Emirates has recycled more than 88,000 kilograms of plastic from Economy Class meal service items over the past year as part of a closed-loop recycling programme introduced in 2023.
The initiative, highlighted ahead of World Environment Day on June 5, converts damaged and unusable inflight service items such as trays, bowls and snack dishes into new products for use onboard.
Recycling programme
Emirates said it has invested more than Dhs50 million in shifting to a closed-loop manufacturing model for inflight dining serviceware.
Used meal service items are collected after flights, cleaned and processed at a specialist facility in Dubai. The recycled products contain up to 25% reused material before being returned to service across the airline’s network.
The programme is delivered in partnership with deSter FZE UAE and is designed to reduce plastic waste sent to landfill while supporting local recycling and manufacturing.
Onboard sustainability
The airline has also expanded the use of recycled and sustainable materials across several onboard products.
Children’s bags and toys now contain at least 50% recycled content, while First Class bedding packaging has been replaced with reusable bags made from recycled polyester. Headset packaging across multiple cabin classes is now made from 100% recycled low-density polyethylene.
Premium Economy and Economy Class fleece blankets are produced using recycled polyester, with each blanket containing material equivalent to around 28 recycled plastic bottles.
Additional measures
Emirates has also phased out plastic straws in favour of paper alternatives and replaced duty-free plastic carrier bags with paper bags.
The airline continues to recycle glass and plastic bottles from selected flights arriving in Dubai and has introduced responsibly sourced paper for menus across all cabin classes.
World Environment Day
As part of its World Environment Day activities, Emirates’ inflight entertainment system, ice, will feature 100 episodes from the David Attenborough Collection during June and July, marking the broadcaster’s 100th birthday and his contribution to nature and wildlife storytelling.
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
