LATAM eliminates 75% of inflight single-use plastics

LATAM has introduced new service items into its economy-class cabin service that the airline group says have enabled it to eliminate more than 1,200 tons of single-use plastics – equivalent to eliminating 36,000 500ml plastic bottles. Plastic inflight service items such as cups, cutlery and trays, have been replaced with more sustainable equivalents, including bamboo cutlery, reusable trays, kraft paper packaging for cutlery, and certified sustainable paper cups.

The sustainable service items changes have been implemented on all of LATAM group’s regional and long-haul routes, and are part of the group’s sustainability strategy, which aims to eliminate 100% of single-use plastics used in its operations by 2023. The strategy also includes goals such as zero waste to landfill by 2027, reducing and offsetting 50% of domestic emissions by 2030, and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

“Caring for the planet is a challenge for everyone, and a necessary destination for LATAM, which is why we reviewed our services and identified nearly 1,800 tons of single-use plastic on board our international flights. Our teams got involved to redefine all details of our service,” said Paulo Miranda, VP of customers at LATAM Airlines Group.

The group has also introduced changes in the Premium Business cabin, which include reusable bags to cover rest items, and eco amenity kits, which include a bamboo toothbrush with a sugar cane lid, earplugs with packaging made of kraft paper, and socks and eye covers made from recycled plastic.

LATAM has also implemented recycling and reuse measures. On domestic flights in Chile, Peru, Colombia and Ecuador, LATAM has introduced a programme called Recycle Your Trip, by which cabin crew members separate plastic and cans on board (in Colombia, this separation takes place on the ground). In addition, together with women entrepreneurs and partner organisations, the group is continuing its uniform reuse programme in Peru, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Brazil, giving a second life to employee uniforms.