DUBAI— Emirates (EK) marked World Environment Day on 5 June by spotlighting the results of its closed-loop recycling programme, first launched in June 2023.
Operating from its hub at Dubai International Airport (DXB), the airline has repurposed more than 88,000 kilograms of plastic from Economy Class inflight meal service items over the past year.
The airline has invested more than AED 50 million in shifting to a closed-loop manufacturing model for inflight dining serviceware.
Damaged trays, casseroles, snack dishes, and bowls are collected after flights and reprocessed at a specialist facility in Dubai, turning waste into new products for use onboard.
Emirates Recycles 88,000 Plastic Waste
Emirates collects damaged and unserviceable Economy Class trays, casseroles, snack dishes, and bowls after flights. These items are cleaned, inspected, and processed at a specialist facility in Dubai. There, they are transformed into new meal service items containing up to 25% recycled material.
The finished products return to Emirates Flight Catering and re-enter service across thousands of flights. With millions of trays, bowls, and dishes used every year throughout the airline’s global network, the programme supports circular economy principles.
It significantly reduces plastic waste sent to landfill while lowering transport emissions through local recycling and manufacturing.
The programme runs in partnership with deSter FZE UAE, a leading aviation serviceware provider and expert in closed-loop manufacturing. deSter is a member of the CE100 network, which includes some of the world’s leading circular economy organisations.
The company holds a ‘Gold’ Sustainability rating from Ecovadis, a globally recognised certification for sustainable practices. The facility also uses sustainable design principles, including solar power, efficient water management, and waste minimisation.
Environmental Efforts Across the Inflight Experience
Emirates extends its environmental work well beyond serviceware, applying responsible materials and reduced packaging throughout the cabin.
100 episodes of David Attenborough on ice To mark Sir David Attenborough’s 100th birthday and a century of achievement in bringing the natural world to global audiences, Emirates ice is hosting 100 episodes from the Attenborough Collection throughout June and July. The BBC Earth titles, all narrated by Sir David, guide customers across some of the planet’s most spectacular landscapes and ecosystems.
Children’s toys and bags The latest children’s collection includes bags and plush toys made with a minimum of 50% recycled content, using recycled post-consumer polyester. Children’s magazines and product tags use paper sourced from responsibly managed forests where feasible. Emirates has also removed unnecessary plastic wrapping from children’s bags and blankets.
First Class bedding bags Plastic packaging has been removed from First Class mattress toppers, duvets and blankets, replaced with premium reusable bags made from recycled polyester.
Headset packaging Headset packaging across Business Class, Premium Economy, Economy Class and children’s headphones is now made from 100% recycled low-density polyethylene (LDPE).
Amenity kit bags First Class and Business Class kit bags feature fabrics containing recycled content. Foldaway combs and brushes, mirror case covers in the women’s Business Class kits and selected accessories have been redesigned using recycled content, while dental kit packaging uses kraft paper. The reusable Premium Economy and Economy Class kits, launched in partnership with United for Wildlife, incorporate bio-based materials including cactus-based alternatives. Kit contents such as socks and eyeshades are made from 100% recycled post-consumer polyester (rPET), with outer designs printed using non-toxic soy-based inks.
Fleece blankets Premium Economy and Economy Class fleece blankets are made from recycled polyester fleece, with each blanket incorporating material equivalent to roughly 28 recycled plastic bottles.
Loungewear and wellbeing products First and Business Class loungewear, slippers and eye masks use lightweight, breathable modal fabric sourced from certified botanic fibres. The VOYA skincare range in First and Business Class uses organic seaweed sustainably harvested by hand from the west coast of Ireland.
Reducing Plastic and Packaging Onboard
Emirates has phased out plastic straws across the onboard experience, replacing them with certified paper alternatives. The airline works with suppliers to introduce alternative packaging wherever possible. Plastic carrier bags for inflight duty-free purchases now use paper, while shower spa amenity packaging incorporates stone paper.
On arrival into Dubai, Emirates segregates glass and plastic bottles where operationally feasible, supporting more effective sorting and recycling through Emirates Flight Catering and local waste management partners.
First Class menus are printed on paper sourced from responsibly managed forests. Business Class, Premium Economy, and Economy Class menus have transitioned to the same responsibly sourced paper, reinforcing the airline’s commitment to sustainable sourcing.
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