Emirates Airline recycled more than 2022 kilograms of plastic and glass in 500.000 thanks to the collection of discarded bottles used on board, which are then recycled and reused. This volume represents the approximate weight of a fully loaded Emirates A380 flagship aircraft.
On every flight landing in Dubai, Emirates cabin crew sorts glass and plastic bottles that are sent to a recycling facility in Dubai. Glass is first sorted by color and then broken. Ready to be remelted, this recycled glass is then sent to glass manufacturers in the United Arab Emirates and added to their mix to make new bottles. Plastic bottles are cleaned, then cut into flakes and melted into pellets from which other plastic products are made. In this way, Emirates and Emirates Flight Catering manage to save thousands of kilograms of glass and plastic that would normally end up in landfills each year.
In 2019, Emirates cabin crew members came up with the idea of recycling glass and plastic on board through regular webinars and events where they could share their feedback and innovative ideas with key company departments. His recommendations received a positive response and were implemented within a few weeks.
Emirates is also involved in other initiatives that promote the reuse of plastics or the use of sustainable materials wherever possible.
Emirates blankets made from recycled plastic
Emirates has offered Economy Class blankets made from a sustainable material made from recycled plastic bottles to passengers on long-haul flights for six years. One piece of these soft and warm blankets is made from 28 recycled plastic bottles that are crushed into plastic flakes and then spun into yarn to create a wool material. Soft blankets are then woven from fine fibers. Thus, more than 95 million plastic bottles were used in six years. It is the largest sustainable inflight blanket program in the entire airline industry. The manufacturing process using recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) also reduces energy emissions by around 70%.
Emphasis on responsible sourcing
Responsible consumption is a key environmental focus for Emirates, which is also reflected in the code of conduct for external suppliers. For example, wooden tea and coffee stirrers, paper straws and in-car bags are made from wood and paper from responsibly managed forests.
Emirates toys made from sustainably sourced materials
For the smallest travellers, there are free toy bags, baby wraps, and plush toys, again made from recycled plastic bottles and other sustainable materials. Belt bags, bags and backpacks are designed with specific age groups in mind and made from yarn made from 100% recycled plastic bottles. Each Emirates children's backpack is made from 5,5 recycled plastic bottles and each bag is made from 7 bottles. Emirates has saved 8 million plastic bottles from going to landfill by producing such children's bags. Labels, as well as the outer packaging for transporting individual products, are made from recycled cardboard.
Emirates reusable inflight toiletries
Emirates Toilet Sets in Premium Economy Class and Economy Class are offered free of charge to passengers on long-haul flights. Their designs represent the four basic natural elements – fire, water, earth and air. The bags are made of washable kraft paper with a special art print made with reusable and non-toxic soy-based ink. The content is then a selection of durable travel items made from environmentally friendly materials. The toothbrush is made from a combination of wheat straw and plastic, and the sock and visor are made of recycled plastic, in this case rPET. The packaging used for the dentist set, socks and eye masks is made of 90% rice paper.