easyJet introduces new cabin crew and pilot uniforms made from recycled PLASTIC

11 / 08 / 2021

By The Daily Mail - -

easyJet is introducing new uniforms for its cabin crew and pilots that are made from recycled plastic, with 45 bottles going into each outfit, the firm said.

Up to half a million bottles will be re-used each year as part of the change to the new uniform, which is made from a high-tech material created using renewable energy.

easyJet says it will replace all uniforms over a five-year contract, potentially preventing 2.7 million plastic bottles from going into landfill or the ocean.

The new uniforms have been developed by Northern-Ireland based Tailored Image, and will be introduced into cabin crew circulation this month.

The material used to create the uniforms has a 75 per cent lower carbon footprint than the polyester currently used to make the outfits worn by airline staff.

While easyJet offsets the carbon emitted from their flights and takes measures to reduce emissions, it has come under fire from Greenpeace and other campaigners for operating short haul domestic flights with rail alternatives.

The new fabric, adapted to the airline’s current style, was first trialled last year for suitability in the cabin and flight deck environments, said Tailored Image.

Compared to the non-recycled alternative, it is more abrasion-resistant, and provides more elasticity with better fit and freedom of movement for the crew.

This development can lead to it being long-lasting for the wearer, reducing the need for more uniform items to be produced in the long term, the firm said.

Beyond the new fabric, plastic has also been replaced in the packaging and other related items used to send out the uniform to crew and pilots.

Plastic collar strays will be replaced with recyclable cardboard ones, plastic shirt clips with metal shirt clips, non-recyclable white coated card with recyclable cardboard card and polypropylene outer shirt covers with biodegradable shirt covers.

easyJet says this is an expansion of its existing efforts to reduce onboard plastic, including reducing the number of single-use plastic items on its flights.

The airline has already replaced many items with more sustainable alternatives, such as introducing a small plant-based bowl as a teabag holder.

The firm says it has removed over 27 million individual items of plastic from inflight retail operation in Financial Year 2020, and has never offered plastic straws.

It also offers a 50p discount on hot drinks for customers bringing a reusable cup.

Tina Milton, Director of Cabin Services at easyJet, said climate change is an issue fore everyone, and easyJet are doing what they can to reduce emissions and 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,’ Milton said, adding ‘sustainability is an important issue.’

‘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.