Vietnam Airlines 'turns' life jackets into handbags, giving them to passengers on sustainable flights

This is an activity of Vietnam Airlines, within the campaign to participate in the "Sustainable Flight Challenge" (SFC) launched by the SkyTeam airline alliance. In addition, passengers on this special flight are encouraged to bring their own water bottles to limit the use of paper cups, helping to reduce waste in the environment.

From old life jackets "saved"

The "Sustainable Flight Challenge" was initiated to encourage sustainable development initiatives in the aviation sector. Accordingly, in the second time participating in the challenge, the initiative to recycle unusable life jackets was proposed by Vietnam Airlines to respond to the goal of reducing waste and protecting the environment.

According to regulations, life jackets are regularly inspected. Jackets that do not meet safety regulations will be stored and overhauled every 5 years. In case they cannot be repaired, the jackets will be destroyed. This causes negative impacts on the living environment as the life jackets are all made from plastic-based materials.

This situation is part of the challenge that the aviation industry in general and Vietnam Airlines in particular have to face when setting sustainable development goals. To solve this problem, in 2019, Vietnam Airlines joined the Anti-Plastic Waste Alliance, committed and declared actions against plastic waste with businesses, associations, and social organizations in Vietnam. This commitment has been realized through many practical activities: collecting and re-issuing disposable tools that still ensure quality; switching to environmentally friendly materials, cutting 62.8 million plastic bags used each year for items on airplanes...

In keeping with that spirit, in addition to maintaining the implementation of the "Zero Waste" program to reduce waste and single-use plastic, Vietnam Airlines continues to innovate new solutions and initiatives. The airline has cooperated with social enterprise Limloop, determined to recycle hundreds of unusable life jackets into bags to give to passengers on Vietnam Airlines' sustainable flights.

…To special recycled bags

Not only does Vietnam Airlines express gratitude to passengers with meaningful gifts, it also plays a role in accompanying organizations to spread humanitarian activities; contributing to promoting unique and valuable handmade products.

Hundreds of life jackets that were supposed to be discarded now have a new "life cycle". They have been transformed into eye-catching bags that are both fashionable and highly practical in life. These special bags are crafted by the skillful hands of craftsmen with special circumstances working in Limloop. This is a social enterprise operating on the mission of sustainability, protecting the environment with green recycled products; at the same time creating jobs for people with disabilities.

Unlike the materials commonly found in recycled products such as fabric or nylon, life jackets are not easy to process. In the early stages of developing samples and trial sewing, due to not fully understanding the properties of the materials, the team encountered difficulties when the sewing needles kept breaking. However, the smooth coordination between the unit that understands the material of the jacket, Vietnam Airlines, and the dedication of Limloop craftsmen helped the bags gradually take shape, carrying the passion of people striving for the mission of sustainable development.

Hundreds of life jackets that no longer meet safety standards have been "reborn" into a new life, becoming highly applicable bags, helping to reduce a large amount of waste released into the environment.

Ms. Truong Thi Hong Nhung, Managing Director of Limloop shared about the meaningful cooperation with the National Airline: "Limloop feels very happy to be a partner of Vietnam Airlines in the Sustainable Flight Challenge campaign. I believe that this campaign will create a very strong inspiration for businesses to come up with more ideas together, joining hands to promote the green economy in Vietnam."

Mr. Dang Anh Tuan, Head of Communications Department of Vietnam Airlines, said that the initiative to recycle old life jackets is a practical activity within Vietnam Airlines' sustainable development strategy. "We are determined to carry out this activity to show that sustainable solutions and initiatives are limitless. At the same time, the activity of giving out recycled bags also demonstrates the airline's role in the common goal of the SkyTeam airline alliance; continuing to affirm its position as a pioneering airline in innovation, promoting sustainable development."

First launched in May 2022, the "Sustainable Flight Challenge" initiative sees 16 airlines, including Vietnam Airlines, working together to find new ways to reduce CO2 emissions and generate hundreds of innovative solutions to share across the alliance.

The second "Sustainable Flight Challenge" took place from May 15-28, 2023 with the participation of 22 airlines, including 15 airlines from the SkyTeam alliance, competing for 07 awards with 72 flights.

As a member of the SkyTeam airline alliance, Vietnam Airlines continues to participate in the 2023 Sustainable Flight Challenge with practical solutions to protect the environment; affirming its role and responsibility in the alliance as well as demonstrating its pioneering strategy towards sustainable development.

Source link: https://thanhnien.vn/vietnam-airlines-bien-ao-phao-thanh-tui-xach-tang-hanh-khach-tren-chuyen-bay-ben-vung-185230530100254333.htm