Onboard Hospitality 93 March-May 2023

March-May 2023 Issue 93

Double take Diving deep to achieve sustainable progress

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fabric trends Sleeper Trains Reducing waste Sustainable cruising

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Celebrating 30 Years of Partnership Celebrate. Collaborate. Innovate. Now more than ever, Linstol remains committed to serving as your purveyor of choice for passenger comforts and luxurious travel experience amenities. We provide these enhancements seamlessly in alignment with your highest expectations.

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Inside this issue...

Features 6

10

Thoughtful flying: Airline sustainability

18 Recruitment: Considering sustainability 21

Sustainable trends: Fabrics

32

24 In Conversation: Watermark

44

26 Airline challenges: Issues to address 32 Cruising: Sustainable trends 36 The burning issue: International cabin waste

21

40 On track: Night trains 44 Retail: Sustainaholics

Quick reads 10 Circularity: The Airline Sustainability Forum 12

All change: Rail catering

15

Take your pick: Alcoholic drinks

16 Focus on: Castello Monte Vibiano

12 18

35 Focus on: Ambassador Cruise Line 42 Focus on: Diversey

Regulars 47 Industry update

6

50 Events

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WELCOME / 5

EDITORIAL EDITOR Stuart Forster stuart.forster@onboardhospitality.com

Embracing change

DIGITAL EDITOR April Waterston april.waterston@onboardhospitality.com

A

chieving true sustainability requires businesses to make significant changes in how they operate. It involves reassessing how things are done and looking at the entire supply chain. Reaching the goal will take time.

CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Jo Austin (For Taste of Travel enquiries: jo.austin@onboardhospitality.com), Julie Baxter (julie.baxter@onboardhospitality. com) Bev Fearis & Jessica Pook CONTRIBUTORS Matt Crane Anne de Hauw Mike Pooley Roger Williams EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Steve Hartridge PUBLISHER Sue Williams sue.williams@onboardhospitality.com ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Craig McQuinn craig.mcquinn@onboardhospitality.com

Stuart Forster EDITOR Onboard Hospitality

DESIGN & PRODUCTION DESIGNERS Caitlan Francis & Emma Norton PRODUCTION & STUDIO MANAGER Clare Hunter PRODUCTION ADMINISTRATOR Steve Hunter

BMI PUBLISHING MANAGING DIRECTOR Matt Bonner CEO Martin Steady SUBSCRIPTIONS Kay Fisher subscriptions@bmipublishing.co.uk (PRINT) ISSN 2046-2042. ©BMI PUBLISHING LTD 2020. ONBOARD HOSPITALITY IS PUBLISHED BY BMI PUBLISHING LTD: 501 THE RESIDENCE, NO. 1 ALEXANDRA TERRACE, GUILDFORD, GU1 3DA, UK. T: 020 8649 7233 E: ENQUIRIES@BMIPUBLISHING.CO.UK BMIPUBLISHING.CO.UK WHILE EVERY EFFORTIS MADE TO ENSURE ACCURACY, BMI PUBLISHING LTD CANNOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY ERRORS OR OMISSIONS. COVER IMAGE: ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/ CHAIYAPRUEK2520

As our cover symbolises, the changes which passengers can see and experience are merely the tip of the iceberg. There's lots more going on that will have positive long-term impact.

That ranges from choices of ingredients and materials, considering sustainability during recruitment to reassessing how to deal with issues such as International Cabin Waste.

In this edition, we head to Italy to learn how the Castello Monte Vibiano estate started making changes to become sustainable 25 years ago. And we stay in Europe to find out why sleeper trains are resurgent before looking at trends relating to sustainability in cruising.

Meanwhile, we have received more than 150 entries for the 2023 Onboard Hospitality Awards. Thank you to everyone who has submitted an entry and best wishes to all of you who are in the running for an award.

And here's to everyone involved in making and facilitating the changes which are helping to make travel more sustainable.

I hope you’ll enjoy this issue.

Looking ahead...

Regularly read in over 70 countries worldwide and mailed to our 25,000+ international database. Read this magazine in digital form, share it virtually or subscribe.

