V12 Footwear Blog

Best Boots for Waste Collectors

Written by Matthew Roberts | 16/02/24 11:13

When it comes to demanding working conditions, Waste and Recycling Collection is near the top of the list. 

Working in all weathers, walking for miles on asphalt and concrete, plus negotiating heavy falling items and slip risks means safety boots for bin men and women have to be built to endure the outdoors. 

If you’re in charge of buying PPE, in this blog we’ll show you how offering V12 work boots will keep your Waste Management and Refuse Collection customers comfortable and safe even in the harshest environments, as well as grow your credibility as a trusted safety supplier.

So what do safety boots need to have to perform long-term for wearers in this industry? 

WATER-DISPERSING TREAD 

In this line of work, slip hazards are everywhere. In fact, according to the HSE, 32% of non-fatal accidents in Waste and Recycling are on average slip related. To reduce slip accidents, the best boots for Refuse Collectors should have soles specifically designed to combat contaminated surfaces. 

Spotlight on Caiman 

The Caiman is a best selling boot largely due to the way it combats water. As well as being waterproof, like many styles in the V12 range, it features the IGSTM, a sole designed with a hexagonal water-dispersing tread, which cuts through water and channels it away to maintain outstanding grip. Along with its: 

  • Trip-reducing angled heel 
  • Non-slip PU grip 

The IGSTM is a revolution in sole design, and makes the Caiman a great example of a safety boot built for outdoor slip-hazards. Learn more about this best selling boot in the video below.

 

 

WATERPROOF AND BREATHABLE CONSTRUCTION 

A waterproof work boot is essential for Refuse Collectors. But while you may be offering boots that keep the water out, are they designed to keep the temperature down too? 

Spotlight on Lynx 

The V2140 and True Women’s Fit V2145 Lynx is built with the industry-leading V-DriTM temperature-regulating lining, featuring: 

  • Microscopic cooling holes 
  • Inside-boot climate control 
  • Advanced durable membrane material 

This pioneering membrane means that water stays out of the boot, but heat and perspiration are also able to escape, leaving teams to focus on the job with dry and cool feet.  

Find out more about V-DriTM on the V12 Innovations page here 

Added protection 

Lynx’s water protection doesn’t stop at the lining. This style has been designed with a bellows tongue, which gives added protection to the wearer from water entry, as the extended tongue is attached to the sides of the upper, so even water entering above the membrane is repelled. 

DURABILITY AND STRENGTH 

Impact hazards in this sector can come from all directions. From: 

  • Above - due to falling heavy items such as bins and machinery 
  • Below - due to sharp items such as glass and nails 
  • The side - due to swinging objects and mechanical lifting equipment 

And when you factor in that bin men and women will kick and scuff rough terrain through the course of their route, it’s plain to see that only safety boots with high-quality materials and components will stand up to these teams’ requirements. 

Spotlight on Defender 

Defender is packed from heel to toe with protection and armed for any outdoor environment. With its:

  • Shock-absorbing ankle protection 
  • Anti-abrasion heel and toe scuff cap 
  • Strong fibreglass toecap and midsole 

It’s a boot well and truly built for the outdoors. Learn more about this award-winning style below:

 

 

LONG-LASTING COMFORT 

Work boots for working on concrete need more than just a toecap and midsole. According to the NHS, those who work on hard surfaces for long hours are more likely to develop the painful and debilitating condition Plantar Fasciitis.

So, if your safety footwear offering is going to meet the needs of teams who will take 13,000 steps per day, comfort must be built in.  

Spotlight on Groundworker  

Part of the reason V12’s Groundworker safety wellington has become the boot of choice for Waste and Recycling teams around the UK is that it’s as comfortable as it is tough. It features: 

  • Lighter-than-steel fibreglass midsole  
  • Lighter-than-rubber neoprene upper material 
  • A thermal lining resistant to temperatures down to –40° 

And with its ankle protection and waterproof construction, the Groundworker is the kind of boot your customers will want for their Waste and Recycling teams: top-level innovation to provide comfort and protection, no matter the weather or conditions. 

SATISFIED WEARERS MEAN SATISFIED CUSTOMERS 

Customer satisfaction comes from providing boots with the right specification. This way, teams are not only kept safe, but their increased comfort levels will lead to a rise in well-being, productivity and performance. 

Furthermore, Waste Management teams work on tight timeframes and budgets, and absolutely don’t want to spend time dealing with staff being out of action due to uncomfortable, broken or poorly-performing footwear. So, if you can provide them with work boots like the styles mentioned above, it will build your reputation as a trusted supplier of high-performing products. 

Win-win. 

And when it comes to customer satisfaction, choosing V12 Footwear as your supplier means you’ll be in the best possible position. With our: 

  • Next-day delivery 
  • Large UK stock holding 
  • 200-day guarantee 

You’ll have high-performing safety boots available quickly, in abundance and made to last. 

HAVE YOU USED THE V12 BOOT FINDER? 

The V12 Boot Finder is your online tool to help you find the right safety footwear for the job. Simply click below, add in the details of your safety requirements, and you'll get our instant and expert safety boot recommendations.

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