Emirates moves to reduce single-use plastic on board

Dubai-based Emirates has moved to reduce single-use plastics on board its aircraft. As part of the airline's ongoing sustainability efforts, eco-friendly paper straws were introduced on some flights earlier this month, with the remaining routes soon to be plastic straw-free.

In addition to plastic straws, plastic swizzle sticks and stirrers will also be replaced with eco-friendly alternatives by the end of the year, Emirates says in a press release received on Thursday.

From August next, plastic bags used for Inflight Retail purchases will also be replaced with paper bags. These initiatives will remove an estimated 81.7 million single-use plastic items from landfill each year, the statement added.

As part of its long-term vision, the airline has been segregating large plastic bottles on board to be recycled in Dubai and the rest of the world. This diverts an estimated 3 tonnes or about 150,000 plastic bottles from landfill in Dubai each month.

A full review of the plastics on board has been conducted and over the next few months, the airline will gradually implement other initiatives to tackle plastic waste.