Eliminating single-use plastic waste on airplanes

“The airline industry generates 6.1 million tonnes of plastic waste per year, representing 2 % of the world’s plastic waste and more than 50 % of aircraft waste [1]. We see tremendous potential to eliminate this waste with reusable service ware. For drinking cups, we have to find a durable and sustainable material to meet the design and operational challenges. Tritan Renew is one of the materials with the greatest potential to meet this demanding challenge”, said Philippe De Naeyer, Director Sustainability at deSter.

In the airline industry, plastics must be able to endure a relatively harsh cycle of transportation, onboard use, and cleaning via commercial dishwashing. Having more items that can last through the airline’s usage cycle while also retaining their high-end look will not only allow airlines to reduce waste but to maintain a premium experience. Tritan Renew is extremely durable, making it an ideal material for this type of heavy usage. Also, the crystal-clear transparency of this material creates a sense of premium experience for onboard usage.

Tritan Renew is made with 50 % certified recycled content (ISCC mass balance allocation) through Eastman's molecular recycling technology that breaks down hard-to-recycle plastic waste into its basic building blocks to create new materials, while diverting plastic from landfills, incinerators, and the environment.

“We are excited to be on this journey with deSter as they bring innovation to inflight catering with Tritan Renew”, said Dirk DiSantis, Commercial Director for Plastics at Eastman. “This partnership reflects our shared vision for driving the systems change necessary to create new solutions that eliminate single-use plastic waste for the circular economy.” AT

[1] WRAP, 2017; UNEP, 2018; Blanca-Alcubilla et al., 2018

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