Emirates unveils plastic recycling initiative

Emirates is launching a closed-loop recycling initiative to repurpose millions of onboard items like plastic trays, bowls, and snack dishes into new meal service products.
This move aligns with the principles of a circular economy, where items are reduced, reused and recycled, according to a press release.
After flights, old and damaged meal service items will be collected, cleaned, and transported to a Dubai facility for processing into fresh dishes, bowls and trays.
Emirates will utilise plastic materials that have reached their end of life. These repurposed items, containing approximately 25 per cent recycled material, will be reintroduced on aircraft worldwide.
In addition to the recycling project, Emirates has implemented other eco-friendly measures such as replacing plastic straws, retail bags and stirrers with sustainable alternatives and using recycled plastic bottles for blankets and amenity kits.