Korean Air Introduces Eco-Friendly In-Flight Meal Containers Made from Straw and Bamboo

Korean Air announced on November 25 that starting next month, it will begin transitioning its in-flight meal containers to sustainable materials made from plant-based sources.

The in-flight meal containers being replaced are used to serve main dishes on board. They have primarily been used for Korean and Western main courses for economy class passengers. The new containers will be introduced on select routes beginning in December, with plans to expand their use to all routes by the end of next year.

Korean Air

The new in-flight meal containers are made from non-wood pulp materials derived from plant-based sources such as straw, sugarcane, and bamboo. These materials are considered eco-friendly because they can be produced without cutting down trees. They also maintain their shape even after prolonged exposure to high temperatures, making them convenient to use.

This transition to new in-flight meal containers is part of Korean Air's ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) management initiative to reduce plastic use and help lower carbon emissions. Korean Air expects that this change will reduce carbon emissions by approximately 60 percent.

Korean Air

Additionally, Korean Air is implementing ESG management practices tailored to the airline industry by replacing disposable plastic cutlery such as forks with bamboo alternatives, and switching from bleached pulp napkins to unbleached bamboo napkins. The airline is also engaged in upcycling activities, such as repurposing uniforms that have been sufficiently worn and returned by cabin crew into medicine pouches, and converting blankets that can no longer be used in-flight into hot water bottles.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.