of interest to corporate-wear procurers who have an interest in giving their uniforms a second life as garments. It involves simply attaching or embroidering directly, new branding over the top of old such that the previous brand is completely hidden. It is thought that there are no companies offering this as a service currently, but it is seen as a method that could be applied reasonably easily.
Case study 4: Carbon and cost impacts of the adhesive technology method for corporate-wear de-branding
This case study presents the carbon impact assessment and cost benefit analysis carried out on the adhesive technology method. Such a technology is provided by Ethical Badges, a company with an adhesive technology product which targets the removal of brands from uniforms, enabling the re-use of the garment.
We would be interested to know if you act upon any of this research. Please let us know by email to: [email protected]
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