In 2018, American Airlines was the first major airline to ban plastic straws and drink stirrers.
Their latest Environmental Report states that they have been able to eliminate thousands of pounds of unnecessary plastic, through changes such as
Switching from plastic to bamboo stir sticks
Offering bio-degradable, eco-friendly straws
“We’re cognizant of our impact on the environment and we remain committed to doing our part to sustain the planet for future generations of travelers,” said Jill Surdek, president at American Airlines.
And American Airlines isn’t the only aviation company reducing their single use plastic waste. Most major airlines are now following suit with their own sustainability contributions.
There are many more ways in which an airline can transition to a more eco-friendly model, such as upgrading to a more environmentally friendly fleet, serving more vegan and vegetarian meals and offering their passengers more choice when it comes to purchasing their tickets. Not only can this save travelers money, but this can also be more environmentally friendly, due to many choosing carry-on bags only, which is a greener way to fly.
American Airlines now joins a small group of eco-friendly airline companies such as Alaska Airlines, Delta, KLM and British Airways. You can check out more here.
Another positive step towards reducing our non-essential single-use plastic waste!
