As part of the events for World Environment Day (5th June), Emirates has shared some details and results from its closed-loop recycling programme as it adopts circular economy principles.
Since the launch of the programme in June 2023, Emirates has invested more than AED 50 million (US$13.6 million) in transitioning to a closed-loop manufacturing model for its millions of items of inflight dining serviceware.
Damaged and unserviceable trays, casserole dishess, snack dishes and bowls from economy-class cabins are collected after flights, cleaned, inspected and processed at a specialist facility in Dubai, where they are recreated into new meal service items containing up to 25% recycled material.
These products are then returned to Emirates Flight Catering and reintroduced into service onboard thousands of flights, reducing plastic waste sent to landfill while lowering transport emissions through local recycling and manufacturing.
The programme is delivered in partnership with deSter FZE UAE, a supplier of aviation serviceware. deSter is a member of the CE100 network, which includes some of the world’s leading circular economy organisations. The facility also incorporates sustainable design principles, including solar power, efficient water management, and waste minimisation practices.
Emirates reports that, over the past year, it has repurposed more than 88,000 kilograms of plastic from inflight meal service items in its economy-class cabins alone, transforming them into new products for use onboard.
5 environmental efforts across the Emirates inflight experience
Child’s play
The Emirates children’s collection includes bags and plush toys made with a minimum of 50% recycled content, incorporating recycled post-consumer polyester. Emirates has also removed unnecessary plastic wrapping from children’s bags and blankets, while any magazines and product tags are produced using paper sourced from responsibly managed forests where feasible.
First-class thinking
Plastic packaging has also been removed from the wrapping of mattress toppers, duvets and blankets in First Class, and replaced with reusable bags made from a recycled polyester material. The loungewear, slippers and eye masks offered in First and Business Class are made from a lightweight, breathable modal fabric sourced from certified botanic fibres.
In the premium economy and economy class cabins, the fleece blankets are made from recycled polyester fleece, with each blanket incorporating material equivalent to approximately 28 recycled plastic bottles.
Greener amenities are in
Emirates’ first class and business class amenity kit bags now feature fabrics containing recycled content. For example, the foldaway combs and brushes, the case covers of the mirrors in the women’s business-class kits, and selected kit accessories have been redesigned using materials with recycled content, while the packaging of the dental kit is made from kraft paper.
Meanwhile the reusable amenity kits offered in Premium Economy and Economy Class were launched in partnership with United for Wildlife, to highlight the most endangered species on the planet. These kits incorporate bio-based materials, including cactus-based alternatives, and contain items such as socks and eyeshades made from 100% recycled post-consumer polyester (rPET).
The prints on the cases are created using non-toxic soy-based inks, and the accompanying story cards are made from kraft paper.
Reduced onboard plastic and packaging
Emirates works closely with suppliers to introduce alternative packaging solutions wherever possible. Plastic straws have been phased out across the onboard experience and replaced with certified paper alternatives.
Plastic carrier bags used for inflight duty-free purchases have been replaced with paper bags, while the packaging used for shower spa amenities incorporates stone paper.
The packaging for the headsets used across business class, premium economy, economy class (and children’s headphones) is now made from 100% recycled low-density polyethylene (LDPE).
The menus in every class are also printed on responsibly sourced paper.
Onboard recycling
Existing onboard initiatives include the segregation of glass and plastic bottles on flights arriving into Dubai, where operationally feasible, supporting more effective sorting and recycling through Emirates Flight Catering and local waste management partners.
