Alaska Airlines first US carrier to completely ban plastic straws
Alaska Airlines plans to ditch single-use, non-recyclable, plastic stir straws in a new sustainability push.
Starting on July 16, 2018 the airline will replace them with sustainable alternatives on all flights and in airport lounges.
It marks part of its goal to reduce inflight waste going to landfills by 70% by 2020, the airline says.
It has teamed up on the initiative with ocean conservation nonprofit Lonely Whale.
Plastic straws will be replaced by compostable straws made from white birch and plastic citrus picks will be swapped with bamboo ones.
"Building on our grassroots, employee-led recycling program, we’re thrilled to take the next step to protecting our land and oceans by removing single-use non-recyclable plastic straws from our planes," said Jacqueline Drumheller, sustainability manager for Alaska Airlines.
The airline said it went through 22 million plastic stirring straws and citrus picks on flights and in lounges in 2017.
Alaska says it will become the first major US airline to completely eliminate plastic straws.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Have your say Cancel reply
Subscribe/Login to Travel Mole Newsletter
Travel Mole Newsletter is a subscriber only travel trade news publication. If you are receiving this message, simply enter your email address to sign in or register if you are not. In order to display the B2B travel content that meets your business needs, we need to know who are and what are your business needs. ITR is free to our subscribers.

































Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season