Cisco

Recycling Branded Clothing with Copyright Infringement Issues

Challenge:

Cisco, a global technology leader, faced a challenge with a large batch of branded clothing that contained copyright infringements and could not be sold or distributed. The clothing, which included t-shirts, jumpers, required secure destruction to protect the company from legal risks and prevent unauthorized resale. Cisco needed a trusted partner to handle the secure destruction and recycling of these items while ensuring sustainability.

Solution:

GreenSphere collaborated with the distributor of Cisco to provide a secure and sustainable solution for the disposal of the infringing clothing. Our primary objective was to ensure that the items were securely destroyed, protecting Cisco from any potential legal issues or brand damage, while also recycling the materials to minimize environmental impact.

• Secure Destruction (for Copyright Infringement):
  Given the sensitivity of the situation, we prioritized the secure destruction of all clothing items to ensure that no branded or copyrighted material could be reused or resold. Cisco was provided with certificates of destruction to verify that all products had been fully and securely destroyed.
• Textile Recycling:
  After secure destruction, the clothing materials were sorted for recycling:
  • Fabric: The textiles, including cotton, polyester, and synthetic blends, were shredded and repurposed into fibres used in various applications such as insulation, industrial rags, and new textiles.
  • Zippers, Buttons, and Other Fasteners: Metal and plastic components like zippers and buttons were separated from the clothing and sent for recycling. Metals were refined for reuse in manufacturing, while plastics were granulated and repurposed.
• Environmental Compliance:
  We ensured that the entire process met environmental regulations, providing Cisco with a sustainable solution that aligned with their corporate responsibility goals. All materials were processed in accordance with industry standards for recycling and waste management.

Outcome:

Cisco successfully disposed of over 10,000 branded clothing items that posed a copyright infringement risk. GreenSphere ensured the secure destruction of all items, safeguarding Cisco’s brand and legal standing. By recycling the textiles and fasteners, we helped Cisco minimize the environmental impact of the disposal, with over 90% of the material repurposed for new uses.