Recycling Scheme Booklet 2022 - Flipbook - Page 11
Our recycling scheme follows the same process as before in many
ways, with any changes providing benefits that positively impact
the environment.
1
Step
Contact your Customer Experience Specialist or order your recycling boxes
via out MY-SMI portal. You can still choose to order from the three different
options: either two boxes, four or eight using the same product codes as before
each box at 120 litres.
2
Step
Fill your boxes with any clothing, textiles, PPE, safety helmets, gloves, safety
boots, plastic, and non-woven items. The only caveat is these boxes must
be kept clean and dry, free from secondary contamination and away from
general waste. SMI and Race will do the rest!
3
Step
Once your box is ready for collection, please contact SMI and we will arrange
for DPD to collect your boxes are delivery them straight to Race recycling
centres. This is a huge benefit to SMI as our previous scheme required the
boxes getting collected from our customers, delivered to our Distribution
Centre in Fareham, the content of the boxes was deposited and securely stored
in special bins before getting collected by Avena ready for disposal. With our
new scheme this not only skips the middleman giving our team down in our
warehouse more time to focus on our customers orders. Its also reduces the
number of deliveries and collections per order lowering the carbon emissions
associated with this scheme. One free collection is included per order, if you
require the boxes to be collected separately, please be aware you will incur a
collection charge of £9.95.
4
Step
Race responsibly and securely dispose of the content of the boxes.
5
BREAKDOWN OF HOW YOUR
PRODUCTS CAN BE RECOVERED
OR RECYCLED
CLOTHING:
Almost all clothing is 100% recyclable, it is the process that differs
dependent on the different materials based on fibre compositions and
the end users that are available. For example, the percentage of polyester
fibre in most PPE is not suitable for upholstery fillings or mattress insulator
pads, this is because these generally require a much higher natural fibre
content. Therefore, majority of the polyester clothing is used in automotive
insulation where a higher percentage of polyester is acceptable. Race is
trusted by a variety of businesses across all industries including a range of
police forces across the UK to securely dispose and recycle their uniform.
PPE:
Most safety helmets have a composite swear band and nylon chinstrap
which is extremely difficult to separate from the main body of the helmet.
The same challenge is found when looking at ear defenders and the foam
lining attached to the outer shell, alongside the three different types of
plastics which would all need to be separated for them to be recycled
responsibly. Majority of gloves also fall into this category, especially work
gloves with a PU coating. This is because the fibres have been heavily PU
coated and cannot be removed, therefore they are not recyclable. Currently
in the market there is not a mechanical process which can separate these
materials. The only option involves stripping them by hand by which not
cost effective, and the process is extremely difficult. These products will
go through the necessary steps to create SRF to ensure nothing goes to
landfill and the most environmentally friendly disposal method is used.
Step
The SMI cardboard recycling boxes are baled and sent to the sister company
of Race the Elsa Recycling Group. Elsa specialises in the recycling of plastic,
cardboard and paper, recycling over 700 tonnes per week and supplying
cardboard to miles across the UK, Europe, and the far East.
6
Step
SMI can provide our customers with a certificate of secure destruction at the
end of the calendar month. If you would like your certificate, please contact
the team at SMI.
9 | SMI WORKWEAR RECYCLING SCHEME | 2022
SAFETY BOOTS
Similarly, safety boots are currently very different to 100% recycle due
to the range of materials used. There is only one company in Europe who
can successfully separate the leather from the bonded sole and textile
interlining, therefore with limited access to this technology SRF the best
option. Race also re-purpose any safety boots which fit their quality checks.
The FCRE grading system ensured that any worn out, odd and damaged
safety boots are recovered, however any serviceable and useable footwear
are exported to developing countries extending the products lifespan.
SMI WORKWEAR RECYCLING SCHEME | 2022 | 10