MANILA, Philippines — Dubai-based airline Emirates is taking significant strides towards reducing plastic waste by introducing a new closed-loop recycling initiative.

In collaboration with deSter FZE UAE, a leading provider of serviceware concepts to the aviation industry, Emirates aims to transform millions of plastic onboard items into fresh, ready-to-use meal service products.

As part of the initiative, plastic trays, bowls, snack dishes, and casserole dishes used onboard will be collected after flights and transported to a local facility in Dubai.

There, the items will undergo thorough washing and inspection to ensure they are free from damage.

Subsequently, the collected plastic will be ground down, reprocessed, and manufactured into new dishes, bowls, and trays.

Emirates’ commitment to reducing plastic waste aligns with the principles of a circular economy, focusing on reducing, reusing, and recycling.

By transitioning to a closed-loop system, the airline aims to eliminate the need for single-use plastic items and instead reuse materials that have reached their end of life.

The collaboration with deSter FZE UAE, a member of the CE100 network of leading circular economy companies, ensures expertise in closed-loop manufacturing.

The trays, casseroles, snack dishes, and bowls produced through this process may contain up to 25% reused material, or recyclate.

Over time, the proportion of recycled material is expected to increase further.

Emirates’ new recycled utensils are set to be introduced onboard flights starting from June 2023.

This milestone coincides with the celebration of United Nations’ World Environment Day on June 5 and reflects the global theme of #BeatPlasticPollution.

The airline has already undertaken various initiatives to reduce plastic waste.

By replacing plastic straws, inflight retail bags, and stirrers with paper and wooden alternatives, Emirates diverts over 150 million single-use plastic items from landfills annually.

Additionally, the blankets provided to Economy and Premium Economy Class passengers are manufactured from 28 recycled plastic bottles, saving a remarkable 88 million plastic bottles from ending up in landfills each year.

Emirates’ commitment to sustainability extends to their range of inflight toy bags, baby amenity kits, and plush toys, all made from recycled plastic bottles.

Furthermore, the airline utilizes hygiene covers for meal trays and plastic tumblers made from 80% recycled plastic (rPET).

Amenities in Economy and Premium Economy amenity kits are crafted from alternative materials such as kraft paper, rice paper, and recycled plastic, significantly reducing the consumption of virgin plastic.

Emirates’ cabin crew actively contribute to recycling efforts by segregating glass and plastic bottles for recycling in Dubai.

In 2022 alone, they diverted approximately 500,000 kilograms of plastic and glass waste from landfills.

With its closed-loop recycling initiative and ongoing sustainable practices, Emirates strives to make a substantial impact on reducing plastic waste in the aviation industry.

By embracing the principles of the circular economy, the airline sets a precedent for responsible consumption and encourages other organizations to follow suit in the global fight against plastic pollution.