Sustainable packaging: SUBWAY shows off outfits made from chain's recycled packaging

-- Packaging Digest, 9/13/2010 11:52:08 AM

Chicago-based costume designer, Elsa Hiltner, created each design with recycled packaging used in SUBWAY restaurants.

One model wore a bodice created from a SUBWAY Lunch Box package, with floral detail made from a SUBWAY Cookie Bag. A looped skirt was made from SUBWAY Cookie Bags as well. Half of each Cookie Bag - a full 50 percent - is made from recycled materials while the lunch box is made with 10 percent recycled material and SFI (Sustainable Forestry Initiative) fibers. The SFI logo is proudly displayed on the lunch box.

The focus of the fashion show was to bring attention to the SUBWAY chain's on-going efforts to make the company and its restaurant operations more environmentally friendly.

Commenting on the fashions on display, Elizabeth Stewart, Marketing Director, who oversees the Subway chain's sustainability efforts, said "Subway continues to show that you can EAT FRESH, be sustainable and look great!"

Some of the chain's environmentally friendly efforts include the opening of eight certified eco-stores, with several more in various stages of development, that are designed with an emphasis on energy efficiency and water conservation. Since 2006, all new and remodeled restaurants have used low flow faucets, saving more than 78 million gallons of water annually.

At each restaurant, the chain uses napkins made with 100 percent recycled fiber with up to 49 percent post consumer content; towel and tissue products made with 100 percent recycled material and up to 75 percent post consumer content; and mops made from 100 percent recycled material (the mop contains recycled cotton from socks, t-shirts and recycled soda bottles and the handle is made from recycled plastic bottle caps).

Salad containers and their lids are made from recycled plastic Coca-Cola brand soda and water bottles with a redesign that makes them more efficient to pack and ship, ultimately reducing the amount of trucks on the road needed to deliver the product.

In 2009 alone, the SUBWAY chain's initiatives preserved 146,880 trees; cut carbon omissions by 123,751 metric tons; reduced 17.3 million truck miles; and saved 3 million gallons of diesel fuel, says the company.

SOURCE: SUBWAY Restaurants

.