From uniforms to raw materials: how SERIS brings the circular economy to life

During Circular Economy Week, we at SERIS are taking a closer look at a topic that is becoming increasingly important: sustainable and circular workwear. Our partnership with Groenendijk Workwear, the full-service supplier of high-quality circular and safe workwear, forms the foundation of our ambition to achieve fully circular uniforms by 2040. At SERIS, sustainability is not only embedded in our working methods, but also literally in the fibers of our clothing.

The Netherlands is aiming for a fully circular economy by 2050. SERIS doesn’t want to wait that long and is aiming for full circularity by 2040. No more waste at the end of a product’s life cycle, but a new lease on life. From raw material to shirt, from tie to raw material. This circular mindset stems from our sincere commitment, one of our three core values. It also aligns directly with the United Nations’ SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production. In this blog, we’ll show how we put this into practice with our circular workwear and the return process that goes with it.

"Circular" literally refers to a continuous, circular motion. When it comes to waste, this means that residual materials do not end up as end products, but are reused as raw materials for new products. You keep the cycle closed: a product today, the basis for a raw material tomorrow.

Raw materials, components, and products are designed and manufactured in such a way that they can be reused after their useful life, without significant loss of quality. Consider, for example, textiles that, once worn out, can be processed into raw materials with the same properties and quality. With circular workwear, the goal is clear: the longer a uniform’s lifespan, the better. Worn uniforms are collected, repaired, and put back into use as refurbished clothing. Only then can we truly call it circular. But is the lifespan really over? If so, it is recycled into its original raw material; if that is not possible, the material is processed into something else, such as a chair. That is when we are talking about sustainability or recycling—important, but not the same as circularity.

Sustainability is about reducing our ecological footprint. It means making conscious choices that contribute to a livable future, such as using eco-friendly materials and socially responsible production processes. Recycling is an important part of this. In this process, discarded products are converted into new raw materials or products, thereby reducing waste streams.

Circularity is the next step. It is the most far-reaching form of sustainability, in which the goal is to fully close the product lifecycle. A circular process means that a garment doesn’t just get “a new life” as a different product, but truly returns as the same item. Circularity isn’t always immediately achievable. Some materials or applications make full circularity complex, especially in workwear. Consider clothing worn directly against the skin that cannot be reused immediately for hygienic or quality reasons. Nevertheless, at SERIS we continuously strive for improvements and, together with our partner Groenendijk Workwear, we are pushing the boundaries of what is possible. Circularity is our ultimate goal, and we do not shy away from the challenge.

The design strategy of Groenendijk Workwear centers on reuse. Where reuse isn’t possible—for example, due to hygiene or wear and tear—the clothing is recycled into new raw materials. For example, our jackets, pants, and skirts consist of an outer fabric made from 53% and an inner fabric made from 100% recycled polyester, produced from both production waste and post-consumer material: recycled polyester that has been used by end-users for its intended purpose for an indefinite period and then discarded. Thanks to the high quality of this recycled polyester, our workwear remains durable, colorfast, and retains its shape.

The transition to a circular model is made a reality with FS Close, Groenendijk Workwear’s circular workwear line. Thanks to innovative Wear2® yarns, the garments are easy to disassemble and recycle. As a result, all used fabrics are repurposed for high-quality applications. This directly contributes to reducing CO2 emissions and minimizing waste.

Groenendijk Workwear is a pioneer in the industry with the development and implementation of the Digital Product Passport (DPP), a smart tool that promotes circularity and transparency. This passport is more than just a label; it is a digital record that provides insight into the entire lifecycle of our workwear. Via a QR code on each garment, our security guards and hosts gain immediate access to crucial information about the product: from the origin of the materials used and the production methods applied to the social and environmental certifications.

In addition, the DPP provides clear instructions for a responsible return process. SERIS employees can see at a glance how to return a garment at the end of its useful life for reuse or recycling. This helps us support the circular economy and ensures that every uniform is given a new purpose.

Furthermore, Groenendijk Workwear is thereby staying ahead of upcoming European legislation, which is expected to make the DPP mandatory for textile products. These regulations are part of the broader European Green Deal and the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), which require manufacturers to provide full transparency regarding the sustainability and reusability of their products.

Thanks to this proactive approach, Groenendijk Workwear not only meets future requirements, but is already helping SERIS achieve our sustainability goals and prepare for changing EU laws and regulations. Together, we are creating a circular and compliant clothing supply chain.

Circularity is embedded in our daily operations: from design to the return process. Together with our partner Groenendijk Workwear, we have developed a comprehensive system that prioritizes reuse, with recycling serving as the logical next step when reuse is no longer possible.

The process begins with our colleagues, who can easily choose from four return options via the online ordering portal: quality exchange, size exchange, recycling/reuse, or an exit return upon leaving the company. After registering the return shipment, a shipping label is generated immediately, after which the garment is sent to the returns department. There, a thorough check of personal belongings is conducted, followed by an assessment of the clothing for reuse or recycling. The employee’s digital wardrobe is updated, and an automatic confirmation of receipt is sent. In this way, all our colleagues actively contribute to our circular ambitions in just three steps—register, print the label, and ship.

In the returns department, items are then carefully sorted. Garments that have been worn directly against the skin are excluded from reuse for hygiene reasons and are sent directly to the recycling process. Other items, such as jackets or shirts, are thoroughly assessed for quality and presentability. In doing so, the specialists check for wear and tear, such as pilling, colorfastness, and overall technical condition. Clothing suitable for reuse is repaired if necessary and then professionally cleaned. Every garment that meets the strict quality standards is given a new item number, label, and packaging, after which it is reintroduced into our clothing partner’s inventory. This way, every suitable uniform truly gets a second life.

Specifically when an employee leaves the company, the exit return process ensures that clothing does not end up outside the supply chain. The return is linked to the final paycheck, which prevents clothing from entering the open market. Relatively new items are returned to inventory, while other items are reused or recycled immediately.

To make reusable clothing easily recognizable, it is marked with a special reuse label. This way, anyone wearing it can immediately see that it is a garment that has been inspected and fully reconditioned, ready for a new cycle of use.

From design to the return process: together with our partners in the supply chain, we work every day to improve the circular economy. Our sustainable workwear is living proof of this. Ready to make a difference with us? Contact us and discover how we can help your organization become more sustainable.