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Alaska Airlines plans to eliminate millions of plastic bottles per year

May 06, 2021
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2 min read
Boxed Alaska
Alaska Airlines plans to eliminate millions of plastic bottles per year
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There's no question that commercial aviation continues to have a tremendous impact on the environment. Aircraft have a significant carbon footprint on their own, but passengers and crew members also create considerable amounts of waste on every flight, through the use of single-use plastics and other materials — much of which ends up in the trash.

The pandemic has resulted in airlines growing even more dependent on single-use materials, including bottles of water that are so small, many travelers will end up going through several on each flight.

Fortunately, there's some change on the way. Alaska Airlines is now taking additional steps to reduce its plastic consumption, replacing water bottles with a more sustainable alternative from Boxed Water Is Better.

Beginning this month, Alaska Airlines will be replacing bottles with boxed water. The airline expects to remove 7,200,000 plastic bottles from the skies each year as a result.

As Alaska points out in its press release, airlines created roughly 6.7 million tons of cabin waste in 2018. "While we know our greatest impact is through carbon emissions, every decision we make, including how we source the products we serve on board, is important," said Diana Birkett Rakow, Alaska's vice president of public affairs and sustainability.

More: Alaska Airlines adds another 6 California routes in West Coast build up

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First-class flyers should already be receiving boxed water on some flights, with the new addition rolling out throughout the airline's cabins this summer. Unfortunately the airline's recycling effort has been on hold for the last year, due to COVID-19, but on May 19, Alaska will resume recycling cans and water bottles, too.

Featured image by Boxed Water Is Better
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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  • 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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  • $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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