Giving new life to old PPE
Last week some of our team visited the Workwear Recycled facility in Timaru - the team giving Alpine’s end‑of‑life PPE a meaningful second life. Seeing the process up close was incredibly inspiring, and we’re excited to share a glimpse of what happens behind the scenes.
Why This Matters
New Zealand sends around 100,000 tonnes of clothing to landfill every year - roughly 44kg per person. Every kilogram we divert prevents an estimated 3–4kg of carbon emissions, making textile recycling one of the most effective steps we can take toward a circular economy.
By returning our used PPE, Alpine Energy is:
- Reducing waste to landfill
- Supporting a local sustainability‑focused business
- Lowering carbon emissions
- Ensuring responsible end‑of‑life processing for our uniforms
This initiative is about more than waste reduction - it’s about building a more sustainable future for our industry and our region.
What Happens to Our Used PPE
During the visit, the Workwear Recycled team walked us through the full journey of our gear. Here’s what happens once it leaves the collection bin:
- Sorting: Materials are separated by type and condition
- De‑hardening & Shredding: Hardware is removed and textiles are broken into fibre
- 100% Fibre Recycling: All fibres are repurposed - nothing goes to landfill
- Repurposing: Fibres become new products like insulation, furniture components, coat hangers and more
- Global Distribution: Recycled materials are supplied to partners across NZ, Australia and Sweden
It was remarkable to watch old overalls, gloves, boots and hard hats become raw material for new products - sometimes within minutes.
We also saw finished items made from recycled PPE, including benchtops, chopping boards, water bottles and more.
Sustainability isn’t achieved through one big action - it’s built through many small, deliberate choices over time. We’re proud to see Alpine Energy contributing to that change in a way that delivers real, tangible impact.
