Sustainable workwear shipping is becoming increasingly important as new packaging rules come into force across Europe. From August, small products may no longer be shipped in oversized boxes or with excessive amounts of filling material. But what is the best way to ship workwear sustainably? Which rules apply, and what else can companies do? In this article, I’ll explain everything you need to know.
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PPWR introduces stricter packaging rules
The new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) has been in force since 2025. However, from 12 August 2026, companies must comply with its requirements.
The PPWR aims to reduce packaging waste, improve recycling and introduce stricter requirements for packaging materials. That makes sense, considering that 40% of all plastics used in the European Union come from packaging. Packaging also accounts for around half of all marine waste. In short, stricter rules are long overdue.
Sustainable workwear shipping: 4 practical tips
When it comes to workwear, uniforms and personal protective equipment (PPE), complying with the new rules is relatively straightforward. Unlike food or fragile products, workwear does not require complex protective packaging.
If you are shipping workwear, these are the four most important things to consider.
1. Choose a box that fits the product
Under the new rules, companies may no longer ship small products in oversized boxes. Businesses therefore need to review whether the cardboard boxes they purchase actually fit the products they sell.
Workwear manufacturer Mascot addressed this issue some time ago. The company uses recycled pulp boxes to transport products from Vietnam and Laos. Once the boxes arrive in Denmark, Mascot reuses them to ship orders to customers. To avoid oversized packaging, the company uses an automated system that compresses the garments. If there is still too much empty space, the machine trims the box from the top so it perfectly fits the contents.
2. Use as little filling material as possible
The new rules also require companies to minimise empty space inside packaging. Large amounts of filling material, such as bubble wrap, may indicate that the box is unnecessarily large.
From 2028 onwards, companies must also place a label on the packaging stating which materials it contains.
3. Use recyclable packaging materials
The materials used for shipping should be as recyclable as possible. This applies not only to cardboard boxes, but also to filling materials.
The German PPE manufacturer Uvex Group has even developed different packaging solutions for individual products. One of its safety glasses, for example, comes in polyester bags made from 70% recycled production waste. The box itself consists of 90% recycled paper. To reduce plastic waste, the company also doubled the packaging unit from five to ten pairs of safety glasses.
Why sustainable workwear shipping matters
Besides improving packaging, more and more companies are also reducing the environmental impact of transport. By carefully considering CO₂ emissions, businesses can make more sustainable logistics decisions.
Swedish workwear manufacturer Fristads has focused on this for years. To reduce emissions, the company transports as much as possible by sea freight and road transport. Air freight is only used in exceptional situations. Fristads has also introduced extra-large trucks that carry more goods than standard vehicles, reducing emissions per shipment.
Sustainable workwear shipping is not new
The new European rules will encourage companies to think more carefully about packaging. However, the examples from the workwear industry show that sustainable shipping has been possible for years. In the end, it not only reduces waste but often also creates a more efficient logistics process.
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Best,
Aileen
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