easyJet has introduced a new uniform program for pilots and cabin crew members made from recycled plastic bottles. With 45 bottles used in each uniform, the company will prevent 2.7 million plastic bottles from entering landfills or oceans over five years.
On Monday (August 9, 2021), easyJet announced the launch of a new uniform program made from recycled plastic bottles. Uniforms for pilots and cabin crew members will include approximately 45 bottles each, preventing 2.7 million plastic bottles from entering a landfill or oceans over the five-year uniform contract. The high-tech fabric is produced using renewable energy and has a 75 percent lower carbon footprint than polyester. The new uniforms are manufactured by Northern Ireland-based Tailored Image and will be introduced to cabin crew this month.
In Monday’s announcement, easyJet’s Director of Cabin Services, Tina Milton, said,
“Climate change is an issue for all of us, and at easyJet, we are looking at all parts of our operation to see where we can reduce carbon emissions and reduce waste. We are excited to be debuting this new pilot and cabin crew uniform made from recycled plastic bottles and to introduce it for our pilots and cabin crew colleagues. We know that sustainability is an important issue for them and also for our customers.
“It is a priority for us to continue work on reducing our carbon footprint in the short term, coupled with long-term work to support the development of new technology, including zero-emission planes which aspire to reduce the carbon footprint of aviation radically. We continue to work with innovative technology partners Wright Electric and Airbus. Each of them has set out its ambitious timetables for bringing zero-emission aircraft into commercial service to become a reality. People have a choice in how they travel, and if people choose to fly with us, we want to be one of the best choices they can make.”
Also commenting on the uniform collaboration, Tailored Image’s Managing Director, Bernard Birt, said,
“Our role as a bespoke uniform and corporate wear provider is to deliver innovative solutions for our clients, built around comfort and practicality for their wearers. The additional challenge with the easyJet project was to meet their exceptionally high standards in reducing environmental impact. By combining the expertise of our design and garment technology teams, we developed a collaborative approach with a mill that is leading the way in the development of sustainable fabrics. We were excited from the outset to be involved in this project and are delighted that the success of the new EasyJet wardrobe demonstrates the result of our award-winning customer-focused approach and our ability to meet even the most exacting briefs.”
The new fabric was trialed in the cabin and flights deck environments last year, and compared to the non-recycled alternative was more abrasion-resistant, provided more elasticity and has a four-way stretch, as well an improved fit for enhanced comfort and durability. In addition to the new recycled fabric, all clothing-related packaging has been replaced with recyclable and biodegradable materials.
Tailored Image is a family-owned and operated business that designs, manufactures and distributes staff uniforms. Established over 20 years ago, the company’s business model is based on sustainability, innovation and service excellence, all supported by its wholly-owned UK-based manufacturing unit. Tailored Images serves customers across many sectors including travel and transport, retail, blue light services, hospitality and financial services.
easyJet carries nearly 100 million passengers annually on around 1,000 routes to over 150 airports in 35 countries. The airline has a fleet of over 300 aircraft and over 300 million Europeans live within an hour’s drive of an airport served by easyJet. The 25 plus year old low-cost carrier is dedicated to innovation and leads the industry in digital, web, engineering and operational efficiencies. easyJet was named “Britain’s Most Admired Company” in the transport sector for 2020, based on the longest running annual corporate reputation study in the UK.
Source: easyJet