Trusted by leading waste management and recycling companies across the UK, SMI ensure your people are protected and comfortable.
The Waste and Recycling industry is inherently hazardous, with operatives working on a daily basis with toxic, heavy, and potentially injurious materials and substances. As a result, Waste and Recycling teams are reliant upon effective, durable protective equipment and workwear which maximises dexterity, while minimising or eradicating potential risks.
Within SMI, our Research and Product Development division has worked consistently with the Waste and Recycling industry, collaborating with our customers to source innovative new materials and products, and design and manufacture outstanding protective gear.
Waste is considered 'hazardous' under environmental legislation when it contains substances or has properties that might make it harmful to human health or the environment.
It’s crucial for such waste to be disposed of safely and correctly, and that the operatives doing such a job have the very best protection available.
Healthcare waste covers a range of different hazardous and non-hazardous waste types, including general, infectious, hazardous and even radioactive waste. These waste types need specialist management and disposal as they could harm those they come into contact with.
We offer a range of useful supplies to dispose of healthcare waste, such as sharps disposal bins and disposable gloves.
The water industry is essential to proving homes with fresh, clean water to the 67M people currently living in the UK. Wastewater is another integral part of this industry, as water treatment facilities manage the removal of contaminants to ensure it’s safe return into the environment, avoiding pollution and harming the UK’s eco-system.
Protecting workers from harmful chemicals and stopping potentially harmful micro-organisms from entering their system is extremely important in preventing injuries and illness. With roles ranging from engineers to process technicians, safety workwear, PPE and welfare products are essential to keeping employees guarded against these hazards.
Depending on the nature of the source material, there are many methods of sorting and processing waste that range from labour intensive hand picking operations to mechanised processes.
Sorting and processing waste streams can involve all sorts of hazards, such as injuries to the hands from sharp objects. For this reason, high-quality PPE is an absolute must to protect operatives as they carry out their duties.
Waste to energy (WtE) is the process of generating energy in the form of electricity and/or heat from non-hazardous waste which is otherwise destined for landfills.
Modern plants are clean and safe (long gone are the incineration methods of decades past), however, PPE still plays an important role in keeping workers protected.
Resource recovery is the activity of separating materials from waste that can be recycled into new products or used as an energy alternative to fossil fuels. The goal is to divert as much waste from landfills as possible.
Due to the varied nature of materials that can be recovered and recycled (such as plastics, wood, oil, glass, aggregates, metal, and more), operatives in this industry need to stay protected with robust PPE.
From clothing and PPE through to consumables and tools, SMI has been protecting the Waste and Recycling sector for over 20 years.
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As a member of the British Safety Industry Federation (BSIF) and their Registered Safety Supplier Scheme, we've signed a binding declaration that the safety equipment we supply meets appropriate standards, fully complies with the PPE regulations, and is CE/UKCA marked. This provides our commitment to going beyond the basic requirements of product testing.
We also employ dedicated staff to manage our accreditations, ensuring our compliance with these standards is carried out and maintained throughout our organisation.
Partnering with SMI gives you and your team access to one of the most advanced PPE and workwear management systems in the industry. The system is intuitive, user-friendly and specifically designed according to the needs and feedback of our customers.
Features include order approval processes, reporting, management capabilities, wearer packs, favourite products, multiple orders per basket, and more!
Discuss all things workwear, PPE, janitorial, and safety supplies with Giles Pilsgrove, our Waste & Environmental sector lead.
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Don’t scramble at the last minute – make sure you get your orders in on time!
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It’s certainly been a busy but incredible start to 2025 here at SMI. We’ve seen new faces join the team, product innovations, alongside announcing a new acquisition!
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SMI, a leading single source supplier to Britain's workforce, is pleased to announce the acquisition of Contego, a well-established stockist, supplier, and distributor of Protective Workwear and Equipment.