If you are looking for a supplier or caterer, check out onboardhospitality.com/finder

Get yourself connected online  @OBHMagazine �Onboard Hospitality at linkedin.com

STAY SOCIAL

RECOGNISING EXCELLENCE, RESILIENCE AND INNOVATION IN AIR, RAIL, CRUISE AND FERRIES

onboardhospitality.com/awards

Connect with us on our social media channels. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. Follow the conversation via the hashtags #onboard and #OBHAwards. @OBHMagazine

AWARDS VOTING

Vote in the Onboard Hospitality Awards until March 24 2023.

Winners will be announced at the WTCE in Hamburg, Germany, on June 6 2023. awardsonboard hospitality.com

STAY CURRENT

For the latest news and features, don't miss Onboard Hospitality Weekly, our weekly e-newsletter. Get it sent to your inbox every Monday. onboardhospitality. com/subscribe

ADVERTISE WITH US

See your advert feature in our next edition — distributed at the WTCE. Talk with one of our sales team about opportunities.

Contact: Craig McQuinn or Sue Williams

MEET IN HAMBURG

See you in Hamburg for the World Travel Catering and Onboard Services Expo (WTCE) and Airccraft Interiors Expo (AIX) from 6-8 June 2023.

Contact: Stuart Forster

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6 / SUSTAINABLE AIRLINES

From reducing food waste to eliminating plastic onboard, its all systems go for airlines to boost their sustainable credentials.

April Waterston checks out the latest progress

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hilst flying has long been lauded as a key contributor to climate change, it is also the key to explore our wonderful, wonderful planet. Travel is what allows us to become global citizens. By travelling we feel more engaged with global politics, more aware of hardships people face around the world, and increasingly more appreciative of the natural beauty and ecosystems we so desperately need to protect.

However the fact remains that reducing the carbon footprint and overall environmental impact of aviation is essential. We all know by

now that the aviation industry is widely reported as contributing anywhere between 2-2.5 per cent of total carbon emissions globally. Airlines know they need to up their game to help us all travel more sustainably – a task they are all, for the most part, taking very seriously.

“Flying sustainably and cutting CO2 emissions is a top priority," said Frederic Leger, IATA’s Senior Vice President for Commercial Products & Services. "The aviation sector is working to achieve net zero emissions by 2050."

"Iberia has always been committed to both environmental and social sustainability," said Melanie Berry, Customer Experience Director at

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Iberia. A more sustainable experience for its passengers is one of the pillars of Iberia’s sustainability strategy. “In 2018, we launched the LIFE Zero Cabin Waste programme to recycle the waste generated onboard on all our flights thanks to new catering carts that facilitate the separation of plastic, paper and composite beverage containers, which later is collected by the catering supplier and delivery to recycling companies. In 2019, a total of 2,253 tonnes of used food and drink containers were recycled, representing a 42% increase compared to the amount recycled before the project began.

“In addition, in 2019, several initiatives to reduce single-use plastics were launched, such as the use of paper instead of plastic for wrapping blankets and duvets, the removal of plastic wrapping for headphones and amenity kits, the replacement of plastic straws with bamboo and paper ones. These initiatives, among others, have allowed Iberia to reduce by 68.5 tonnes yearly the plastic used onboard.”

Inflight service Emirates is also focussing on inflight service to boost its sustainable credentials.

"Every single one of the 50,000 to 60,000 items on each Emirates flight is carefully sourced – including the meals served, toiletries, safety equipment and bed linen," said Richard Jewsbury, Emirates Divisional Vice President in the UK. "We make careful decisions about what items we purchase, how we source them, how we manage the disposal of waste, and how we consume water and power. We prioritise suppliers that are ethical and sustainable, while also offering good value and quality.

"Where feasible, we source from in and around the region to keep a low carbon footprint, such as our 30-year partnership with Dilmah Tea. Dilmah’s tea bags are made from natural sources and are compostable. We are proud to serve its teas in all cabin classes, on all our flights."

Up in the air If the Onboard Hospitality Awards 2023 are anything to go by, it is clear that sustainability is once again at the top of the agenda for airlines.

