The national government is committed to more reuse and processing of clothing | News item

Based on the national objectives for social return, the Ministry of Defense only invited sheltered employment companies for this tender. People who cannot independently find or keep a place in the labor market are helped to find work. Biga Group won the tender.

Maximum reuse and recycling

The employees of Biga Group sort workwear and equipment for maximum reuse and recycling. This concerns one and a half million articles per year. With this new contract, goods from, among others, the Ministry of Defence, the Tax Authorities, Customs, Rijkswaterstaat and Staatsbosbeheer are processed.

Van der Maat: “A few years ago, 500,000 euros worth of old clothing was burned. Thanks to Biga Group, the vast majority now has a new destination. That means: less destruction, more returns and fewer safety risks, because the uniforms do not end up in the wrong hands.”

The team that sorts the items has 120 employees. With this assignment they have a paid job and determine what destination something gets. Part of it will be returned to the participating government parties for reuse. Another part is stripped of features, such as logos, and is sold through Domeinen Roerende Zaken.

New socks and wall panels

For maximum reuse, a part is also processed into new clothing, among other things. For example, old polo shirts and combat suits are being changed into new socks and T-shirts for soldiers, for example. Or other articles are made from it, such as wall panels for government buildings.

With this assignment, the government is fulfilling its sustainability objective of ultimately becoming fully circular.