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Southwest Airlines introduces bamboo drink cups for sustainability

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Southwest Airlines introduces bamboo drink cups for sustainability
Research
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Emily Thompson Credit cards editor | The Points Guy

Southwest Airlines is introducing bamboo drink cups as part of its effort to reduce single-use plastics on flights. Passengers will now receive their cold beverages in cups made primarily of bamboo, accompanied by birchwood stir sticks featuring the airline's "Heart" branding.

The birchwood stir sticks are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, ensuring responsible forest management. The new cups are composed of 93% non-plastic materials, with a blend of 75% bamboo and 25% paper, and include a polyethylene lining. Bamboo is recognized as a "rapidly renewable material" by the U.S. Green Building Council due to its quick maturation period.

Southwest conducted extensive testing on these items with customers and employees to ensure that the switch from plastic does not affect the taste of beverages. The airline aims to reduce inflight single-use plastics by over 1.5 million pounds annually, contributing to its broader sustainability objectives.

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Helen Giles, Southwest's managing director of environmental sustainability, stated, "We're excited to continue collaborating with our suppliers to work toward our goal of fully eliminating, where feasible, single-use plastics from inflight service by 2030."

This initiative aligns with Southwest's Nonstop to Net Zero strategy announced in 2023, targeting net zero carbon emissions by 2050. By 2025, the company plans to cut single-use plastics generated by inflight service by half and save an additional 50 million gallons of jet fuel.

In July 2024, Southwest transitioned from plastic wrapping for napkin bundles to a paper sheath made from recycled materials. This change eliminated plastic use in this specific item.

Looking ahead, Southwest intends to introduce a select-a-snack offering on Hawaii flights to minimize food waste and decrease single-use plastic packaging by at least 18,000 pounds annually. The airline is also exploring other opportunities to further reduce single-use plastics onboard.

According to Southwest's 2023 report, about 75% of onboard single-use plastics came from cups and stir sticks—now replaced—as well as straws and snack packaging. The remaining 25% stems from wine and liquor bottles. Southwest has pledged to enhance its recycling program through consistent practices and support for upcycling initiatives involving leather seat covers.

Southwest joins other airlines in pursuing sustainability goals. For instance, Alaska Airlines tested a reusable cup program on National Reuse Day during a flight between Seattle and Minneapolis after eliminating plastic cups earlier in January.

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