This year our Best for Sustainability Onboard category has by far the most entries of any of

We prioritise suppliers that are ethical and sustainable, while also offering good value and quality

our onboard categories. Vote for your favourites at awards.onboardhospitality.com by March 24 2023, and read all about them in our next issue. In the meantime, here we outline a few recent initiatives…

Alaska Airlines: Alaska Airlines has recently become the first US airline to remove all plastic cups onboard – a move which eliminates more than 55 million plastic cups annually and replaces them with a more planet-friendly alternative.

All inflight beverages on Alaska flights are now served in Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified paper cups or reusable glassware for most First-Class services.

Japan Airlines: Japan Airlines (JAL) is now offering passengers the option to skip its inflight meal service all together in order to reduce food waste. The option to select ‘no meal’ is available to passengers in all classes and is offered in an alert during the booking process. Although the fare is not reduced, JAL donates savings to school meal programmes in developing countries.

Finnair: At the end of February, Finnair said goodbye to its inflight retail service. “Onboard and pre-order shopping has become a less important service among our customers,” explained Valtteri Helve, Head of Product Offering at Finnair. “In spring 2020, we announced that we were discontinuing inflight sales on our flights within the EU as part of our goal to reduce the overall weight of the aircraft and now it is time to take the next step and discontinue them worldwide.”

JetBlue: WESSCO International partnered with JetBlue Airways and Wanderfuel, a wellness brand, to create a sustainable amenity kit collection for its Mint cabins that features certified B Corp wellness brands, aimed at supporting self-care for travellers.

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8 / SUSTAINABLE AIRLINES

The collection includes eco-friendly and sustainable products from brands including Sun Bum, Sustain Natural and EO. SWISS: SWISS has partnered with Retail inMotion to reduce foodwaste onboard. The Swiss Saveurs To-Go concept allows passengers on an aircraft’s last flight of the day to purchase a surprise bag filled with daily made artisanal Sprüngli products at a discount of up to 60%.

Through this programme, Swiss has successfully eliminated waste for 21,000 products or 3.5 tons of food waste inside the last 10 months.

LATAM: During 2022, LATAM reduced plastic onboard by 77% by switching to bamboo mixers, rotable bags, paper ribbons wrapping blankets and pillows, sugar cane caps and by introducing a new amenity kit. It has also launched a ‘Recycle your Journey’ programme, allowing the airline to recycle waste collected onboard in domestic flights, setting aside aluminium, glass and plastic.

Aer Lingus: In 2022 Aer Lingus replaced plastic cutlery packs with packs made from birch wood, a sustainable material, resulting in a reduction of almost 23 tonnes of single use plastics per year. It also introduced a digital alternative to newspapers and magazines onboard, resulting in a saving of 14 tonnes of paper per year.

Delta Air Lines: Delta has partnered with a Mexican apparel brand called Someone Somewhere to create the amenity kits for its premium Delta One cabin. Someone Somewhere is a Certified B Corporation and Delta’s

partnership with the brand has created jobs for more than 250 people in five of Mexico’s most vulnerable states. The amenity kit, supplied by FORMIA, eliminates five single-use plastic items such as zippers and packaging, reducing plastic use by up to 90,000 pounds on an annual basis.

Emirates: Emirates’ Economy Class amenity kits are reusable and made from washable kraft paper and contain durable travel essentials made from environmentally-friendly materials such as rice paper, wheat straw and rPET (recycled polyethylene terephthalate). airBaltic: airBaltic is working towards the goal of having one of the most sustainable fleets of Airbus A220-300 aircraft. In 2022, the company received seven Airbus A220-300 aircraft, becoming one of the largest operators globally and largest operator in Europe of this aircraft type. airBaltic currently has 39 aircraft of this type in its fleet and is expected to add eight more in 2023.•

Find JetBlue, LATAM, SWISS and more in this year's Onboard Hospitality Awards

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10 / AVIATION SUSTAINABILITY FORUM

Working together to improve circularity Matt Crane, one of the Founders of the Aviation Sustainability Forum, introduces the not-for-profit organisation aiming to rethink circularity and waste management…

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ach year the equivalent of around 260 A380s of International Catering Waste (ICW) is incinerated around the world. Something must be done.

