LATAM Airlines announced that it will eliminate 100% of single-use plastics used in its operations by 2023 through initiatives such as changing materials on board, incorporating more sustainable elements, and the group’s recycling and reuse programs.
Gradual changes have been implemented to date within the aircraft. As of June 1, all international flights have reusable bags to cover the rest items in the Premium Business cabin. In turn, the new Premium Business cabin travel kits for passengers were recently launched, which incorporate more sustainable elements such as bamboo brushes and kraft paper wrappers.
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In the Economy cabin, important changes will be announced in the coming weeks in the materiality of all the elements of the service (glasses, cutlery, trays), replacing them with reusable and/or recyclable materials. In the short term, the initiative will make it possible to eliminate more than 1,000 tons of single-use plastics, equivalent to 36,000 500ml plastic bottles.
For its part, LATAM Cargo is implementing five pilot projects with which it is expected to reduce the use of plastic in cargo operations by more than 60%. An initiative stands out that aims to replace the plastic that wraps the load with reusable blankets or waterproof covers.
“The proposed goals have challenged us to rethink the design, materiality and protocols of our on-board service. We understand that this is a gradual process, where we still have a lot to learn, but we will continue working to implement concrete changes that allow us to generate a greater impact for the benefit of our communities and ecosystems”, says Paulo Miranda, Vice President of Customers at LATAM Airlines Group.
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To the previous actions, recycling and reuse are added. On domestic flights from Chile, Peru, Colombia and Ecuador, LATAM has the “Recycle Your Trip” program, through which cabin crew segregates plastic and cans on board. In the case of Colombia, this segregation is carried out on land. In turn, together with women entrepreneurs and allied organizations, the group continues with its uniform reuse program in Peru, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Brazil, giving a second life to employee uniforms that are not being used.
These initiatives are part of LATAM’s sustainability strategy, whose goals include being zero waste to landfill by 2027, offsetting 50% of domestic emissions by 2030, and achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
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