ABOUT US

Every year, thousands of military uniforms are retired due to damage, design updates, or end of service life. Many can’t be resold and risk ending up in waste streams, contributing to the 711,000 tonnes of post-consumer textiles discarded each year in the UK (WRAP, Textiles Pact).

But each garment carries marks of service - telling stories of the people who wore them, and of the heritage and history of our armed forces. Something that we shouldn’t let go to waste.

Through the innovation of Ramco, the creativity of UK fashion students, and the dedication of veterans’ charities, we’re transforming thousands of ex-military garments into something extraordinary; sustainable, contemporary fashion with purpose.

But this is about more than just tackling textile waste. The impact of Operation Upcycle will be wide-ranging, creating opportunities for education and employment in UK-based textile design and manufacturing that will contribute to the circular economy.

Watch our OpUp company video below to see where it all happens and why:

WHY OPERATION UPCYCLE?

A young woman with red hair and pink tips working on a sewing machine in a classroom or workshop, with large windows and trees outside, and another person in the background also working at a sewing station.

Group of women gathered around a table, examining something, in a room with medical or laboratory equipment, including a mannequin head and a fire exit sign.

OUR FOCUS

HOW WE’RE MAKING AN IMPACT?

This isn’t just about upcycling. It’s a bridge between the past and the future – between military heritage and modern, ethical fashion. We’re providing opportunities to educate and empower the next generation of designers, creating meaningful employment for veterans and supporting on their journey to recovery, and helping people in the prison system develop skills that aid their reintegration to society.

Opportunities for Students

The UK fashion and textiles industry faces growing pressure to adopt sustainable practices by 2030. By embedding Operation Upcycle into the curriculum, we’re helping students develop professionally and enhancing their career prospects after university.

Engagement with Prisoners

Supporting prisoners in their reintegration into society benefits everyone, starting with access to suitable housing and employment upon release. Working with the prison service, we’ll create employment and training opportunities in textile recycling and production - helping people build skills and stability for life beyond prison.

Support for Veterans

For many veterans, finding stable housing, managing mental health, and achieving financial security are ongoing challenges. We’re offering meaningful work that builds skills, purpose, and community to support veterans on their journey to recovery.

A woman with long brown hair takes a selfie in a mirror, showing her smiling face. Several people, including a girl with brown hair and a tan jacket, are in the room with her.

A smiling middle-aged man with gray hair and light skin, wearing a black jacket, against a bright orange background.

A smiling man with gray hair wearing a black jacket against a light green background.

Neil Sanderson | Managing Director of Ramco and OpUp Project Sponsor

OUR PEOPLE

A smiling woman with shoulder-length dark hair, wearing hoop earrings and a black zip-up jacket, against a solid orange background.

Portrait of a smiling woman with shoulder-length brown hair, wearing hoop earrings and a black jacket, against a light green background.

Harriet Sanderson | Project Lead for OpUp

A smiling man with a beard and bald head, wearing a black jacket, against an orange background.

Elliott Griffen | Head of Sales at Ramco and OpUp Project Sponsor

A young man with short dark hair, light skin, wearing a black zip-up jacket over a black collared shirt, smiling slightly against an orange background.

A young man with short brown hair, fair skin, and blue eyes wearing a black jacket and black shirt, smiling against a light green background.

Liam Cameron | Marketing Supervisor at Ramco and OpUp

A smiling man with short brown hair and a light beard, wearing a patterned shirt and a dark sweater, against an orange background.

A smiling middle-aged man with short brown hair, wearing a patterned button-up shirt and a dark sweater, against a light green background.

Matt Wheeler | Marketing Consultant from Firestarter Solutions

A woman with blonde hair wearing glasses and a beige top, smiling against an orange background.

A woman with blonde hair, glasses, and a beige top, smiling against a green background.

Kate Griffiths | Project Consultant from Firestarter Solutions

OUR PEOPLE

A smiling middle-aged man with gray hair, wearing a black jacket, against a light green background.

Neil Sanderson | Managing Director of Ramco and OpUp Project Sponsor

A woman with shoulder-length brown hair, wearing hoop earrings and a black jacket, smiling against a light green background.

A smiling man with a bald head and a beard, wearing a black jacket, against a light green background.

Harriet Sanderson | Project Lead for OpUp

Elliott Griffen | Head of Sales at Ramco and OpUp Project Sponsor

Portrait of a young man with short brown hair, wearing a black zip-up jacket and black shirt, smiling slightly against a light green background.

Liam Cameron | Marketing Supervisor at Ramco and OpUp

Smiling middle-aged man with short brown hair, wearing a patterned collared shirt and a navy sweater, against a light green background.

Matt Wheeler | Marketing Consultant from Firestarter Solutions

Close-up of a woman with blonde hair, wearing black-rimmed glasses, and smiling. She is dressed in a beige blazer, with a light green background.

Kate Griffiths | Project Consultant from Firestarter Solutions

GET INVOLVED

We’re at the beginning of an exciting journey to create a sustainable model for upcycling military garments, and we’d love your support to help make it happen.

Whether you can offer retail opportunities, help with production capacity, provide funding or resources, support marketing and PR activity, or open doors to influential networks, your involvement could make a real difference.

If you share our passion for sustainability, creativity, and supporting the veteran community, we’d like to hear from you.