Hong Kong Air Cargo Terminals Limited (Hactl) – Hong Kong’s largest independent handler – has successfully transformed its old staff uniforms into 5,000 upcycled cups through its “Zero Waste Uniform Upcycling Project”.

The initiative marks the first zero-waste upcycling project for old clothing in the history of Hong Kong’s aviation industry.  

The old uniforms were made of durable, waterproof blended fibres, which are typically difficult to recycle and often end up in landfill. Through the “Zero Waste Uniform Upcycling Project”, polyester fibres from the old uniforms were recycled through melt-granulation and other processes into raw plastic granules that were then used to manufacture recyclable plastic cups. The project has demonstrated the unlimited possibilities of zero-waste upcycling of old uniforms for the aviation industry and other sectors.

Says Hactl Chief Executive Wilson Kwong: “In Hong Kong, the aviation industry, like many industries, provides uniforms for frontline staff. Dealing with old uniforms is an important environmental issue. We hope that through this project, we can break through traditional limitations and recycle old uniforms to achieve ‘zero waste upcycling’ and reduce the burden on landfills, while encouraging the industry to contribute towards a circular economy and sustainable development.”

Since launching its “Green Terminal” programme in 2018, Hactl has been making positive impacts on the community and environment. It has committed to achieving a 75% waste recycling rate by 2030. The “Zero Waste Uniform Upcycling Project” is one of Hactl’s most significant initiatives to help realise this goal.

According to statistics released by the Environmental Protection Department, Hong Kong’s textile waste recycling rate increased from about 4% in 2018 to nearly 11% in 2022. However, company uniforms are mostly made of blended materials and are rarely recycled. Even when recycled, they are only used to create recycled textile fibres for manufacturing new clothing. By upcycling old uniforms into non-textile products, Hactl’s “Zero Waste Uniform Upcycling Project” has opened the door to new possibilities for raw plastics derived from clothing. Most importantly, the fact that these 5,000 cups, made from upcycled materials, can be recycled again in future to create other high-value products demonstrates the possibility and potential of achieving a circular economy.