Eco-Friendly Work Uniforms Made from PET Bottles... Police to Pilot 2,000 Sets

A police officer wearing eco-friendly workwear made from plastic recycled fibers. (Photo by National Police Agency)

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] On the 30th, the National Police Agency announced that it will conduct a pilot wearing of more than 2,000 eco-friendly police uniforms, including simple duty uniforms and daily convenience wear made from domestically produced recycled plastic fibers, targeting field police officers such as those in the 112 Situation Room.

This pilot wearing is a project promoted in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment to achieve '2050 Korea Carbon Neutrality.' Recycled fibers produced from discarded transparent PET bottles and other materials in Korea are upcycled into uniforms worn by police officers.

Approximately 60,000 recycled PET bottles (based on 500ml size) were used for the pilot uniforms. The police explained that 12 bottles were used per simple duty uniform top, and 38 bottles per winter daily convenience wear top. The materials used in the clothing passed the 'Safety Requirements for Harmful Substances in Children's Textile Products' test conducted by an accredited testing institution, proving their safety.

The pilot wearing targets a total of 1,269 people, including 112 Situation Room police officers, police unit members, new trainees, and conscripted police, and will be distributed sequentially until May. The National Police Agency plans to expand the introduction of eco-friendly clothing in line with domestic recycling technology development, including reviewing the use of recycled fibers in general police uniforms by collecting field opinions.

A National Police Agency official said, “We understand that among police forces worldwide, our police are the first to wear uniforms made from recycled PET bottles,” and added, “Since police uniforms have symbolic significance and a large social impact, we will take the lead in environmental protection by exemplary use of eco-friendly clothing made from domestically produced recycled fibers.”