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United Tries Compostable Cutlery, Recyclable Coffee Cups on Special 'Eco' Flight

June 12, 2019
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2 min read
Eco-Skies
United Tries Compostable Cutlery, Recyclable Coffee Cups on Special 'Eco' Flight
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United Airlines put the spotlight on the environment last week with its "Flight for the Planet" Chicago O'Hare to Los Angeles. The airline used the flight to demonstrate measures the industry can take to be more sustainable, including carbon offsetting, using biofuel and a zero cabin waste effort.

Passengers aboard the flight received a meal service with disposable items switched with recyclable, compostable or reusable alternatives. Plastic lids were swapped for beeswax, and plastic cutlery was replaced with compostable forks and knives. The airline also debuted an all-paper hot-beverage cup, an industry first, according to United.

United's "Eco-Skies" liveried Boeing 737-900ER was used for the one-time environmentally focused service, which averaged 77 passenger miles per gallon for the trip. The pilots attempted to keep the plane's environmental impact even lower through single-engine taxiing and a continuous descent, both of which are methods to reduce fuel consumption and noise pollution.

The biofuel for the flight was purchased from World Energy, a fuel company based in Boston and one of United's fuel partners. This biofuel generates 60% less greenhouse gas emissions than traditional jet fuel over the course of a plane's lifetime, the airline says. United currently uses a mix of biofuel and jet fuel to power many of its flights, including all departures from Los Angeles (LAX), its so-called "Eco-Hub" and the Flight for the Planet's destination.

USA Today reports that the airline did not reach its zero waste goal for the flight event, as passengers created 14 pounds of garbage during their journey. Still, many airlines are trying to lower their environmental impact wherever possible, and efforts like United's one-off flight demonstrate multiple routes the industry may take to adapt and become more green.

Related: Air France Wants to Eliminate 210 Million Single-Use Plastic Items by the End of 2019

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Overall, United's effort comes as the travel industry at large is looking to burnish its green credentials amid growing awareness about the impact of travel on the environment. Aside from biofuels, airlines and other travel companies have gone public with other environmentally friendly moves, such as an effort by some to phase out singe-use plastics.

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  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

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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.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • 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.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked 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.
  • Terms Apply.