easyJet has launched a new sustainable initiative that will see its pilots and cabin crew switch to 100% reusable cutlery and cups to prevent the waste of single-use plastics on board.
All 14,000 easyJet cabin crew and pilots will make the switch, with the rollout to be completed in January 2024. It will prevent 10 million single-use items from being wasted every year, the equivalent of 71 tonnes of various materials.
This follows a successful trial conducted earlier in the year and will be rolled out fleet-wide to all crew based in the EU, Switzerland and the UK.
The switch to reusable cutlery and cups is an industry first by the airline, forming part of the low-fare carrier’s ongoing commitment to lower the environmental impact of its operations. All new crew will receive a cup and cutlery set as part of their new entrant uniform allocation.
Initiatives are currently in the works to reduce waste for passengers on board its aircraft, an easyJet spokesperson confirmed to LARA.
Last financial year, the airline removed 11.5 million items of single-use plastic, introduced a recycling programme for its dry stores, and made packaging changes which could save two tonnes of plastic waste annually.
Angela Mullen, Head of Inflight Retail Operations at easyJet, commented: “As always, our brilliant crew took this trial under their wings and through their passion and dedication to reduce unnecessary waste, we are now able to roll out this fantastic initiative network-wide.
“This is just one of the many ways we’re working to lower the impact of our operations, and we’ll continue to trial new initiatives and make continuous improvements to help accomplish this goal.”
easyJet | Images taken by Ollie Jarman. Copyright: Ollie Jarman Photo
