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 at client and laundry sites 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 51%.

Results

-9%

School days were attended through AV1 in 2020.

Results

+35

Weeks increase in median 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 happens, 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

All five targets were met or exceeded. Longer lifespan and fewer discarded garments means directly reduced CO₂ emissions and lower procurement costs. Scaled to Elis's 20 largest clients, the potential is estimated at 4.4 tonnes of CO₂.

"It looks like we've improved 30–40% in terms of mess on the shelves, it's easier to find the right size, and the washing is better. Many of the interventions have worked."

Employee, client of Elis

What coul be improved?

The service bag intervention was more effective than anticipated, creating a capacity problem when the repair staff member at Elis went on sick leave, making Elis client ending up short on larger sizes for a period. This could have been improved by spending more time anticipating potential spillover effects.

Sources