Southwest Airlines switches to using bamboo cups to reduce plastic

You might notice something a little different the next time you order a cold drink on a Southwest Airlines flight.

Instead of plastic, your drink will come in a cup made primarily of bamboo and will be served with a birch stirrer emblazoned with the company’s iconic “Heart” branding.

Here’s what it looks like:

The new stirring rod is made entirely of birch wood and has been certified by Forest Management Councila nonprofit organization that uses independent parties to verify that forests are managed responsibly. The new cup is made from 93% non-plastic materials, with a pulp blend of 75% bamboo and 25% paper, and has a polyethylene lining. Bamboo is considered a “rapidly renewable material” by US Green Building Council (an organization dedicated to mitigating climate impacts) because it will mature in 3 to 5 years.

Southwest said it has conducted “vigorous testing” of the items with both customers and employees — switching from plastic to bamboo cups and birch stirrers will not make water, soda or other drinks cold Yours has a different taste.

The Dallas-based airline also said switching to bamboo and birch cups will help the airline reduce its use of single-use plastic on board by more than £1.5 million each year. This will help the company make progress towards its broader sustainability goals.

“We are excited to continue working with our suppliers toward our goal of eliminating single-use plastics,” said Helen Giles, Southwest’s executive director of environmental sustainability. phase out of in-flight service by 2030”.this statement.

Southwest Constantly reaching Net Zero strategy announced in 2023 established the airline’s goal of joining the larger aviation community to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The company’s 2025 target is to reduce its emissions by 50 % of single-use plastic generated by in-flight services (by weight) and to save an additional 50 million gallons of jet fuel.

Additionally, in July 2024, Southwest previously reduced its use of lightweight plastics by switching napkin packaging from plastic to paper covers made of 100% post-consumer recycled materials, completely eliminating the use of plastic use in this particular item.

In the coming months, Southwest plans to introduce a new select snack service on flights to and from Hawaii to reduce food waste and reduce single-use plastic packaging by at least 18,000 pounds per year.

Southwest is looking elsewhere to further reduce the use of single-use plastics on flights.

According to carrier 2023 Southwest Report OneWhile 75% of single-use plastic on planes is made up of cups and stirrers (now gone), as well as plastic straws and snack packaging, it’s about 25% of the plastic that airlines are trying to Disposal comes from disposable wine and wine bottles. The airline has also committed to improving its recycling program by (among other actions) “consistent practices” on onboard recycling, improving its uniform recycling program and supporting more airline leather seat upgrade program and organization.

Of course, Southwest isn’t the only airline trying to find ways to achieve its sustainability goals. On National Reuse Day (October 20), Alaska Airlines tested a reusable cup program on a round-trip flight between Seattle and Minneapolis. Airlines Eliminate plastic cups on flights from January 2023.