ATLANTA- Delta Air Lines (DL) has invested years in developing and testing paper cups designed to withstand hot, cold, and alcoholic beverages while adhering to stringent environmental regulations.
Commencing on December 5, 2023, these cups will undergo final testing on various transcontinental domestic and select additional flights.
Delta New Paper Cups
Upon approval and implementation throughout the Delta network, the use of paper cups is expected to eliminate nearly 7 million pounds—equivalent to the weight of 1,300 pickup trucks—of single-use plastics on board annually, bringing Delta a step closer to achieving its goal of minimizing single-use plastics on board by 2025.
Since 2022, Delta has already successfully removed over 4.9 million pounds of single-use plastics annually as part of its commitment to providing a more sustainable travel experience.
The cups used by airlines must meet specific criteria, ensuring they maintain the temperature of hot and cold drinks and withstand the effects of alcohol.
Furthermore, these cups must be stackable within the existing galley carts on aircraft and easily separable for efficient service by flight attendants.
The transition to paper cups poses challenges, particularly regarding versions that include a plastic-based liner, making recycling more difficult.
Complicating matters, international regulations and mandates on single-use plastics vary significantly, requiring Delta to navigate a complex set of rules as a global airline.
Innovative Approach
Delta adopts a distinctive approach by collaborating with sustainability and supply chain experts, along with production partners, to design and manufacture a cup that is uniquely Delta.
These innovative paper cups are tailored to assist the airline in complying with international mandates, emphasizing Delta’s dedication to delivering a consistent and enhanced travel experience.
Additionally, the cups are compostable and can be recycled where airport recycling facilities are available, contributing to waste diversion from landfills.
Amelia DeLuca, Delta’s Chief Sustainability Officer, emphasized the importance of testing new solutions and gathering real feedback from both employees and customers for making long-term sustainable changes.
She stated, “We constantly need to be testing, learning and iterating. That’s what innovating is all about, and innovation is core to Delta’s DNA.”
Extensive testing of the paper cups has been conducted to ensure they meet the high standards that customers have come to expect from Delta.
Kristen Manion Taylor, S.V.P. of In-Flight Service, highlighted the significance of finding an alternative to single-use plastic cups that is both premium for customers and practical for flight attendants.
She mentioned, “Our flight attendants are passionate about minimizing our environmental impact while continuing to create an elevated customer experience on our flights.”
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