Fresh Threads, Fresh Start: Recycling Subway® Uniforms with UPPAREL
Join UPPAREL and Subway® in taking sustainable action by recycling outdated uniforms and accessories.
As the global sandwich leader, Subway® serves freshly made sandwiches at a great value to millions of guests around the world in nearly 37,000 restaurants every day. Subway® restaurants are owned and operated by a network of thousands of dedicated Subway® franchisees who are passionate about consistently delivering a high-quality, convenient guest experience and contributing positively to their local communities.
Our collective purpose starts with the food we serve in our restaurants, but it goes well beyond that. Subway® is focused on fueling healthy businesses and healthier lives. We live our purpose by Making Better Living Way Easier and taking action across three key sustainability pillars: Better Living, Better Businesses and a Better Planet. By focusing on where we can truly make positive change, we’re able to do well by doing good for guests and our communities.
Subway® is continually striving to make meaningful changes across operations to reduce waste, which is why we are excited to be working with UPPAREL across Australia and New Zealand to provide a sustainable option to our franchisees when it comes to updating restaurant uniforms.
How it works
Register for collection.
Purchase your shipping label for $35.
Gather your textiles.
Send your old uniform—just make sure they are clean and ready for a second life.
Pack your box.
Any box or durable package that can be fully sealed will do. Attach the label and book your courier collection.
We’ll organise the rest…
A courier will come and collect your goods from your front door.
More than half a billion kilograms of unwanted textiles end up in Australian landfills every single year—95% of this could be recycled.
It’s time to embrace a circular model and close the loop on textile waste.
Textile Recycling Collection – Subway®
$35.00 – $70.00
What’s next for my old textiles?
Your items will be decommissioned and securely shredded before turned into new circular products and materials.
What can I send?
We’ve got a few guidelines to follow when choosing items to send back.
Got more questions?
We’re happy to answer them!
✅ Shirts
✅ Visors & Caps
✅ Aprons
✅ Bandanas
❌ Unwashed items
Once you’ve got your textiles boxed and ready to be collected, simply book your collection through the link in your order confirmation email. After selecting your desired date this will then generate labels that will be sent to your email address for you to print and attach to your box(es). Now you can leave your package(s) outside for collection. We’ll take care of the rest!
To reduce waste and emissions we don’t send you anything to collect your items in. Your textiles can be packaged into ANY type of box (no larger than check-in luggage) — a food delivery box, grocery box or moving box would work! You can also pack your items into a durable bag or satchel.
As a reference, the package should be approximately 46cm x 41cm x 42cm, however, it doesn’t have to be these dimensions exactly!
Please note: The courier cannot collect garbage bags.
Check out our suggested packaging video below for ideas!
You will have to place two separate orders, one for each box size. Since we’ve simplified our booking process, these orders directly integrate with our scheduling system. This means booking the two separate orders will be quick and easy!
Unfortunately not. We don’t currently have the resources, infrastructure or team to manage drop-offs from the public. We’ll be sure to let our community know if this changes in the future, but for now you can organise a contactless-collection HERE.
Once the textiles are sorted and identified as suitable for recycling, they are first decommissioned to remove all hardware such as buttons and zips that may contaminate the final recycled product. From there, the textiles are broken down into fine fluffy fibre through a unique mechanical process. This fluffy fibre can then be utilised as is, or compressed and used as home insulation, office partitions, couch cushions, pet beds, acoustic panelling, and so much more! Additionally, this recycled product is also completely circular. So once it reaches the end of its life, it can be thrown straight back into the recycling process and given a new life!
We offer contactless collections Australia-wide! Customers will be provided with a link through the collection confirmation email to schedule their collection for a date that suits them best.
Please note — couriers do not collect on weekends. If you do not have a safe place to leave your items, reach out via [email protected] for assistance.