Southwest Airlines, popular in California, debuts new eco-friendly onboard cups, stir-sticks

Southwest Airlines has taken another step towards reducing single-use plastic waste by introducing eco-friendly alternatives for inflight service items. The airline announced the launch of new bamboo cups for cold beverages, made with a 93% non-plastic pulp blend of 75% bamboo and 25% paper. These cups, alongside a wooden stir stick made from 100% FSC-certified birch wood, aim to cut down on plastic waste by over 1.5 million pounds per year.

The new sustainable products follow other recent environmental initiatives by Southwest. In July, the airline replaced plastic overwrap for its napkins with a 100% post-consumer recycled paper version. Southwest also plans to roll out a “select-a-snack” option for flights to and from Hawaii, which is expected to reduce onboard food waste by at least 18,000 pounds annually.

These changes reflect a growing industry trend toward sustainable travel options, with airlines like Alaska Airlines also testing reusable items as part of a waste-reduction effort. Southwest’s latest initiative showcases its commitment to environmental stewardship while enhancing the onboard experience for passengers.

The new sustainable products follow other recent environmental initiatives by Southwest.Photo bySWA