Subway is unveiling a fresh uniform line for its Sandwich Artists, crafted from upcycled plastic materials. This uniform launch complements Subway’s nationwide implementation of the upgraded “Fresh Forward” restaurant design concept. The new uniform collection includes a T-Shirt, polo shirt, half and full apron, cap, and bandana, all ingeniously fashioned from recycled plastic bottles.
Every piece of clothing has undergone meticulous design to guarantee both comfort and long-lasting wear, all the while preserving Subway’s recognizable branding and iconic color schemes. The collection encompasses the unmistakable green hue for Sandwich Artists’ T-shirts, while managers will sport a stylish black polo shirt design. Completing the new Subway look are two apron styles, along with the signature baseball cap and bandana, adding the final touches to the ensemble.
The fabric employed in crafting these garments is a specially engineered blend, incorporating recycled plastic bottles and BCI (Better Cotton Initiative) cotton for the T-shirts and polo shirts. This unique blend is not only the foundation for our fresh designs but also conveys the precise number of bottles utilized in the creation of each item. The plastic bottles undergo a collection process and are transformed into flakes, which are subsequently converted into fiber yarn. This yarn is then prepared for weaving into fabric, forming the basis for our sustainable garment production.
The baseball caps are crafted from the equivalent of three plastic bottles, while the bandana requires five bottles. In contrast, the half apron is produced using the material from eight plastic bottles, whereas the full apron utilizes the equivalent of 12 bottles. On the other hand, the new T-shirts and Polos feature a blend of BCI cotton and recycled polyester. The men’s polo shirts are fashioned from the material of seven plastic bottles, while the women’s shirts are created using six plastic bottles. As for the T-shirts, they are produced using eight plastic bottles’ worth of material.
Aligning with the brand’s dedication to fostering a more sustainable and resilient business model, these uniforms have been meticulously crafted for extended durability. In trials, a substantial 70% of Subway’s Franchisees and Sandwich Artists expressed high satisfaction with regard to comfort and longevity.
To complete the sustainability loop, Subway has partnered with textile recycling experts, Avena Group, to collect and manage the retired uniforms replaced during this transition phase. Avena Group will transform the textiles from these old uniforms into a new material, suitable for reuse in various sectors such as automotive and construction.
Furthermore, Subway is dedicated to contributing to charitable causes by donating any surplus old stock items to organizations involved in food and nutrition initiatives. For instance, 1,000 unused aprons from the previous uniform set will be supplied to Rethink Food for educational purposes in schools. These aprons will serve as grow mats for cultivating watercress, helping children learn about the growth of fresh fruits and vegetables.
The introduction of these fresh uniforms is an extension of the brand’s commitment to minimizing single-use plastic within its restaurant operations. In a significant milestone, by the close of 2022, Subway successfully eliminated more than 1.2 million kilograms of single-use plastic from its supply chain. Additionally, pilot programs testing reusable packaging are currently underway in restaurants located in France and Germany.
“As we continue this journey towards building a better Subway, it’s incredibly important that we look at all areas of our business where we can make a positive impact. The new uniforms, made from recycled plastic bottles, is what we believe are a first for a high street restaurant brand and reflect our ongoing commitment to improving how we do business. This is still only the beginning, and we hope to make further progress in the years ahead – stay tuned,” Louise Wardle, Vice President of Marketing EMEA at Subway.
The uniforms will be rolled out to Subway restaurants in the UK, Ireland and across Europe from May and throughout 2023.
