From December 1, SAS has begun implementing an initiative to eliminate 37 tons of single-use plastics from its onboard operations annually. This measure affects flights departing from Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm-Arlanda, and Gothenburg, where the airline has introduced plastic-free food packaging.
According to the company, SAS has collaborated with its suppliers to develop a fully sealed cardboard package that meets food standards without requiring plastic coatings. This initiative is part of a broader process toward using reusable and biodegradable materials, aligned with the goal of achieving 100% sustainable materials by 2030.
Aron Backström, Vice President of Product and Loyalty at SAS, stated that “as an airline, our main goal is decarbonization, which involves making sustainable decisions in our fleet, fuel, and operations.” He also highlighted that eliminating single-use plastics onboard represents an immediate way to reduce environmental impact. «Eliminating single-use plastics is a direct way to immediately reduce our environmental impact, demonstrating how small steps contribute to the path toward more sustainable aviation,» he said.
Along with reducing plastics, SAS’s sustainability initiatives include optimizing onboard materials to reduce cabin weight, which decreases fuel consumption and emissions. The airline has also started exploring the use of reusable materials and reducing packaging as part of its efforts to improve sector efficiency.
“Achieving these sustainability milestones requires everyone’s support, and we are committed to making these changes as easy and beneficial as possible for all passengers,” Backström added. “While change can be challenging at first, together we can embrace these alternatives, such as biodegradable packaging and waste reduction, for a more sustainable future.”
SAS‘s actions are part of an environmental strategy that includes, among other measures, renewing its fleet with more fuel-efficient aircraft like the Airbus A350 and Airbus A320neo, and increasing the use of biofuels to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. The airline is also working on optimizing flight operations to improve efficiency and reduce emissions and participating in the development of electric and hydrogen-powered aircraft with the aim of achieving zero-emission aviation.
