More Sustainable Uniforms with rPET Yarns

We integrated REPREVE fiber into uniforms for the Girl Scouts and Waste Management, fabric using recycled post-consumer plastic bottles.

Waste Management (NYSE: WM), the leading provider of comprehensive waste management environmental services in North America, announced a new sustainable uniform program made from recycled materials (33%), virgin polyester (42%) and cotton (25%). The uniforms are a collaboration between WM, Cintas, Milliken & Company and Unifi.

Cintas spearheaded the project after WM made the request for a more sustainable uniform for its employees on the ground. Needing a material that could withstand daily wear and tear without losing the integrity of the design as well as provide superior sustainability attributes, Cintas turned to Unifi to provide the fiber and to Milliken to develop the final fabric.

The uniform is constructed from a sustainable fabric made with Repreve recycled polyester fiber in two shades, a Hi-Vis and Waste Management Green poly cotton blend, both manufactured by Milliken in the USA. Milliken worked closely with Unifi to source the Repreve fiber, which was manufactured from plastic bottles collected by WM.

Milliken created more modern Girl Scouts fabric for uniforms. We also recently donated 200 new uniforms made with the recycled content to local Girl Scouts troops. A local Girl Scout leader said, “Milliken is a powerful ally. The dedication and commitment to growing the next generation of environmentally conscious female leaders is a belief that we share with Milliken. Without the generous donation of uniforms, many girls would not be able to fully participate in the Girl Scout Leadership Experience,” Lora Tucker, CEO of Girl Scouts of South Carolina—Mountains to Midlands.