Main course containers of ANA's Economy Class made of plant-derived products from August 2021

Report by : Gan Yung Chyan, KUCINTA SETIA

 

All Nippon Airways (ANA) announced on 15 April 2021 that, starting from August, the main course containers of economy class aircraft on international routes have been replaced from plastic products to plant-derived products. It is reported that this is the world's first among the airlines in operation. ANA said this is an environmental protection measure that can reduce the amount of disposable plastic in the aircraft by about 30 per cent.

The raw material of the new container is the stems and leaves discarded in the process of refining sugarcane into sugar, which is called "bagasse material". According to ANA, this kind of container will decompose even if it flows into the ocean, so it can reduce the adverse effects on fish, birds and other ecosystems. The design is inspired by pottery tableware, and the edges are more rounded than the original.

All Nippon Airways continues to work on measures such as changing knives and forks to wood products. In the future, the plastic waste generated in aircraft will be reduced, and it will also help to reduce the greenhouse gas generated during the production of containers and the burning of waste. The person in charge said, "With Europe as the center, the supervision of the use of plastics is being strengthened. We will take the lead and accelerate preparations."