As part of its ongoing commitment to more sustainable air travel, SAS will eliminate 37 tons of single-use plastics from its on-board operations each year by introducing innovative, plastic-free food packaging.
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This initiative, implemented on December 1, now applies to flights departing from Copenhagen, Oslo, Arlanda, and Gothenburg. By adopting these sustainable alternatives whenever single-use food packaging is required, SAS has taken a practical step toward reducing waste and supporting industry-wide efforts to lower environmental impact.
Through collaboration with its suppliers, SAS has introduced an innovative, fully sealed cardboard barrier that meets food-grade standards without the need for traditional plastic coatings. This development is part of a broader shift toward reusable and biodegradable materials, supporting SAS’ ambition to achieve 100% sustainable materials by 2030. In addition to plastic reduction, SAS’ cabin sustainability efforts include minimizing onboard waste and optimizing cabin materials to achieve weight reduction, which directly decreases fuel consumption and associated emissions. By exploring reusable materials and reducing packaging, SAS also contributes to the aviation sector’s broader fuel efficiency goals.
SAS’ ongoing initiatives form part of a long-term environmental strategy aimed at reducing emissions and promoting cleaner energy sources. For example, these efforts include:
Fleet renewal: Newer, fuel-efficient aircraft like the Airbus A350 and Airbus A320neo reduce fuel use and emissions.
Biofuel transition: Expanding the use of biofuels to lower dependency on fossil fuels.
Optimized flight operations: Efficiency practices like streamlined takeoffs, optimized flight paths, and fuel-saving strategies are part of each flight’s journey to minimize environmental impact.
Future innovation: Together with partners SAS is actively involved in developing hydrogen-powered and electric aircraft with the aim of achieving zero-emission aviation.