Alaska Airlines Pilots Reusable r.Cups in Sustainability Push on National Reuse Day

• Alaska Airlines offered guests the chance to be among the first to try reusable r.Cups in the air.
• This feasibility study with r.Cups will help us explore new ways to reduce onboard waste, aiming to bring sustainable innovations to our fleet and the broader travel industry.

(IN SHORT) Alaska Airlines partnered with r.World on National Reuse Day to test reusable r.Cups on a special roundtrip flight between Seattle and Minneapolis. This feasibility study is part of the airline’s efforts to reduce onboard waste and explore sustainable innovations in air travel. Passengers were the first to use r.Cups, which are collected, sanitized, and reused. Alaska Airlines, known for its sustainability initiatives, aims to gather insights from this study to further reduce single-use plastics and improve eco-friendly practices.

(PRESS RELEASE) SEATTLE, WA, 2024-Oct-23 — /Travel PR News/ — In celebration of National Reuse Day, Alaska Airlines partnered with r.World to introduce reusable r.Cups on a special roundtrip flight between Seattle and Minneapolis. This initiative is part of a feasibility study aimed at reducing onboard waste and integrating sustainable practices into the travel industry. Passengers on this flight were among the first to use the durable and reusable r.Cups, which are already popular at concerts and sporting events for their eco-friendly design.

The reusable r.Cups, which are collected, sanitized, and reused after each flight, align with Alaska Airlines’ ongoing commitment to sustainability. By reducing single-use waste on board, the airline is exploring innovative solutions that prioritize both environmental care and guest service. This study, though limited in scope for now, is part of Alaska Airlines’ broader effort to reduce waste and carbon emissions across its fleet.

“We’re thrilled to collaborate with Alaska Airlines on National Reuse Day, demonstrating how easy it is to eliminate single-use waste during flights,” said Michael Martin, r.World’s founder and CEO.

Alaska Airlines has long been at the forefront of sustainable travel efforts. In 2023, the airline became the first in the U.S. to implement a plastic-free beverage service, replacing plastic cups with certified paper cups and reusable glassware in First Class. Additional initiatives include replacing plastic water bottles with Boxed Water™ and reducing food waste through pre-order meal options.

“Through this study with r.World, we aim to gather valuable insights on how we can further reduce onboard waste while maintaining safety and service quality,” added Ryan Spies, Alaska Airlines Managing Director of Sustainability.

Media Contact:

Media Relations
(206) 304-0008
newsroom@alaskaair.com

SOURCE: Alaska Airlines

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