Sustainability Hub
Workwear and PPE take-back
Contact us first. Then bring the agreed items to The Workwear Co. in Belfast.
Get in touch first. We do not collect used kit unless that has been specifically agreed with you in writing.
When it’s time to replace kit you bought from us, you can use our free take-back service so we can recycle it.
Send us a list of the old items. Once we confirm what we can take, bring the agreed items to The Workwear Co. in Belfast.
How to bring your kit back
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Email us your kit list
Tell us what you have, how many items, their condition and how they were used.
Include your postcode or Eircode and your order number if you have it. Mention any logos, staff names or paperwork you need.
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Wait for us to confirm
We’ll tell you what we can take, how to pack it and where to bring it.
The take-back service is free of charge for workwear and PPE you bought from us, and we recycle it.
If anything may be contaminated, tell us before you pack or move it.
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Bring the agreed items to us
Follow the packing and drop-off instructions we give you.
Bring only the items we have confirmed we can take, to The Workwear Co., Unit 8 & 11 Agnes Street Industrial Estate, Belfast BT13 1GB, unless we give you a different drop-off instruction.
Check your type of kit before you send the list, if you’re unsure what to include.
What we do with it
- Reuse. Suitable workwear can be used again. PPE designed for reuse needs safety checks first. We remove logos and staff names before kit is reused.
- Recycling. Some materials can be used to make board products.
- Energy recovery. Some material can be cut and used as fuel to generate energy. We describe that outcome separately from material recycling.
If disposal is needed, we’ll explain the options. A return can contain items that take different routes.
Ask for confirmed treatment information if you need to know what a specific batch became.
Your branding
Your logos and staff names
We remove logos and staff names before kit is reused.
If we can’t safely remove them, we agree how to destroy them securely.
Ask before dropping off your kit if you need proof of destruction or a record of what happened to it.
What to send us first
- Business name, contact and originating site postcode or Eircode
- Original order reference, if available
- Item types, models or label details and approximate quantities
- Condition, known use history and any suspected exposure
- Company logos, staff names, badges or other identifying marks. Cover individual identifiers in photos
- Whether you need handover, destruction or final treatment records
- Any replacement date, site closure or rebrand deadline
We’ll tell you what we can take, what to pack separately and where to bring the agreed items.
Keep potential contamination out of the routine return and follow your site’s procedure. If you are unsure about an item, describe it before moving or packing it for us.
What paperwork can tell you
A handover record shows what was handed over, when and to whom.
A destruction record, where available, can confirm what was destroyed. Treatment records, where available, tell you the eventual route.
These documents answer different questions, so tell us which records you need before you bring the kit.
Frequently asked questions
What happens to workwear and PPE I buy from you when it reaches the end of its working life?
Get in touch when you’re ready to replace it. Send us your item list and original order reference if available. The take-back service is free of charge, and we recycle workwear and PPE you bought from us. We’ll tell you what you can bring to us, where to drop it off and what we can do with it.
What details should I send with my enquiry?
Include your company name, site postcode or Eircode, item types, approximate quantities, condition and previous use. Tell us about logos or names on the kit and any paperwork your business needs. Photos of manufacturer labels and branding positions can help. Cover staff names and identification numbers in photos.
Can you take PPE or workwear that came from another supplier?
No. The take-back service is only for workwear and PPE you have bought from us, and it is free of charge so we can recycle it. Kit from another supplier cannot be included in a take-back return.
Do I need my original order number?
Include it if you have it. It can help us identify the items you bought. If it’s unavailable, send the model details, photos of the labels or a description of the kit so we can check.
How do I bring my used kit to you?
Send us your item list and site postcode or Eircode first. We’ll confirm what we can take and where to drop it off. Then bring the agreed items to us.
Do you supply the UK and Ireland, and can I return kit from my site?
We supply workwear and PPE from Belfast across the UK, including Northern Ireland, and Ireland. For used kit, send your site postcode or Eircode and item list so we can confirm what you can bring to us. Delivery for new orders.
Can I return kit from several sites or departments?
Send one list with quantities broken down by site or department. Flag mixed PPE, different branding and any separate reporting requirements. We’ll confirm what to pack, where to bring it and what records we can provide.
Is there a minimum quantity? Is take-back free?
The take-back service is free of charge for workwear and PPE you have bought from us, and we recycle it. Tell us how much you have and where it is, and we’ll confirm the arrangements before you commit to the return. The options can depend on the items, volume, location and treatment required.
Can I use take-back for a refund or exchange?
Take-back is a free of charge service for workwear and PPE you have bought from us, at the end of its working life, so we can recycle it. For an order issue, faulty item or sizing problem, use the normal returns and exchanges guidance or contact customer service.
Can I bring a mixed box of uniforms, boots and helmets?
List what you have first. Different items may need separate handling, so wait for the sorting instructions we agree with you. Keep anything potentially contaminated out of routine returns and tell us about it before you pack or bring the kit. DAERA hazardous waste guidance.
What if an item is wet, soiled or may be contaminated?
Tell us the condition and any suspected exposure before packing or moving it for return. Keep potentially contaminated kit out of routine returns and follow your site’s procedures. If hazardous waste is involved, arrange the appropriate specialist route. DAERA hazardous waste guidance.
What’s the difference between reuse, material recycling and energy recovery?
Reuse keeps a suitable item in use. Material recycling recovers material for use in another product. Energy recovery uses suitable material to generate energy. Report these outcomes separately. DAERA Northern Ireland waste hierarchy.
Can old PPE become board products?
Suitable recovered material can be used to make board products if the batch meets the requirements for that route. The item’s materials, trims and condition affect eligibility. Ask what records are available.
What does it mean when material is prepared as fuel?
Some eligible material unsuitable for reuse or recycling can be cut and prepared for an energy recovery facility. It’s a separate treatment route from turning the material into a new product. Ask for the treatment breakdown if you need to report it.
What happens if a return needs disposal?
If reuse, material recycling and recovery are unsuitable, we’ll discuss any available disposal route when agreeing the return.
What paperwork can I ask for?
Tell us whether you need a handover or transfer record, evidence of secure destruction or information on final treatment. We’ll confirm what is available for the agreed route before you bring the kit.
Does a handover record tell me what was recycled?
A handover record shows what changed hands. Look for a treatment record to establish which route the materials actually took. If you need a weight breakdown for reporting, ask in advance which figures can be provided and whether they are measured or estimated. DAERA waste duty of care.
Can I report carbon savings or a landfill diversion percentage from my return?
Ask first what the batch records establish. A claim about avoided emissions or landfill diversion needs evidence and a clear method. The weight we receive tells you how much kit was dropped off. See the CMA Green Claims Code.
Ready to send your list?
Email us the old items first. We’ll confirm what we can take. Then bring the agreed kit to us in Belfast.