Norwegian Air Upcycles Old Uniforms into a Collection of Sustainable Products

Norwegian is launching a new sustainability project with its partner, UNICEF Norway, to help children in need around the world while providing employment for immigrant women and reducing the company’s environmental impact. The pilot program, Still Travelling with Norwegian, is upcycling the company’s phased out uniforms into a collection of products to be sold onboard selected flights to help fight against textile waste.

Unique and Handmade Products
“Now that we are replacing some of our uniforms, it’s important that we look into sustainable ways to reuse the materials. We have partnered with a social enterprise based in Norway called Sisters in Business, which creates jobs for immigrant women through local textile production,” said Cecilie Nybø Carlsen, Norwegian’s VP Product Manager. 

The project will kick off with two items that have been made from Norwegian’s long-haul uniforms: A classy, chequered toiletry bag and a beautiful silk bag; both unique and handmade products. All the profit from the sale of these products will go towards supporting UNICEF’s work for children. 

A Crucial Fight Against Textile Waste
“If the project is a success, we can save thousands of items from being wasted. We all have a responsibility to find solutions that minimize the environmental impact from our textile use,” said Norwegian’s Head of Sustainability, Anders Fagernæs. 

“With this project, Norwegian, UNICEF and Sisters in Business are helping to provide a sustainable solution to these problems – and by buying these products onboard, passengers will also be doing something positive for the environment, as well as helping children in need and contributing to job creation,” Fagernæs continues.

Supporting Several UN Sustainable Development Goals
“This project is really exciting,” said Camilla Viken, Secretary General of UNICEF Norway. “Yes, it will support UNICEF’s work around the world. And it will also support many of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals; Fighting poverty, responsible consumption and production, gender equality, collaboration and climate change, of which all of them affect children,” she continued. 

Sisters in Business founder Sandra Tollefsen explains that getting involved with projects like this helps immigrant women, who can “feel invisible” without a job, to play a positive role in society. “It’s a transformation in these women’s lives – to have self-respect for themselves and for their families,” said Tollefsen. “They have friends here, they are not lonely anymore, they feel independent. It’s much, much more than a job.”