Current legislation dictates that as soon as food and beverage waste crosses international borders it is regarded as potentially hazardous and must be incinerated or sent to landfill.

Globally, the burning and burying of cabin waste is contributing to increased carbon emissions and is having a devastating, long-term impact on the environment. As passenger numbers rise, this problem will only get worse and more challenging to resolve.

In aviation, we face a tougher journey than most industries to hit net zero targets. Rightly, there is a lot of focus and effort to drive developments in fleet modernisation, Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and operational efficiencies.

Seeking new solutions Yet to achieve net zero we also need to focus on cabin waste and circularity. That means looking across the sector’s entire and fragmented supply chain for new solutions to become more sustainable. Product suppliers, caterers, airlines,

airports and waste management companies – all of us – have a key role to play in striving to reduce the consumption of valuable resources, to reduce waste going to landfill or incineration.

No longer can we look only at ‘our piece’ – we have to look at the whole community. We are already looking upstream and finding more sustainable materials, production processes and waste reduction practices. But if we look downstream and see only incineration or landfill, what is it all for?

The issue of ICW As we get closer to net zero deadlines, the treatment of ICW has to be tackled. To do that, we must take collective ownership of a complex issue that involves outdated regulation.

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problem. With so many stakeholders and differing regulatory frameworks around the world, that represents a daunting task.

We must unpick this and reorganise the supply chain to operate in a more sustainable way. That can be achieved with clear objectives and guidance. The Aviation Sustainability Forum (ASF) is here to facilitate and support that essential change.

The ASF The ASF is a not-for-profit organisation and aims to enhance circularity in aviation. Consisting of a collaborative partnership of otherwise competing stakeholders from across the aviation sector, the ASF is an independent body whose mission is to unite the supply chain and build a more sustainable future for onboard products and services.

Run by its members for the good of the overall inflight sector, the ASF will work with the industry to transform how ICW is managed across the supply chain by embracing circularity.

Collaboration across the global aviation supply chain is essential to mitigate the issue of ICW. The ASF will strive to bring members from the inflight services industry together to develop sustainable solutions and standards while campaigning to overcome the regulatory and policy barriers currently hindering progress.

Looking at other international industries which have managed to

achieve this, such as the construction industry, there is much to learn from introducing standardisation. Standardising the materials loaded onboard aircraft will enable the standardisation of waste management practices at the end of the supply chain.

Where we are The current regulatory framework is based on protecting the agricultural sector, with respect to animal health. So in order to challenge the regulations, the industry will need to demonstrate that new practices result in safe waste that negates regulatory concerns and can be reused, recycled, biodegraded or composted.

We need to come together as an industry and recognise that this is a problem shared by all of us in the supply chain. The only way to really solve it is to work together.

Funding change The ASF is building membership from within the aviation sector and has received seed funding from early members. Further funding will be sought from growing the membership of the ASF as well as seeking opportunities that lie outside of the sector.

Our funding will be put to use further analysing the current situation and then establishing regional pilot schemes to trial new and improved ways of working. The ultimate aim is to transform the supply chain to operate in a more sustainable way.

The issue of ICW cannot be ignored any longer.

The time has come for action. That action has to come from all of us in the inflight supply chain – working together in a truly collaborative process. Let’s get started.

For more information on how you can get involved, please contact the ASF via info@ aviationsustainabilityforum.com or visit our website, aviationsustainabilityforum.com •

In aviation, we face a tougher journey than most industries to hit net zero targets

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12 / XXXXX RAIL CATERING

All change on trains The International Rail Catering Group’s chair, Roger Williams, tracks sustainable progress and solutions on the railways…

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ail’s journey of environmental progress has seen dirty diesels replaced with clean electric engines and lithium battery trains. CO2emission-free services are now operational in Germany in world-leading Alstom Coradia iLint’s hydrogen-powered trains.

