Alaska Airways publicizes partnership with Boxed Water
Alaska Airlines is the first to switch from single-use plastic to this more sustainable substitute
Boxed water is better – the most renewable packaged water alternative to plastic bottles – works with Alaska Airlines to provide less effective packaged water to passengers as part of their joint mission to address the ongoing problem of plastic pollution.
Starting this month, the airline will begin replacing single-use plastic bottles in First Class with 92% plant-based boxed water cartons, effectively removing 7.2 million plastic bottles a year – the equivalent of roughly 98,000 pounds of plastic.
The initiative is one of many in Alaska Airlines’ commitment to sustainability and continuous progress in reducing aircraft waste.
“We are proud to partner with Alaska Airlines to reduce the travel industry’s impact on the environment,” said Daryn Kuipers, CEO and co-founder of Boxed Water. “Recycling efforts are essential, but not enough. People are starting to travel again, and we’re excited to offer Alaska flyers a less effective alternative to plastic bottles. “
According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the aviation industry generated around 6.7 million tons of cabin waste in 2018, and that number is growing. With the Boxed Water partnership, Alaska Airlines is the first airline to introduce a water carton solution to reduce and replace single-use plastics.
“In Alaska, sustainability is part of our culture, our values and the way we operate our airline,” said Diana Birkett Rakow, vice president of public affairs and sustainability for Alaska Airlines.
“While we know that our biggest impact is on carbon emissions, every decision we make, including how we source the products we offer on board, is important. Our new partnership with Boxed Water enables us to offer our guests a much more renewable option for packaged water. We have received positive feedback from employees and guests and look forward to expanding to additional flights. “
You will see how boxed water is introduced in several phases. Alaska successfully launched Boxed Water on Alaska’s Horizon Air-operated flights earlier this year and will be rolled out to all Alaska flights in first class throughout the summer starting May 5.
The airline announced today that it will resume recycling of cans, bottles and water bottles from May 19 after being on hold for more than a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Recycling has been in the DNA of Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air for 15 years after the employees launched the industry’s first recycling program.
Alaska Airlines recently announced a climate reduction strategy with new targets for carbon, waste and water. This includes a path to achieving net carbon emissions by 2040 with short term targets for 2025 to maintain carbon neutral growth from 2019 onwards.
Known for its industry-leading recycling program, Alaska has set out to source more sustainable packaging for in-flight service. In 2018, it became the first airline to remove plastic straws and stir sticks from all flights and eliminate more than 22 million straws. The airline invites passengers to use airport water stations and #FillBeforeYouFly to avoid the use of single-use packaging.
“Every time you fly, hydration is important to personal health,” said Todd Traynor-Corey, general manager, Guest Products, Alaska Airlines. “We recommend our guests to bring their own water bottles and #FillBeforeYouFly in order to produce the least amount of waste. We’re excited to be working with Boxed Water, a far more sustainable solution than single-use plastic bottles, to provide more sustainable options and reduce waste on our flights. “
Boxed Water’s cardboard boxes are 92% plant-based and are the most sustainable on the market and can be recycled in many areas. The plant-based cap is made from pulp waste from sustainably harvested pine trees. Independent life cycle studies also show that boxed water has a 36% lower carbon footprint and 43% lower fossil fuel consumption than its plastic counterparts.
Boxed Water and Alaska Airlines support the National Forest Foundation (NFF). Boxed Water is planting 1.2 million trees with the organization and Alaska guests are supporting their mission by donating miles to the mileage plan in their LIFT miles program.
“It’s a fantastic collaboration between two companies with a vision for a better planet,” said Mary Mitsos, President and CEO of NFF. “We’re excited to see aviation industry leaders like Alaska continue to support these missions as we all work together to make sustainability more viable for the masses.”
