easyJet is rolling out reusable crew meal trays across its UK and European fleet, replacing single-use cardboard boxes previously used for crew meals onboard its aircraft.
The airline estimates the change will eliminate the use of more than 1.5 million cardboard meal boxes each year.
The rollout follows earlier trials and implementation across easyJet’s Swiss fleet and at its Marrakech base and is being carried out in partnership with Ecoffee Cup.
Reusable trays replace 1.5 million boxes per year
The new trays are made from certified food-safe plastic and are designed to be cleaned and reused rather than discarded after individual meals.
They will now be used for crew meals across easyJet’s UK and EU operations.
According to the airline, replacing the previous cardboard boxes will prevent approximately 1.5 million single-use items from entering its waste stream annually.
“At easyJet, we are always looking for practical ways to reduce waste across our operation,” said Michael Brown, Director of Cabin Services at easyJet.
“Our crew really embraced the introduction of reusable cups and cutlery and the addition of reusable trays will help prevent further single-use waste from being generated.”
Follows reusable cups and cutlery introduced in 2024
The trays are the latest change to how easyJet serves meals to its pilots and cabin crew.
In 2024, the airline introduced reusable cups and cutlery for crew meals, replacing additional disposable items used onboard.
The new trays extend that system to the containers used for the meals themselves.
Unlike passenger catering changes, the latest initiative applies specifically to meals provided to easyJet employees while working onboard.
easyJet targets onboard waste
The change forms part of a wider programme of operational measures being introduced across easyJet’s fleet.
Other projects include digitising aircraft refuelling processes to reduce paper use and improve fuel management, adopting lighter aircraft paint and introducing lower-weight seats on future Airbus A320neo and A321neo deliveries.
The reusable tray programme is considerably smaller in its direct environmental impact but targets a recurring source of onboard waste across easyJet’s large European operation.
Following its earlier introduction in Switzerland and Marrakech, the system is now being extended across the airline’s UK and EU fleet.