Accounting for only 1.4% of emissions around the world caused by domestic travel, rail is considered the sustainable travel choice according to Railway Gazette’s COP26 report. But does that give rail caterers a green light to rest on their environmental laurels?

Debated recently between IRCG members, everyone agreed that change was needed. Yet some were further ahead than others, partly due to national politics – not all countries see the same imperative.

Our 2022 member survey showed over 85% of rail catering managers agree that improving economic performance can be achieved through sustainable initiatives. That’s a sharp rise from 60% in 2021.

That’s a critical motivator for caterers still under post-Covid pressures of staffing gaps, rising supply costs and reduced product availability. A switch towards menu and ordering digitalisation is a key recent development.

Waste solutions Reducing waste remained the top target. That involves reducing packaging, improving waste segregation and eliminating single-use plastic.

Increasing digital touchpoints for customers to drive sales and improve forecasting was seen as vital.

With many intercity railways offering walk-on walk-off services, food quantities for individual trains must be estimated. Add in last-minute train changes, refrigeration failures and short turnarounds and food waste costs become significant.

Rhetoric about railways supplying tonnes of food to charities appears commendable, but food waste needs addressing at source. Across the world’s railways it costs millions and much is avoidable if customer pre-ordering systems are improved.

Global railway and airport caterer RG SSP reports a third of meals served are now plantbased. That helps reduce methane emissions and needs to be better reflected in some onboard menus.

RG SSP’s new digital food ordering systems, such as that used on Lumo trains in the UK, means customers can pre-order food from branded outlets such as M&S Simply Food at

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the station for delivery direct to the train. This provides wider choice and, importantly, reduces waste. Could this excellent concept be the answer for walk-on walk-off trains, especially where onboard facilities are limited?

Think global, act local In the race to be seen to be as responsible, it is important that operators don’t fall into the greenwashing trap by saying something is sustainable when it’s not.

There’s growing focus on increasing local products. Supporting local suppliers is great, but it defeats the object if the ‘local’ products have to travel hundreds of miles to a distribution depot and back to the station logistics centre for issue to trains.

Swiss caterer, Elvetino, demonstrates well how a truly local supply option can work – bakeries close to stations on the route deliver products directly. The key is accepting that perhaps not all products will be identical across a long route.

With digital systems that can be easily managed.

Green intentions In the UK, Avanti West Coast’s holistic approach was inspired by COP26, which was held in Glasgow, on its route. It aims to be a net-zero carbon emissions railway by 2031, delivering diversity and equality for employees, sustainable digital solutions for customers and support for local communities.

Elsewhere, newly rebranded Eurostar, operating in western Europe, achieved the Sustainable Restaurant Association’s highest 3-star rating for its menus. Targeting 100% renewable energy by 2030, Eurostar composts food waste into fertiliser, a process that also generates electricity.

In the USA – unlike China, Japan and much of the developed world – nearly 50% of people have no local access to public passenger railways.

But national operator Amtrak is having an environmental renaissance.

Dennis Newman, Amtrak’s Executive VP, Strategy, Planning and Accessibility, has stated the Amtrak Connects US vision will expand services to over 160 new communities, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40% and using 100% carbon-free electricity by 2030.

Amtrak’s Diverse Vendor Database added almost 300 new diverse vendor profiles in 2021, a clear indication of the standards expected of suppliers of onboard products.

Circular lessons All hospitality procurement must think more about reuse and recyclability within the supply chain and move to a circular economy.

For example, with over 400,000 sleeping car customers annually, Amtrak’s replacement of bed linen, towels and blankets included – commendably – sending over 100,000 old items to charity. This diverts tonnes of textiles from landfill.

But imagine the environmental benefits if materials were reusable at the point of re-manufacture. Companies like Kaelis are now offering sustainable and reusable material options at scale. This should encourage more circular-use solutions in the future.

The change imperative The message is clear. The temperature is rising and the pressure is on railways to continue delivering change.

Challenge the status quo and drive forward with sustainable solutions in everything you do. For the sake of the future, let’s make it work. •

From above: A Lumo train in the UK; a train operating a smooth and speedy service

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Egg-cellent taste

... natural ingredients.

