easyJet To Make Uniforms From Recycled Plastic Bottles

Once infamous for its bright orange outfits and ‘I’m an easy (jet) crew member’ polo shirts, over the years its fair to say that easyJet has certainly smartened up its look.

easyJet have gone from bright orange gilets and T-shirts….

Now, as the aviation industry is forced to face up to a more sustainable future the airline has unveiled a new uniform for its Cabin and Flight Crews made from recycled plastic bottles.

Created by Norther Irish apparel designers Tailored Image, each uniform is made from approximately 45 recycled plastic bottles.

The unique high-tech fabric is produced with a yarn made of 100% recycled plastic bottles. It has also been created using renewable energy sources, giving the uniform a 75% lower carbon footprint than traditional polyester.

The roll-out of the uniform will potentially prevent 2.7 million plastic bottles from ending up in landfill or our oceans over five years. The move is part of easyJet’s commitment to mitigate waste and reduce its carbon footprint.

Trialled by Pilots and Cabin Crew last year, the new material is more abrasion resistant and provides more stretch than the old uniform. This not only adds more comfort for the wearer, but will also make each piece longer lasting reducing the need for more uniform items to be produced in the long term.

each new easyJet uniform will be created from around 45 recycled plastic bottles (Photo: easyJet)

Tina Milton, Director of Cabin Services at easyJet, 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.”

She added: “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.”

Check out the video below looking at how easyJet is leading the way with sustainable aviation…