With airlines waking up to some of the eco-responsibilities they need to do, airlines are open to trying new ideas to reduce the plastic waste generated in flight. Icelandair is working towards this goal, with the introduction of biodegradable cutlery.
Icelandair cornstarch based cutlery – Image, Icelandair/Kaelis
Icelandair partnered with Kaelis to deliver such a product – and are made of cornstarch. This includes the cutlery, the toothpick and the packaging. The entire set is biodegradable.
According to Icelandair
Cornstarch products produce significantly fewer greenhouse gas emissions than traditional plastics over their lifetime. There is no net increase in carbon dioxide when they break down, because the plants that they are made of also absorb the same amount of carbon dioxide as they grow. Additionally, cornstarch products do not produce toxic fumes if incinerated.
These utensils are meant to be durable and suitable for hot and cold contents.
The new items will be available on Icelandair flights in a couple of months.
Steps to removing plastic from the air
It seems that airlines are catching on to this idea to improve their product in the air, whilst attempting some sustainability in the air – and with impending European ban on single-use plastics coming in 2021 – the cornstarch-based cutlery by Kaelis (and deployed by IcelandAir) is an interesting first step.
Hi-Fly operated a “plastic-free” flight, showing it is possible to use items that aren’t plastic-based for a one-off flight. However, this demonstration flight has to translate into a repeatable (and cost-effective) exercise – and one that other airlines can learn from to lower the cost of the biodegradable/sustainable option, versus the single-use plastic.
It’s a small change – but lots of small changes can add up in the long run.
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Remember metal forks and knives on planes. Ahhh the good old days.
Indeed – some airlines still use it in economy. However, it seems Airlines don’t like to cost of cleansing those/the great security theatre (and like a lot of airlines), went to single use plastic items.
At least these items won’t cause too much of an environmental impact.