Did You Know? URC Thailand’s New Uniforms Are Made from Recycled Plastic Bottles!

Universal Robina Corporation’s Thailand office has stepped up its sustainability efforts with the URGreen Upcycling Uniform Campaign. The regional subsidiary’s project promotes the recycling of used PET plastic bottles into uniforms, highlighting the importance of reducing carbon emissions and combating global warming.

Every shirt produced under the URGreen Upcycling Uniform Campaign saves 1.714 kg in carbon emissions. To source the materials needed for the URGreen uniforms – each polo shirt is crafted from 14 recycled 600ml PET water bottles – URC Thailand collected 21,000 plastic bottles between January and April 2024.

URC Thailand’s URGreen Upcycling Uniform Campaign aims to reduce CO₂ emissions by 1.714 kg per shirt. IMAGE URC Thailand  

By June, a total of 1,500 shirts were produced and distributed to employees. By making its new uniforms in a more sustainable manner, URC Thailand has been able to save the equivalent of 2,571 kg in CO₂ emissions so far.

Building a sense a community and camaraderie throughout the organization, URC Thailand employees actively participated in the design process, which ended with the design of Senior Employee Relations Supervisor Vichida Pengnum being selected. To celebrate diversity and creativity, a fashion show where employees proudly showcased their new uniforms was held.

URC's subsidiary in Thailand held a fashion show to unveil the new uniforms designed by Senior Employee Relations Supervisor Vichida Pengnum. IMAGE URC Thailand 

Looking ahead, URC Thailand is keen to continue this initiative to further contribute to the reduction of plastic waste and carbon emissions. It aims to produce an additional 4,800 shirts in the coming months, which will require 67,000 recycled plastic bottles.

Sustainable fashion resonates deeply at URC, both in its local and international arms. Last year, URC Flour had its own upcycling initiative, partnering with sustainability-driven Philippine brands AraPilak and Aecovas Apparel to produce eco-friendly clothing made from donated cotton sacks. Through the initiative, URC Flour achieved two goals: generously supporting these notable homegrown brands and significantly reducing waste from its operations.

For more information on URC, visit urc.com.ph