Gut Springenheide GmbH • Weiner 152 • 48607 Ochtrup • Germany Tel. +49 (0) 25 53/10 22 • Fax 10 25 • E-Mail: info@gutspringenheide.de

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Tipples with a difference JAMES E. PEPPER 1776 BOURBON Based in Lexington, Kentucky, the James E. Pepper distillery is a National Historic Landmark that reopened in 2017. The distillery’s sustainability awards are backed by double gold at the 2021 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. jamesepepper.com

BONE IDYLL AGED RUM Established by a husband and wife team, Bone Idyll is based in Kingston upon Thames in the UK and creates small batch spirits.

Empty bottles can be refilled from the still. The Aged Rum has notes of cacao and peach. boneidyll.co.uk

From minimising waste to eco-conscious packaging, April Waterston and Stuart Forster look at six tasty alcoholic drinks with sustainable credentials to boot

DELIRIUM TREMENS

NICE CANNED WINE

This strong blond beer is produced in the East Flanders region of Belgium.

The Huyghe Brewery uses green energy, locally produced malt and has reduced water consumption while brewing outstanding beers. delirium.be

The vision at NICE is to make environmentally conscious wine products for everyone and every occasion. The female-led business is served in Virgin Atlantic’s Economy and Premium Economy cabins. nice-drinks.co.uk

RESPIRITED VODKA Haymans Gin produces this vodka using rescued grain spirit from its gin’s distillation and production process. The bottles are made from 100% recycled glass, and one per cent of profits from every bottle of this beverage sold is donated to waste reduction causes in the UK. haymansgin.com

SLING IT OUT STOUT Seven Bro7hers brew their Sling It Out Stout using upcycled Kellogg’s Coco Pops, as part of the cereal maker’s sustainability programme. They also brew a Throw Away IPA made with leftover Corn Flakes. sevenbro7hers.com

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16 / FOCUS ON

A labour of passion Stuart Forster takes a look at Castello Monte Vibiano’s long-term commitment to sustainability…

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he Castello di Monte Vibiano is a historic property topping a hill on a 282-acre estate in Italy's Umbria region. Wine was first produced more than 2,200 years ago on the estate that has been home to the Fasolo Bologna family for six generations. 1998 proved to be a key year in their company’s history.

That was when it first partnered with an airline to offer olive oil to First and Business Class passengers. Its single-serve portions are now available aboard more than 20 airlines. It was also the year that the company’s 360 Green Revolution project began; the goal was to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions.

Commitment to sustainability “Castello Monte Vibiano was committed to sustainability long before it became fashionable or was widespread,” says Claudio Castiglioni, Brand Manager at Castello Monte Vibiano. The multiyear process of moving towards the objective, without carbon offsetting, involved examining all aspects of the

business. Many actions were taken, first winery to collaborate with the including installing photovoltaic panels, Italian Ministry of the Environment switching to biodiesel and changing to be certified as sustainable,” adds how the land was cared for.

Castiglioni of certification won in 2012.

In 2009 the estate became the world’s Yet wine is just 20% of the estate’s first agricultural business to receive agricultural output. 80% is olive oil.

ISO 14064 certification, Nurturing recognising its carbon biodiversity is neutrality. A panel important and 13 above the cellar types of indigenous Strategic choices are olive trees grow entrance now made to ensure the on the estate. displays how much business remains energy the estate Pressings release sustainable produces naturally. extra virgin oil and Strategic choices water. The water are made to ensure the business was long poured onto fields but remains sustainable. Bottles are chosen laboratory research discovered the because of their weight and associated liquid is a rich source of the antioxidant efficiencies. Packing materials are Hydroxytyrosol. It is used to produce a recyclable and reusable. Goods are line of beauty products with that name. shipped by sea to minimise the “We have a product that is second to company’s carbon footprint. none,” says Castiglioni referring to the quality of the olive oil produced on the sustainably managed estate. • Sustainable viniculture montevibiano.it/en “Castello Monte Vibiano was the

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YOU ARE THE MUESLI TO MY YOGHURT Foodcase International is a food Innovation, sourcing, production and supply chain company with sustainability and consciousness at the core of our operations.

