Virgin Atlantic is working with footwear and accessories company Worn Again on an innovative new project – which will see the airline recycling aircraft seat covers to create desirable new fashion accessories.  The collaboration has contributed to Worn Again developing a range of unique bags by recycling disused materials such as car seat belts, bicycle tyres and aircraft seat covers. The Worn Again Virgin range, which includes the ‘Ollie’ wash bag, the ‘Sherman’ male messenger bag, ‘Lydia’ and ‘Romero’ ladies handbags are available to buy from 1 September 2008.  The bags include an ‘Ingredients’ label which lists the all the materials that make up the bags  – such as Virgin Atlantic seat covers, car safety belts, Glastonbury tents and bicycle tyres. Worn Again Virgin bags will be available at Terra Plana stores around the world and on the Worn Again website (www.wornagain.co.uk).  The bags will also be available in John Lewis stores as well as stores in Romania, Israel and The Philippines. 

Lysette Gauna, Creative Director for Virgin Atlantic, commented: "Virgin Atlantic is committed to taking practical steps to make its business as sustainable as possible.  From investing in new technologies, to lobbying the aircraft manufacturers, through to championing new ideas - we believe that actions speak louder than words.  This is a fun and creative way to recycle our waste and we are sure these fabulous limited edition bags will be very popular as well as giving people the chance to own a little piece of Virgin Atlantic history.”

Cyndi Rhoades, Director, Worn Again, commented: “We’re pleased to be partnering with such a pioneering global brand as Virgin Atlantic at a time when environmental issues are at the top of corporate agendas.  For us, it is a great opportunity to offer a design-led and innovative solution to waste, with the end product being the ultimate ‘eco it bag’.”

Waste reduction is a big focus for Virgin Atlantic.  The airline has successfully reduced the waste it produces in its offices and ground operations significantly and continues to work hard to reduce the waste its produces in the air.  The airline has set itself a very ambitious target to reduce the waste it sends to landfill from its aircraft by 50% by 2012. 

A total of 2000 limited edition bags has been produced with materials from approximately 1000 seats.  The materials were donated by Virgin Atlantic to Worn Again following the refit of its economy cabin.

About Worn Again
WORN AGAIN is a collaboration between sustainable designer shoe company TERRA PLANA (Observer Ethical Fashion Product of the Year 2007 and Drapers Award for Ethical Footwear Retailer of the Year 2008) and ANTI-APATHY, a non-profit social and environmental awareness organization. Launched in 2005, WORN AGAIN has developed a successful line of shoes and bags from a diverse range of materials from discarded parachutes, fireman’s trousers, tweed coats and seat belts.

WORN AGAIN continues to receive massive interest on a global scale, and was voted ‘NUMBER ONE ECO FASHION BRAND’ by The Independent Newspaper. A percentage from every WORN AGAIN bag sold goes to support ANTI-APATHY’s innovative public outreach work, which aims to inspire and engage a wider audience in social and environmental issues and 18 pence from the sale of every WORN AGAIN product goes to CLIMATE CARE to offset carbon emissions from the manufacture and transport of the shoes.

WORN AGAIN VIRGIN bags are all hand made in a family run workshop in Portugal.

Source: Virgin Atlantic
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