IDEAS: Korean Air Upcycles Crew Uniforms to Create First Aid Kits
Key Points
- Korean Air has upcycled old crew uniforms into 500 first aid pouches for local causes.
- The initiative was supported by employee donations, with recipients including Seoul Gangseo Senior Welfare Center and Incheon Yongyu Elementary School.
- Korean Air has a history of upcycling, previously transforming retired aircraft materials into various items.
Summary
Korean Air has creatively repurposed old crew uniforms into 500 first aid pouches, benefiting local causes like Seoul Gangseo Senior Welfare Center and Incheon Yongyu Elementary School. Supported by employee donations, this initiative continues the airline's history of upcycling projects, which have included transforming retired aircraft materials into useful items. Similar efforts are being explored by other airlines, including Finnair, highlighting a broader industry trend towards sustainability.
Korean Air has donated 500 first aid pouches made from recycled crew uniforms to local causes.
The airline usually discards of crew uniforms when they reach the end of their life cycle, but under this new initiative, old pilot and cabin crew uniforms have been given a second lease of life having been upcycled into first aid pouches.
The Seoul Gangseo Senior Welfare Center and Incheon Yongyu Elementary School were the recipients of the kits, which included essential medications that were funded by donations of around KRW 5 million from the airline’s employees.
Korean Air has a history of embracing upcycling opportunities, having previously created name tags and golf ball markers from the materials of a retired Boeing 777, and reimagining retired cabin life vests into cosmetic pouches.
Korean Air is not the only airline exploring methods of repurposing old crew uniforms, with Finnair launching a new initiative earlier this month to upcycle old uniforms into composite furniture.
Photo Credit: Credit: Korean Air Korean Air
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