Emirates is supporting the topic of World Environment Day 2022, Only One Earth, with onboard and ground efforts that will make a significant difference.
The airline's environmental strategy focuses on three areas: emissions reduction, responsible consumption, and wildlife and habitat preservation.
When it comes to developing in-flight products and services, an in-house team of sustainability professionals contributes from the start. Following the waste management hierarchy, the team prioritises waste prevention before determining whether or not things can be reused. If not, it is re-cycled, and the final alternative is to dispose of it responsibly.
Before being presented on board, Emirates' new Economy Class amenity kits were also put through an environmental evaluation. These reusable packs are constructed of washable kraft paper and include long-lasting travel essentials made of eco-friendly materials. Rice paper makes up 90% of the packaging for the dental kit, socks, and eyeglasses. The toothbrush is constructed from a mix of wheat straw and plastic, while the socks and eyewear are created from recycled rPET (recycled polyethylene terephthalate).
Emirates' complementary toy bags, baby amenity kits, and soft toys are all manufactured from recycled plastic bottles for the airline's youngest passengers. The swing tags for the bags, kits, and toys are produced from recycled cardboard, and the print is done using non-toxic soy-based inks, keeping the product's complete life cycle in mind.
Economy Class paper menus were replaced with digital menus in April 2020, saving 44 tonnes of paper per month and supporting Emirates' overall efforts to reduce unnecessary weight, save fuel, and reduce emissions. Instead, travellers use the onboard wifi to see the menu on their phones.
In addition, Emirates will begin a six-month trial of an electric bus, which can travel up to 100 kilometres on a single charge, to carry passengers from outlying stations next week. These are carbon-free and run on an advanced energy management system.