Active in the transport industry for the greater part of more than 10 years. Her partners are already making large strides into a more sustainable model regarding F&B onboard.

Foodcase now introduces the first Ambient Natural yoghurt with Muesli in sustainable cup! Perfect for buy on board programs or as an economy class treat in the morning. The Yoghurt and the Meusli themselves are high in nutritional values and are suitable vegetarians as well. This breakfast in a ¨pot¨ is the perfect solution for airlines who often times need to load fresh items, most of which goes to waste, and for passengers on the fly who opt for a healthier lifestyle.

A great example of Foodcase’s treats with a conscience is their brand new Yoghurt and Meusli pot. Breakfast options are always difficult for each buy on board program. Airlines are struggling to source a good and healthy solution which avoids food waste as usually breakfast options are mostly fresh or frozen.

“Treats with a conscience”

The packaging aims to used recycled or recyclable materials and the contents of the package are ambient stable for up to 6 months!

This solution largely reduces food waste as this can be reloaded on-board until it is sold.

FOODCASE INTERNATIONAL BV Bronland 12L-1

The Netherlands

6708WH Wageningen

info@foodcase.nl +31 317450604

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/ RECRUITMENT AND DEVELOPMENT

Sustainability in recruitment Business Advisor and Executive Search Specialist, Mike Pooley, says that embracing sustainable values will help attract talent and is increasingly important to the future success of businesses…

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engagement and learning” and highly appreciates ustainability is an expanding topic that her own role at SATS enables her to “play in with many touch points. In this a stream of sustainable activity.” case, let’s consider the workplace.

Although challenging in scope, and certainly In particular, how the impact and there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution, Sarah level of awareness that a company’s focus on recognises that engaging across a company a sustainability agenda can provide career like SATS and providing more awareness and choices and, in turn, influence and steer them. education can ensure that the aspiring managers We recognise essential travel, cementing of today become the alert leaders of tomorrow. key business relationships and meeting our That requires a highly motivated, accountable commercial objectives as being business critical mindset committed to a strategy and mission of in the aviation community. We also realise that developing longer term sustainable resolutions. having pride in performance and a strong sense of achievement is integral to advancing our careers and increasing job satisfaction.

B Corp However, when we look at filling an open or As far back as 2004, the UN called on all types of a new position, or joining a new organisation, business to embrace an ESG culture in its Who are the next generation of graduates or rising Cares Wins initiative. The establishment of B stars expecting more from Corp certification was one job search and placements key result. Sarah adds that in terms of being a right over 1,500 UK businesses, fit culturally and gaining including Monty’s Bakehouse, a smooth passage into The aspiring managers of now pursue or have a working environment today become the alert achieved their accreditations. more equipped to provide No matter whether it is leaders of tomorrow better practices in meeting seen as ‘too much hard sustainable and eco-friendly work’ or ‘reputationally objectives? essential’ when it is To consider this question, I turned to the cascaded down in an organisation, employees sector’s working communities. In particular, and managers involved in implementation are to two highly informed and articulate far better educated as a result and can become spokespersons. Their comments and insights deeply invested in retaining a B Corp status. have provided a real substance and transparency So why sign up for a role in a sustainably as to why a sustainable working environment focused business? One reason is you are going and agenda is now a major focus for their own to find yourself amongst likeminded people. As roles, the work they carry out, and also a vital a result, that means more collaborating, and enabler in meeting their career aspirations. adding tangible value through your actions.

