Garment Recovery Service recycling program FAQs

Tell people about recycling Tyvek Clothing! |

This page answers some commonly asked questions about our Tyvek® Recycling Program. The intent is to help your company begin recycling disposable garments instead of discarding them into the solid waste stream. Although we have certain guidelines, GRS will tailor the program to accommodate the specific needs of each facility.

Frequently asked questions

Why should we recycle our Tyvek®?

What is the best reason to recycle our Tyvek®?

Who is Garment Recovery Systems?

Do you have to buy garments from GRS in order to recycle them?

What type of garments does GRS accept?

Does GRS accept torn garments?

Do we need to sort or count garments?

What about hazardous garments?

What is the best way for us to collect garments?

How do we ship the garments?

What if we can not save enough to ship via common carrier?

Why should we recycle our Tyvek®?

As our country’s landfills reach capacity, states and local communities are finding it increasingly difficult to dispose of solid waste. Tyvek® is 100% polyethylene and does not decompose in landfills; however, it can be diverted from the solid waste stream, recycled by GRS and, at the same time, generate financial support to the local shelter for abused women & children.

What is the best reason to recycle our Tyvek®?

What is the best reason to recycle our disposable garments ?

Recycling is always a good idea. What a great way for your company to state "We care about the environment".

Saves Natural Resources - By making products from recycled materials instead of virgin materials, we conserve land and reduce the need to drill for oil and dig for minerals.

Saves Energy - It usually takes less energy to make recycled products; recycled aluminum, for example, takes 95% less energy than new aluminum from bauxite ore.

Saves Clean Air and Water - In most cases, making products from recycled materials creates less air pollution and water pollution than making products from virgin materials.

Saves Landfill Space - When the materials that you recycle go into new products, they don't go into landfills or incinerators, so landfill space is conserved.

Saves Money and Creates Jobs - The recycling process creates far more jobs than landfills or incinerators, and recycling can frequently be the least expensive waste management method for cities and towns.

Who is Garment Recovery Systems?

Garment Recovery Systems (GRS) was established in 1987 for the sole purpose of recycling disposable garments. GRS recycles Tyvek® for over 350 companies from the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. A partial list of companies currently recycling their Tyvek® with GRS follows this letter. Detailed references are available upon request.

Do you have to buy garments from GRS in order to recycle them?

Absolutely not! GRS recycles garments that your purchasing department buys from its current Vendor.

What type of garments does GRS accept?

GRS accepts Tyvek® coveralls, lab coats, hoods, boot covers, shoe covers, pants, and sleeves. As long as the bulk of the garments are Tyvek®, you can include other types of disposable garments so you do not have to sort or separate out other materials. Your employees do not have to think about what goes in the recycling bin and what does not. If the garment is disposable and non-hazardous, it can be thrown in the bin labeled "TYVEK® RECYCLING" .

Does GRS accept torn garments?

There is no need to inspect your garments before discarding them. If garments are slightly torn or have holes, we can usually repair them. Please remind the people wearing coveralls not to tear them off but instead unzip and step out of them. There is no problem if the garments come to us inside out but we do not put shredded garments through our process. Please do not shred, tear off, or write on your garments.

Do we need to sort or count garments?

There is no need to count, sort, or inspect the garments before shipping them to GRS. The garments are sorted and counted by GRS. Your corporation will receive a statement detailing how many garments were recycled each quarter.

What about hazardous garments?

GRS is not a registered hazardous waste site. GRS accepts garments that are currently being disposed of as general waste. All garments considered hazardous by the EPA or the Department of Transportation must still be disposed of as hazardous waste by a licensed hazardous waste hauler per federal and state regulations. GRS accepts autoclaved garments that are no longer considered hazardous. GRS may also accept garments that have been exposed to “SCREENED” blood.

What is the best way for us to collect garments?

GRS provides Tyvek® recycling labels to assist in the collection of the used disposable garments. These labels are to be placed on the collection containers in the degowning areas. When the containers are full, remove the trash liners of used garments and prepare them for shipping to Garment Recovery Systems. Since the garments compact quite nicely, it is helpful to poke holes in the plastic bags to allow air to escape and increase the number of garments per shipment. Please save up as much as possible before shipping. Sending one large shipment is far more cost effective than a series of smaller shipments. GRS recycles all wood pallets and cardboard boxes and encourages the reuse of your used boxes.

How do we ship the garments?

GRS will provide the dispatch number for our trucking company so you can ship collect. Please save at least one pallet load or approximately 200 pounds before shipping. Please send as many pallets per shipment in order to help keep our shipping costs down.

The Bill of Lading should reflect:

the product description number 196200
and be sent class 85

We will be happy to provide a sample bill of lading for your convenience.

Mark each shipment with YOUR COMPANY NAME, ACCOUNT NUMBER AND ADDRESS and ship to:

Garment Recovery Systems
2030 Summer St.
Hammond, IN. 46320

GRS provides a supply of pre-addressed labels so your shipping department will not have to bother with the inconvenience of labeling each shipment. It is helpful to have your return address on each pallet load.

What if we can not save enough to ship via common carrier?

No Problem! Ship FREE through our UPS GROUND program!

Tyvek® is a registered trademark of E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company.