Purchasing workwear is rarely a small decision. For public organizations, it involves operational reliability, economy, and workplace safety – and increasingly, environmental and climate responsibility.

But what does more environmentally friendly workwear actually mean in practice? And where does it have the greatest impact to set requirements?

At Nybo Workwear, we recommend that public buyers particularly consider the following ten points. They are simple to work with, easy to translate into procurement requirements, and make a real difference in practice.

1. Choose clothing that can be used many times – and use it for a long time

The most effective way to reduce the environmental impact of textiles is to extend their lifespan. The more times a piece of workwear can be used, the lower the environmental footprint per use.

Therefore, set requirements for the durability, wear resistance, and expected lifetime of the clothing. Ask your laundry provider to document how many washes and uses the garment is designed for. At the same time, it is worth reconsidering when clothing is discarded. Often, the lifespan can be significantly extended with the right approach.

2. Require repair instead of replacement

Repairing clothing is significantly less resource-intensive than producing new items. Replacing zippers, buttons, or seams – or adding patches – has a much lower environmental impact than fully replacing the garment.

By requiring a systematic repair process, the lifespan of workwear can be significantly extended, while both environmental impact and costs are reduced.

3. Only purchase the textiles that are actually needed

Overconsumption often starts at the point of purchase. Consider whether seasonal collections are truly necessary, or if the same workwear can be used year-round.

By reducing the number of different textiles and variations, both production, inventory requirements, and overall environmental impact are minimized – without compromising functionality.

4. Choose textiles in light colors

Color choice has a greater impact than many realize. Producing dark textiles requires significantly more chemicals than lighter ones.

For example, dark red or burgundy requires more than three times as much dye as light blue. By choosing light colors, chemical use – and thus environmental impact – can be significantly reduced.

5. Offer users fewer options

A wide selection may seem attractive, but many variants often lead to larger inventories, more custom production, and increased waste.

By focusing instead on a few well-tested styles with high functionality, fewer garments need to be produced overall, and workflows are simplified for both users and administration.

6. Choose textiles with more environmentally friendly fibers

The fiber content has a significant impact on the overall environmental footprint of a textile. Fibers such as recycled polyester and TENCEL™ (lyocell) can reduce the environmental impact of production by up to 50% compared to conventional alternatives.

Therefore, set requirements for material selection and choose textiles where the fiber content actively contributes to a lower environmental burden.

7. Choose textiles with the right mix of certifications

Certifications can be complex to navigate, but they are an important tool. The greatest impact is achieved by combining certifications at multiple levels:

Product level (e.g., chemical testing such as OEKO-TEX 100 Standard)

Production level (e.g., environmental and workplace requirements at factories such as OEKO-TEX STeP)

Brand level (e.g., due diligence and responsibility in the value chain such as Grüner Knopf)

This combination ensures both the absence of harmful chemicals and documented efforts to reduce environmental impact across the entire value chain.

8. Avoid logos on clothing

Embroidered or printed logos make it difficult – or even impossible – to recycle workwear. As a result, otherwise usable garments often end up as waste.

By avoiding logos, clothing can be more easily reused, circulated, or worn for longer, significantly reducing the amount of textile waste.

9. Choose clothing with as little additional hardware as possible

Every extra pocket, button, or zipper requires resources such as plastic, oil, and energy. Accessories can account for up to 5% of the textile’s total environmental impact.

By selecting simpler designs without unnecessary hardware, the environmental burden can be reduced – often without compromising functionality.

10. Require environmental responsibility from your supplier

The environmental impact of workwear does not stop at the product itself. Laundries and manufacturers play a central role – also during the usage phase and in follow-up orders.

Therefore, require that suppliers can document their environmental efforts, for example through CO₂ accounts and reduction targets. When the supplier’s overall footprint is reduced, your impact is reduced as well.

Small Choices – Big Impact

Environmentally friendly workwear purchasing is not about a single decision, but about many well-considered choices in combination.

By systematically applying these ten points, public buyers can take concrete responsibility – without compromising on quality, functionality, or cost.

At Nybo Workwear, we are happy to help translate ambitions into practice.