Emirates recycles in-flight plastic
On the occasion of World Environment Day on 5 June, Emirates is unveiling the results of its closed-loop recycling programme, which was launched in June 2023 to reduce the environmental impact of items used on board aircraft. In the last year, the airline has recovered more than 88,000 kilograms of plastic from the Economy Class meal service, transforming it into new products destined for the travel experience again.
The project is based on a circular economy model applied to on-board catering. Damaged or no longer usable trays, plates, bowls and baking dishes are collected after the flights, cleaned, checked and sent to a specialized factory in Dubai. Here, plastic is processed and transformed into new items for meal service, made with up to 25% recycled material.
The new products then fall within the Emirates Flight Catering supply chain and are reintroduced on board the airline's flights . For passengers, this means travelling with items designed to reduce waste without changing the quality of service. For Emirates, the programme makes it possible to limit plastic destined for landfills and to contain transport-related emissions, thanks to recycling and production processes carried out locally in Dubai.
To support the initiative, Emirates has invested more than 50 million dirhams in the development of a circular production system for in-flight catering items. The program is carried out in collaboration with deSter FZE UAE, a company specialized in the supply of products for in-flight service and closed-loop production processes. deSter's plant also integrates sustainability-oriented solutions, including the use of solar energy, efficient water management systems and practices aimed at reducing waste. The company is part of the CE100 network, dedicated to the circular economy, and has obtained the EcoVadis Gold certification for ESG performance.
The recycling programme is part of a wider environmental strategy that involves different aspects of the Emirates in-flight experience . The company has progressively introduced recycled materials, alternatives to single-use plastics , and more sustainable packaging solutions in many areas of passenger service. Initiatives already in place include headphone packaging made from recycled polyethylene, reusable recycled polyester laundry bags for First Class, Premium Economy and Economy Class fleece blankets made from recycled material, and courtesy kit pouches made from more sustainable materials.
Even the products dedicated to children have been redesigned from an environmental point of view. Emirates bags and soft toys are made from at least 50% recycled materials, while unnecessary plastic packaging has been eliminated where possible.
For Premium Economy and Economy Class passengers, the reusable pouches in the amenity kits have been developed in collaboration with United for Wildlife and use bio-based materials, including cactus-based alternatives. Socks and eye masks included in the kits are made from post-consumer recycled polyester.
The company has also replaced plastic straws with certified paper alternatives, introduced paper bags for duty-free purchases on board and started the separate collection of glass and plastic bottles on flights arriving in Dubai, where operationally possible.
On the occasion of the environmental anniversary, Emirates also celebrates nature through the ice in-flight entertainment system. Throughout June and July, passengers will be able to access 100 episodes of the Attenborough Collection, a selection of BBC Earth documentaries narrated by Sir David Attenborough, proposed to celebrate his 100th birthday and his contribution to the popularization of the natural world.
