Emirates has recycled more than 88,000 kilograms of plastic into new inflight products over the past year as part of its closed-loop manufacturing model for Economy Class meal service items.
Damaged and unserviceable trays, casseroles, snack dishes and bowls are collected after flights, cleaned, inspected and processed at a specialist facility in Dubai. The recycled materials are then used to produce new meal service items containing up to 25 per cent recycled content. These are returned to Emirates Flight Catering and reintroduced into service across thousands of flights worldwide.
Investment and partnership
As part of its environmental commitment, Emirates has invested more than AED 50 million in transitioning to a closed-loop manufacturing model for inflight dining service ware. The initiative is delivered in partnership with deSter FZE UAE, an aviation service ware provider specialising in closed-loop manufacturing. The company is part of the CE100 network of circular economy organisations and has received a ‘Gold’ sustainability rating from Ecovadis.
Its Dubai facility incorporates solar power, efficient water management and waste minimisation practices. The programme supports circular economy principles by reducing plastic waste sent to landfill while also lowering transport emissions through local recycling and manufacturing.
Wider sustainability efforts onboard
Beyond recycling, Emirates continues to implement a range of sustainability initiatives across its inflight experience. Children’s toys and bags are made with at least 50 per cent recycled content, including post-consumer polyester. Single-use plastic has been reduced by removing unnecessary packaging from these items, while magazines and product tags are printed on responsibly sourced paper.
In First Class, plastic packaging for mattress toppers, duvets and blankets has been replaced with reusable bags made from recycled polyester. Across all cabin classes, headset packaging is now made from 100 per cent recycled low-density polyethylene (LDPE).
Emirates has incorporated more sustainable materials into its premium cabin amenity kits. First and Business Class kits feature fabrics with recycled content, along with redesigned accessories and kraft paper packaging for dental kits. Premium Economy and Economy Class reusable amenity kits, developed in partnership with United for Wildlife, use bio-based materials including cactus-based alternatives and contain items made from 100 per cent recycled polyester.
Fleece blankets in Premium Economy and Economy Class are made from recycled polyester, with each blanket using material equivalent to approximately 28 recycled plastic bottles. In First and Business Class, loungewear, slippers and eye masks are produced using lightweight modal fabric derived from certified botanic fibres.
VOYA skincare products featured onboard are made using organic seaweed sustainably harvested from Ireland. Further measures include replacing plastic straws with certified paper alternatives, introducing paper bags for inflight duty-free purchases, and adopting alternative packaging solutions such as stone paper for certain onboard amenities.
Emirates has also implemented onboard recycling initiatives, including the segregation of glass and plastic bottles on flights arriving in Dubai, where operationally feasible, to support more effective recycling processes. Menus across all cabin classes are now printed on paper sourced from responsibly managed forests.
Loading post…
Frequently asked questions
How many kilograms of plastic has Emirates recycled into inflight products?
Emirates has recycled more than 88,000 kilograms of plastic into new inflight service ware over the past year.
When did Emirates launch its closed-loop manufacturing model for meal service ware?
The closed-loop manufacturing model for Economy Class meal service items was launched in June 2023.
What percentage of recycled content is used in the new Emirates inflight trays and bowls?
New trays, bowls and other service items are made with up to 25 percent recycled plastic content.
Which partner helps Emirates with its closed-loop recycling program?
Emirates partners with deSter FZE UAE, a specialist in closed-loop manufacturing and a member of the CE100 circular-economy network, to process the collected waste.
How does the Emirates circular economy initiative reduce plastic waste?
The Emirates circular economy program cuts landfill waste by collecting damaged trays, cleaning and recycling them locally, which also lowers transport emissions.
