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Drink your coffee then eat the rest: Air New Zealand testing edible cups

Dec. 05, 2019
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2 min read
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Drink your coffee then eat the rest: Air New Zealand testing edible cups
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Air New Zealand is determined to make a difference when it comes to sustainability and reducing waste from flights. For its latest innovation, the New Zealand flag carrier has teamed up with local Kiwi family-run business Twiice to create an edible coffee cup, which is being trialled in lounges in Auckland and on some flights between Australia and New Zealand.

(Photo courtesy of Air New Zealand)

The biscotti cups are vanilla flavored and couple up as a sweet treat for passengers once they've finished their hot coffee or tea. The trial comes not long after the airline introduced biodegradable cups on the ground and in the air in the hope that the eight million coffee cups that the airline serves per year would not end up in landfill.

The leak and heatproof wheat flour, sugar, egg and vanilla cups are said to be going down a treat with passengers.

"I thought it was very pleasant, it was a nice way to finish the coffee," said one Air New Zealand customer.

The airline also encourages its passengers to bring reusable cups onboard flights and to lounges. The airline hopes that in addition to the recycled water bottles that it already uses, the edible cups will be scalable and become a long-term viable replacement for single-use plastic cups.

While the cups are the only initiative between the two companies for the time being, Jamie Cashmore, cofounder of Twiice, said that the company is also working to develop a line of edible plates and dishes.

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In July 2019, Air New Zealand announced that condiments served on board like salad dressing and soy sauce would be served in reusable bowls rather than individual plastic packets.

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

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  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
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  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
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