Yarra Trams x Assembled Threads

Turning everyday PPE into measurable sustainability outcomes

As part of a continued commitment to more sustainable infrastructure, Yarra Trams has partnered with Assembled Threads to deliver 2,000 Melbourne-made safety vests, showing how everyday procurement decisions can contribute to meaningful Infrastructure Sustainability (IS) Rating outcomes.

As a registered supplier with the Infrastructure Sustainability Council, Assembled Threads enables projects to align uniform procurement with key IS Rating credits across materials, waste, innovation, and social impact.

Turning 2,000 Vests into Measurable Impact

While uniforms are often a small component of major infrastructure projects, they can unlock multiple IS credit pathways when approached through a sustainability lens.

Here’s what 2,000 safety vests can represent:

• Recycled Materials (Mat-1)
  With fabrics incorporating recycled content (typically ~80–100% recycled polyester in high-vis materials), this order is estimated to utilise:
  → ~600–800 kg of recycled material, reducing reliance on virgin resources
• Waste Diversion & Circularity (Was-2 / Rso-4)
  Through end-of-life collection and recycling pathways:
  → Potential to divert ~500–700 kg of textile waste from landfill (based on avg. vest weight of 250–350g)
  → Supports closed-loop or downcycling outcomes aligned with IS waste credits
• Local Manufacturing Impact
  Made in Melbourne, reducing freight emissions compared to offshore production and supporting local industry participation—key contributors to sustainable procurement outcomes
• Innovation (Inn-1)
  Embedding circular uniform programs into infrastructure supply chains represents a shift from linear “buy-use-dispose” models to designed-for-reuse systems
• Social Value & Legacy (Leg-1)
  As a social enterprise, Assembled Threads contributes to inclusive employment pathways, delivering measurable social procurement outcomes alongside environmental benefits

Why This Matters at Scale

The IS Rating Scheme evaluates sustainability across a wide range of environmental, social, and economic indicators, meaning even operational items like PPE can contribute to verified, reportable project performance.

For Yarra Trams, these 2,000 vests represent more than compliance:

• Reduced material footprint through recycled inputs
• Tangible waste diversion from landfill
• Support for local, ethical manufacturing
• Contribution toward multiple IS Rating credit categories

A Simple Procurement Shift, A Broader Outcome

This partnership reflects a broader industry shift: sustainability is no longer limited to major design decisions, it’s embedded in every purchasing choice.

By working with Assembled Threads, organisations can transform everyday PPE into measurable ESG outcomes, helping meet IS Rating requirements while delivering real impact for people, communities, and the environment.

This partnership strengthens our local supply chain, supports inclusive job creation, and delivers high quality safety gear for our teams.

YARRA TRAMS