Delta Airlines announced that it would phase out its plastic cups in favor of paper ones. Apparently, Delta has been working on a new design of paper cup that would work for all of its in-flight beverages, including coffee, soft drinks, and cocktails, rather than just using its existing paper cups you’d drink your coffee in as you soar over the majestic plains of Nebraska.
According to The Points Guy, the new cups will be designed for flight attendants to easily separate and stack, aiding in speedy service and cleanup.
The cups are currently being tested on some flights, with plans to expand further in the future. The rollout is part of Delta’s overall plan to eliminate all single-use plastics aboard its flights by 2025 (which is approaching alarmingly quickly).
Delta reportedly said that though the bulk of its environmental efforts will come from fuel efficiency and other large-scale measures, doing something as simple as shifting to paper cups is still part of the sustainability focus. It plays in to the “think globally, act locally” idea where even small measures make a difference.
The landscape of single-use cups is changing. In some cases, companies are shifting away from plastic or syrofoam in favor of paper. In others, they’re using aluminum and educating consumers about recycling. Some large chain restaurants like Tim Hortons and Starbucks are introducing programs that encourage customers to return a cup to be reused in the future.
There’s no standard yet, but it’s clear that consumers want more environmentally friendly option, which points to solutions like paper and other recycled (and recyclable) materials.
Another point is that Delta, along with other airlines in the future perhaps, are going to be placing a lot of paper cup orders.
