Emirates recycles 88,000kg of inflight plastic into new dining products
Dubai airline highlights sustainability initiatives ahead of World Environment Day
DUBAI – Ahead of World Environment Day on June 5, Emirates has highlighted the impact of its closed-loop recycling programme, revealing that more than 88,000 kilograms of plastic from Economy Class inflight meal service items were repurposed into new onboard products over the past year.
First launched in June 2023, the initiative forms part of the airline’s broader environmental strategy and supports circular economy principles by transforming damaged and unserviceable inflight dining items into new serviceware used across its global network.
Closed-loop programme
Emirates has invested more than Dh50 million in transitioning to a closed-loop manufacturing model for inflight dining serviceware. Under the programme, damaged Economy Class trays, casseroles, snack dishes and bowls are collected after flights before being cleaned, inspected and processed at a specialist facility in Dubai.
The recovered materials are then transformed into new meal service items containing up to 25% recycled content. Once manufactured, the products are returned to Emirates Flight Catering and reintroduced onboard thousands of flights.
With millions of trays, bowls and dishes used annually across the airline’s worldwide operations, the initiative helps reduce plastic waste sent to landfill while lowering transport-related emissions through local recycling and manufacturing processes.
The programme is delivered in partnership with deSter FZE UAE, a specialist aviation serviceware provider recognised for its expertise in closed-loop manufacturing. deSter is a member of the CE100 network, which includes leading organisations focused on advancing the circular economy, and has received the Gold Sustainability Rating from Ecovadis, a globally recognised sustainability assessment provider.
The facility also incorporates a range of sustainable design features, including solar power generation, efficient water management systems and waste minimisation practices.
Nature-focused content
As part of its World Environment Day activities, Emirates is also marking the 100th birthday of renowned broadcaster and natural historian Sir David Attenborough.
Throughout June and July, Emirates’ ice entertainment system will feature 100 episodes from the Attenborough Collection. The BBC Earth programmes, narrated by Sir David, take viewers through some of the world’s most remarkable landscapes, wildlife habitats and ecosystems.
Sustainable products
Environmental considerations continue to shape products and services across the Emirates inflight experience.
The airline’s latest collection of children’s toys and bags includes products made with a minimum of 50% recycled content, including recycled post-consumer polyester. Children’s magazines and product tags are produced using paper sourced from responsibly managed forests where feasible, while unnecessary plastic wrapping has been removed from children’s bags and blankets to reduce single-use plastic consumption.
In First Class, plastic packaging previously used to wrap mattress toppers, duvets and blankets has been replaced with reusable bags made from recycled polyester material.
Headset packaging across Business Class, Premium Economy, Economy Class and Emirates’ children’s headphones is now manufactured using 100% recycled low-density polyethylene (LDPE).
The airline has also expanded the use of recycled materials within its premium cabin amenity kits. First and Business Class amenity bags feature fabrics containing recycled content, while selected accessories, including foldaway combs, brushes and mirror case covers, have been redesigned using recycled materials. Dental kit packaging is now produced from kraft paper.
Premium Economy and Economy Class reusable amenity kits, developed in partnership with United for Wildlife, spotlight some of the world’s most endangered species. The kits incorporate bio-based materials, including cactus-derived alternatives that reduce reliance on fossil-based plastics. Socks and eyeshades included in the kits are made from 100% recycled post-consumer polyester, while outer designs are printed using non-toxic soy-based inks. Accompanying story cards are produced from kraft paper sourced from responsibly managed forests.
Sustainability efforts extend to onboard comfort products as well. Premium Economy and Economy Class fleece blankets are made from recycled polyester fleece, with each blanket incorporating material equivalent to approximately 28 recycled plastic bottles.
Meanwhile, First and Business Class passengers receive loungewear, slippers and eye masks produced from lightweight modal fabric sourced from certified botanic fibres. The VOYA skincare products offered in premium cabins use organic seaweed sustainably harvested by hand from Ireland’s west coast.
Additional measures include replacing plastic straws with certified paper alternatives and introducing alternative packaging solutions across the onboard experience. Plastic carrier bags used for inflight duty-free purchases have been replaced with paper bags, while shower spa amenity packaging now incorporates stone paper.
Emirates also continues onboard recycling initiatives, including the segregation of glass and plastic bottles on flights arriving in Dubai where operationally feasible, supporting more effective sorting and recycling through Emirates Flight Catering and local waste management partners.
The airline’s sustainability efforts also extend to printed materials. First Class menus are produced using paper sourced from responsibly managed forests, while Business Class, Premium Economy and Economy Class menus have also transitioned to the same responsibly sourced paper.