Circularity in Action – The British Airways x Bags of Ethics Uniform Upcycling Initiative

In an era where sustainability is not only a value but a business imperative, British Airways and Bags of Ethics (Supreme Creations) have forged a powerful partnership that exemplifies the potential of circular innovation.

Faced with the retirement of thousands of legacy uniforms, British Airways seized the opportunity to rethink waste, choosing not just to recycle, but to reimagine, as part of its BA Better World programme focused on sustainability and responsible innovation.

Together with Bags of Ethics, a global leader in sustainable, responsible textile production, the airline launched a pioneering upcycling initiative that turned redundant garments into functional, beautifully designed reusable products.

To date, the initiative has successfully upcycled over 16,000 retired uniforms, diverting more than 8 tonnes of textile waste from landfills.

This case study explores how the partnership addressed textile waste through innovative upcycling, empowered women, and delivered a scalable, measurable impact, positioning itself as a model of sustainable transformation within the aviation and textile sectors.