Want to read in Dutch? Click here
As the war in Ukraine continues, the shortage of military uniforms remains significant. To help address this issue, old Dutch military uniforms are being sent to the war zone. For this project, the Dutch Ministry of Defense has partnered with the Penitentiary Institution (PI) in Almelo, enlisting the help of inmates.
The Dutch Ministry of Defense Assists Ukraine with Military Uniforms
This is not the first time the KPU, the Clothing and Personal Equipment Company of the Dutch Ministry of Defense, has supported Ukraine with uniforms. Since the country’s uniform shortage became known, the KPU has been working hard to send old uniforms. Their efforts include uniforms not only for male soldiers but also for women fighting on the front lines.
In 2023, the Ministry of Defense even urged its female employees to donate their old uniforms. This campaign resulted in the shipment of 64 cubic meters of equipment to Ukrainian female soldiers.
Inmates support project for Ukrainian military uniforms
Sending military uniforms may sound straightforward, but it involves a lot of work. Each uniform must be inspected to ensure it is still in good condition for reuse. The uniforms also need to be washed, stripped of Dutch insignia, folded, and packed into boxes.
To carry out these tasks, the Ministry of Defense enlisted the Penitentiary Institution in Almelo. Since last week, about 12 to 20 inmates have been working on the project, with the ultimate goal of sending 30,000 uniforms to Ukraine.
Inmates also assist with corporate clothing recycling
These activities are not new for the inmates. The PI in Almelo has long been involved in recycling old clothing, including uniforms worn by Dutch prison staff. Inmates sort and remove logos from the uniforms, which are then shredded at other locations and turned into felt.
While the exact shredding location is not specified, it is likely done by Frankenhuis, the only company in the Netherlands specializing in “confidential destruction.” This process is carried out under strict supervision, making them a trusted partner for many government agencies.
The shredded material is then processed into felt, possibly by companies like I-Did, known for transforming corporate clothing from Dutch theme park Efteling into felt products. However, this has not been confirmed.
Once the felt is produced, it returns to the PI in Almelo, where inmates use it to create lamps, paintings, bags, and sound-dampening panels—completing the recycling circle beautifully.
Greetings,