95% reduction in pocket content and workwear that lasts longer

Elis rents out workwear to businesses and is responsible for washing and maintenance. The challenge was that employees were handling the garments in ways that shortened their lifespan, without realizing it.

Results
95%
Reduction in pocket content arriving at the laundry.
Results
9%
Reduction in ragged out garment due to behavior change, from 58% to 51%
Results
35%
Weeks increase in median workwear lifespan

Results

95%

Reduction in pocket content arriving at the laundry.

Results

95%

Reduction in pocket content arriving at the laundry.

Results

9%

Reduction in ragged out garment due to behavior change, from 58% to 49%.

Results

9%

School days were attended through AV1 in 2020.

Results

35

Weeks increase in workwear lifespan.

Results

35

School days were attended through AV1 in 2020.

Process

Observations and interviews at Elis and their client site uncovered three core barriers: employees hoarded garments in their lockers because they didn't trust that the right size would always be available, service bags for repairs were hidden away and rarely used, and pockets were not always emptied before handing in garments for washing. Interventions were placed where the behavior actually happened, including reminders on locker doors at the exact moment employees change, color-coded shelving by size where they collect new garment, service bags made visible with a pen and descriptive sign, and a visual decision guide for laundry staff at Elis.

Results

Workwear arriving at the laundry had fewer items left in the pockets. The garment room at Elis's client became tidier, it was easier to find the right size, and more garments were sent for repair instead of being left on the shelves. Laundry staff at Elis more frequently selected the right wash program, reducing unnecessary wear. Overall, the interventions meant garments lasted longer and fewer needed to be replaced. Scaled to Elis's 20 largest clients, the potential is estimated at 4.4 tonnes of CO₂ and significant savings in procurement costs per year.

"These are simple measures we will introduce with other clients."

Employee, Elis

What could be improved?

In addition to reminding employees to empty their pockets the moment they changed in the locker room, a box was placed by the laundry bins where work clothes were deposited outside the locker room. Because things from pockets were collected early on in the locker room, this box was hardly used, confirming studies on the importance of nudging within the right context.

Sources