By Andrea Hargraves 
Emirates recycled more than 500,000 kilograms of plastic and glass throughout 2022, collecting discarded bottles on board for reuse. At 500,000 kilograms, it weighs almost the same as an Emirates A380 when fully loaded.
Emirates Airlines and Emirates Flight Catering divert thousands of kilograms of glass and plastic from landfills annually.
The on-board glass and plastic recycling initiative was proposed by (very environmentally conscious) Emirates crew in 2019, through webinars and events where they are presented with a platform for sharing feedback and where they are encouraged to share innovative ideas with key departments. The proposal was well received and implemented within a few weeks.
Emirates Blankets are made from recycled plastic
For the past six years, Emirates has provided Economy Class passengers on long-haul flights with comfortable and sustainable blankets made from recycled plastic bottles. Soft and cozy, each blanket is made from 28 recycled plastic bottles. The bottles are cut into plastic flakes before being spun into yarn, which creates a fleece material. The threads are then woven into soft bats. Since the launch of the initiative, Emirates Airline Blankets have prevented more than 95 million plastic bottles from going to landfill. As the aviation industry’s largest onboard sustainability program, the manufacturing process using recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) also reduces energy emissions by nearly 70%.
Prioritize responsible sources
Consuming responsibly is a key area for Emirates, which has introduced an environmental requirement in its Supplier Code of Conduct that takes into account the full life cycle of products, starting at the design stage. For example, the wooden tea and coffee spoons, paper straws, and on-board vending bags are made with wood and paper from responsibly managed forests.
Emirates toys are made with sustainably sourced materials
For younger Emirates passengers, the airline’s toy bags, baby sets and complimentary soft toys are also made from recycled plastic bottles and other sustainable materials. Waist bags, duffel bags and backpacks are designed with specific age groups in mind and are made with yarn made from 100% recycled plastic bottles. Each Emirates kids backpack is made from 5.5 recycled plastic bottles and every suitcase is made from 7. Producing Emirates backpacks saves 8 million plastic bottles from landfill. The labels are made from recycled cardboard, and the boxes they’re shipped in are made from recycled cardboard that can be recycled again.
Reusable Emirati Amenity Kits
The amenity sets in Emirates Economy and Economy Class are free for passengers on long-haul flights, and feature a design that represents the four basic elements of nature – fire, water, earth and air. The bags are reusable and made of kraft paper. Contents include a selection of durable travel essentials made from environmentally friendly materials. The toothbrush is made from a mix of wheat straw and plastic, and the socks and glasses are made from recycled plastic, in this case rPET (recycled polyethylene terephthalate). The packaging used for dentures, socks and glasses is made of 90% rice paper.