Emirates said Thursday it had recycled and reused more than 88,000 kilograms of plastic from Economy Class inflight dining items over the past year, as part of a closed-loop programme launched in 2023 to reduce waste and increase the use of recycled materials onboard.

The Dubai-based airline announced the figures in a statement marking World Environment Day, adding that it had invested well over 50 million dirhams ($13.6 million) in transitioning its inflight serviceware operations toward a circular manufacturing model.

Closed-loop recycling

Under the programme, damaged or unserviceable Economy Class trays, bowls, casseroles, and snack dishes are collected after flights, cleaned, and processed at a specialist facility in Dubai. The plastic is then transformed into new meal service items containing up to 25% recycled material before being returned to service on Emirates flights.

The airline said the initiative was designed to reduce plastic waste sent to landfill and lower transport emissions by recycling and manufacturing locally.

The programme is being carried out with deSter FZE UAE, an aviation serviceware supplier that specialises in closed-loop manufacturing. Emirates said the facility uses solar power and water-efficient processes and has received a “Gold” sustainability rating from Ecovadis.

Broader environmental measures

Emirates also outlined a series of additional sustainability measures across its inflight experience, including replacing plastic straws with paper alternatives, using recycled materials in amenity kits and children’s products, and introducing fleece blankets made from recycled polyester.

The carrier said that headset packaging is now made from 100% recycled low-density polyethylene, while some First and Business Class amenity kit components have been redesigned using recycled-content materials. Plastic packaging for First Class bedding has been replaced with reusable bags made from recycled polyester.

Onboard recycling initiatives already include separating glass and plastic bottles on flights arriving in Dubai where operationally feasible, the airline said.

Passenger experience and industry context

The recycling programme is unlikely to significantly change passengers’ inflight experience, as the airline reintroduces the repurposed trays and dishes into normal service. However, the airline said the effort forms part of a broader strategy to reduce single-use plastics and improve resource efficiency across its operations.

Airlines globally have been under increasing pressure from regulators, investors, and passengers to cut waste and lower their environmental impact. Industry initiatives have focused on reducing single-use plastics, improving recycling systems, and sourcing more sustainable cabin products, although aviation remains a hard-to-decarbonise sector overall.

Future efforts

Emirates said it would continue working with suppliers to introduce alternative packaging solutions and expand the use of responsibly sourced and recycled materials across its onboard products and catering operations.

Source: Emirates PR