Sustainability: How Is United Airlines Upcycling Its Expired Life Jackets?

In an era when sustainability is more important than ever, United Airlines is making tremendous progress with an innovative program that transforms expired life jackets into attractive, practical bags. This effort diverts tons of trash from landfills, which complements the airline's overall commitment to sustainability. United Airlines' innovative strategy not only addresses the aviation industry's waste concerns but also sets a new benchmark for environmental responsibility. Airlines must replace life jackets onboard their aircraft every eight to ten years, per safety requirements. While these life vests may never have been used, they are still considered expired and would typically end up in landfills, adding to the enormous waste generated by the aviation industry. Recognizing the challenge, this Star Alliance member sought a solution that would not only keep these life jackets from becoming waste but also help their overall sustainability goals.United found the answer in collaboration with Bag to Life (B2L), a German upcycling company that turns discarded materials into high-quality products. B2L's expertise in creative upcycling and United Airlines' commitment to sustainability resulted in an exceptional collaboration that helps both the environment and the airline's environmentally-minded passengers. The process of transforming these life jackets into bags begins with a thorough disassembly. The bright orange fabric, known for its endurance, is precisely cut and cleaned before reusing. Zippers, buckles, and other life jacket components are also reused, ensuring that as much of the original material as possible is used in the final versions.<br/>