Delta on the road to eliminating single-use plastics on its planes

17-12-23

This December, the U.S. airline is conducting final tests, on different flights, of its prototype of environmentally compliant and resistant paper cups.

Once the prototypes are approved and their use is implemented throughout Delta's network, the paper cups will help eliminate nearly 3,200 tons of single-use plastics onboard annually. This will take Delta one step closer to minimizing single-use in-flight plastics by 2025.

In line with this intent, Delta has already eliminated more than 2300 tons of single-use plastics annually since 2022 in its mission to deliver a more sustainable travel experience.

The cups that airlines use on board must ensure that both hot and cold beverages maintain the right temperature, as well as resist the solvent properties of alcohol. In addition, the cups must be stackable on aircraft catering trolleys and easily detachable so that crew members can serve customers efficiently.

For years, Delta has been working with sustainability experts, supply chain and manufacturing partners to design a cup that is unique to the company. These new paper cups are customized to help the airline meet international mandates while underscoring Delta's commitment to a consistent and superior travel experience. 

In addition, the cups are compostable and can be recycled at ad hoc airport facilities, preventing waste from ending up in landfills. These paper cups, which meet high standards, are in final testing that will culminate next year.