• easyJet has invested in providing reusable cutlery and cups for its crew inflight to stop unnecessary waste from single use plastics and disposable wooden cutlery

  • The move follows a successful trial earlier in the year and will now be rolled out fleet-wide to all crew based in the EU, Switzerland and the UK

  • The initiative is estimated to save over 10 million single use items from being used annually, equivalent to 71 tonnes per year

In an industry first and following a successful trial, easyJet is equipping all cira. 14,000 of its crew (pilots and cabin crew) with reusable cups and cutlery in a mission to cut down on disposable single use items.

In total, the initiative is expected to prevent more than 10 million single use items from being used per year – equivalent to 71 tonnes per year* and forms part of easyJet’s ongoing commitment to lower the impact of its operations.

The new reusable cups and cutlery are made from durable materials so they are built to last to ensure easyJet’s crew can reuse time and time again.

All crew will receive their new cups and cutlery sets over the coming weeks, with the roll out to be completed by January 2024. All new pilots and cabin crew will receive a cup and cutlery set as part of their new entrant uniform allocation.

Angela Mullen, Head of Inflight Retail Operations at easyJet, comments: “As always, our brilliant crew took this trial under their wings and through their passion and dedication to reduce unnecessary waste, we are now able to roll out this fantastic initiative network-wide.

“This is just one of the many ways we’re working to lower the impact of our operations and we’ll continue to trial new initiatives and make continuous improvements to help accomplish this goal.”

easyJet’s net zero pledge:

In 2022, easyJet launched its net zero roadmap, setting out its vision to reduce its carbon emissions per passenger, per kilometre by 78% by 2050 (vs 2019).

Alongside the transition to zero carbon emission technology, the roadmap features a combination of fleet renewal, operational efficiencies, airspace modernisation, Sustainable Aviation Fuel and carbon removal technology.

Since 2000, easyJet has reduced its carbon emissions per passenger, per kilometre by one-third and continues to make operational improvements such as cutting unnecessary waste to achieve its net zero ambitions by 2050.

 

Notes to editors:

References

*The 71 tonne annual saving includes the removal of cutlery packs (previously accounting for 16 tonnes of waste per year) and the removal of disposable cups and lids (previously accounting for 55 tonnes of waste per year).

 

About easyJet

easyJet is Europe’s leading airline offering a unique and winning combination of the best route network connecting Europe's primary airports, with great value fares and friendly service.

easyJet flies on more of Europe’s most popular routes than any other airline and carried more than 69 million passengers in 2022 – with 9.5 million travelling for business. The airline has over 300 aircraft on nearly 1000 routes to more than 150 airports across 35 countries. Over 300 million Europeans live within one hour's drive of an easyJet airport.

easyJet aims to be a good corporate citizen, employing people on local contracts in eight countries across Europe in full compliance with national laws and recognising their trade unions. The airline supports several local charities and has a corporate partnership with UNICEF which has raised over £16m for the most vulnerable children since it was established in 2012.

The airline joined the UN-backed Race to Zero in November 2021 and has published its roadmap to net zero carbon emissions by 2050, with a focus on new technology and the ultimate ambition to achieve zero carbon emission flying across its entire fleet, which the airline is working on together with its partners including Airbus, Rolls-Royce, GKN Aerospace, and Cranfield Aerospace Solutions. The roadmap also features a combination of fleet renewal, operational efficiencies, airspace modernisation, Sustainable Aviation Fuel and carbon removal technology. Additionally, it includes an interim carbon emissions intensity reduction target of 35% by 2035 (versus 2019). Since 2000, the airline has already reduced its carbon emissions per passenger, per kilometre by one-third through continued fleet renewal, efficient operations and aiming to fill most of its seats.

Innovation is in easyJet’s DNA – since launching over 25 years ago, easyJet changed the way people fly to the present day where the airline leads the industry in digital, web, engineering and operational innovation.