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Retalhar : business uniforms transformed into blankets for donation to people in socially vulnerable situations

Last updated: Dec 28, 2023

Summary

Retalhar is a company that integrates post-consumer corporate uniforms received from companies that generate large volumes, then the uniforms are shredded, and later transformed into blankets for socially vulnerable people and corporate gifts, creating shared value.

Problem

Companies need to discard their employees' disused uniforms and pay attention to their mischaracterization so as not to run the risk of corrupting the company's image and brand. This company was created to carry out the reverse logistics of post-consumer professional uniforms that would be incinerated or disposed of in landfills.

Solution

The recycled uniforms are first put through a process of decharacterization, which ensures the safety of the brands. Next, the fabrics are destined for recycling, which involves the steps: crushing, shredding and reinsertion in the productive sector for various purposes (such as civil construction and the automobile industry). This work is carried out by inclusive and specialized labor through sewing cooperatives.

Outcome

In six years, 224 thousand Kg of reused professional uniforms have already been recycled- more than 705 thousand pieces.

Using the discarded uniforms as a raw material, more than 65,000 blankets have been produced and distributed to people in situations of social vulnerability, and more than 25,000 personalized products have already been made, such as corporate gifts and backpacks for children in need.

With this, carbon emissions are avoided, and landfills and the overload of natural resources are saved.