FREPI: Recyclability of our products
Coverguard contributes to the development of recycling channels for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in France, with a particular focus on High-Visibility PPE. Through the FREPI project, we collaborate with other industry stakeholders to explore technical and financial solutions for recycling these products, which are often complex and previously not recovered.
What is FREPI?
FREPI (Recycling Channel for High-Visibility PPE) is a collective project bringing together various industry players (peers, clients and downstream stakeholders) to explore recycling possibilities for High-Visibility PPE.
Led by ORÉE and financially supported by ADEME, the project aims to assess the technical feasibility and economic viability of setting up a dedicated recycling channel for High-Visibility Garments (HVG).*
Tests and analysis
Under FREPI supervision, laboratory tests will:
- Study different techniques to separate materials: reflective strips, snap buttons, zippers, markings, linings…
- Identify and characterize recycled materials and their reintegration potential
A white paper for the industry
The project will produce a freely accessible white paper including recommendations and guidelines for eco-designing High-Visibility Garments and facilitating their recyclability from the design stage.
Our commitments for the future
Following work initiated in 2023, the FREPI project is entering a new phase (FREPI 2), aiming to move from experimentation to a structured industry dynamic to accelerate the emergence of a recycling channel for High-Visibility Garments.
This phase aims in particular to:
- Structure and lead working groups across the value chain
- Strengthen communication on recycling challenges and best practices
- Deploy awareness actions via ORÉE and ITECH Lyon
- Develop a training module dedicated to textile PPE
The FREPI 2 collective is also opening its doors to new stakeholders (contractors, manufacturers, industrial players, pre-treatment operators, recyclers, etc.) to consolidate the initiative and promote the implementation of large-scale operational solutions.
*To date, there is no established recycling stream in France for this PPE: it represents a significant source of unutilized waste, often converted at best into Solid Recovered Fuel.