Tailored Image has partnered with easyJet in a pioneering move which will see the airline’s cabin crew and pilot uniforms each made from around 45 recycled plastic bottles – part of the airline’s commitment to mitigate waste and search for innovative change beyond carbon reduction.
This progressive new uniform range, which was adapted to the airline’s current style, was formed by Tailored Image following intense collaboration with a mill specialising in innovative techniques, and was introduced into cabin crew circulation last month. Over the course of the five-year uniform contract, this move will prevent 2,700,000 plastic bottles from ending up in land fill or in oceans.
Featuring unique high-tech material, this new uniform range was subject to extensive wearer trials, facilitated by Tailored Image, for suitability in the cabin and flight deck environments. Compared with the non-recycled alternative, the trial found the uniform to be more abrasion-resistant. The fabric also provides even more elasticity, a four-way stretch, improving fit and freedom of movement for enhanced comfort and durability. 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, thus further achieving sustainability in practice.
Beyond the new fabric, plastic has also been replaced in all clothing-related packaging in favour of recyclable and biodegradable materials: replacing plastic collar strays 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.
Bernard Birt, Managing Director of Tailored Image, said:
“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.
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.”
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. 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.”
From its first flight over 25 years ago, easyJet has been focused on being as carbon efficient as possible to reduce carbon emissions. In 2019, the airline became the world’s first major airline to operate carbon neutral flights across its whole network by offsetting the carbon emissions from the fuel used for all of its flights. Carbon offsetting is only an interim measure. New technologies are still being developed, so the airline will continue to support innovative technology, working with others across the industry to reinvent and de-carbonise aviation over the long term.
Tailored Image is honoured to play a major part in this carbon reduction drive and to help, through innovative solutions, to improve our environment on such a large scale. The company is focused on sustainability and this range of recycled suiting is one of an array of environmental practices the company undertakes. Find out more here.