Continuing this timely discussion is Saskya Liney, Sustainability Champion at From Now, a CSR and ESG newly formed venture involved in identifying, Sarah Gobind-Cook, Sustainability Executive facilitating and communicating the type of at SATS, reminds us that corporate social change needed to create a sustainable future for responsibility (CSR) plus Environmental, Social hospitality, leisure and events. Saskya is at the and Governance (ESG) programmes are not new. cutting edge of moving her own parent company They have been evolving and gathering pace – emc3, the established global events business over the years. Such programmes now provide – to the forefront of promoting a new set of ecobusinesses of all sizes and ambitions with priorities for companies and business travellers. frameworks to aid sustainable decision making, It is a customer base which recognises that mass and credentials which address the increasingly events and collaborative working spaces must concerning state of our planet. be increasingly environmentally conscious and Sarah is typical of new group of strong viable to be sustainable. advocates for a people-based business Both Saskya and Sarah reference the triple community. She feels “passionate about onboardhospitality.com

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20

/ RECRUITMENT AND DEVELOPMENT

bottom line (TBL) objectives of economic, social and environmental credibility within a company’s mission. “Job applicants are more and more interested in a company’s values and culture, and seek to find positions at more environmentally conscious organisations in order to align their career path with their personal values,” says Saskya.

The key for employees is to connect and appeal to new starters by being honest and transparent.

That connection starts by both parties sensing that each other is a good fit. “I strive to work with brands that I 100% trust and can be proud to support,” adds Saskya.

CSR, ESG and B Corp are frameworks now embraced by many companies to encourage and promote better practice. But the pace of the accreditation processes and the capacity to represent, uphold and secure these values over time will be determined by a top-down approach from leadership and implementation by a team of dedicated people who will ensure long-term sustainable development.

Recruiting and developing this cluster of talented and committed individuals seems a key element in staying ahead and having the capability to meet the levels of tight scrutiny and clear integrity now demanded as evidence of good business practice and performance.

Tips for driving the agenda • Define a clear social purpose for your business through strategy, leadership and culture. Make the topic accessible and meaningful to all and share it.

• Review and continue to revisit your workplace best practices. Do they align with your sustainable goals? Are they fully

Make sustainability a key part of recruiting and onboarding programmes transparent and understood?

• Make sustainability a key part of the recruiting and onboarding programmes. Increasingly, many talented next generation individuals will not be interested in joining your team if the values and aspirations they personally uphold are not evident in the description of the open position or the culture of the business, as advised through its value statements.

• Provide training and advise. Specialism is always required but be inclusive and broad across the organisation in positively exposing employees to the values of working in more eco-smart ways.

• Identify easy, tangible wins. Not all businesses strive for formal accreditations like B Corp but how your unit upholds sustainable values is a positive step forward – look towards big businesses such as M&S, Nestle, Unilever and IBM for inspiration.

• Incentivise employees. Add recognition and achievements in this area to the key performance indicators (KPIs) and annual objectives and always promote employee ideation. There is a lot of wins for human resources and CSR professionals to add to their agenda in this context.

• Nurture ownership. Everyone can engage and help out. Elect and promote sustainability champions and ambassadors. Stage events and set up campaigns in the office and the community beyond. This will often attract new joiners because the culture will be appealing.

• Provide voluntary support. B Corp requires work in the community and education space.

Getting out to experience making changes for good builds commitment as well as both pride and resourcefulness. •

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SUSTAINABLE FABRICS / 21

The fabrics of society Stuart Forster talks with industry experts to examine trends in the use of sustainable fabrics…

ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/FASCINADORA

W

hen it comes to fabrics used onboard, innovation is ongoing to improve sustainable credentials.

“With advanced technology, recycled products today have some amazing finishings which can easily replace the comfort of virgin fabrics,” says Manoj Pridhanani, Chief Design Officer and Head of Sustainability at Kaelis. “Our Metamorphosis Blanket, for example, is made up of 26 plastic bottles, a transformation we could not have imagined a decade ago.”

Whatever the fabric, it is paramount that products used onboard fulfil the trinity of being functional, comfortable and sustainable. While aircraft and fuel choices play a major role in

reducing airlines’ carbon footprints, onboard products add up and contribute.

Kenny Harmel, Watermark’s Managing Partner, goes as far as saying: “Every customer that we are speaking to is prioritising sustainability across all product lines in all cabins. It's a key priority for both airlines and suppliers, and we're constantly working together on new ways to meet the demand for more eco-friendly products.”

“We are seeing far more natural fabric, such as cottons, bamboo and Lyocell, as well as 100% recycled material such as rPET and nylons,” he observes, explaining that it is important to look at everything from a material’s provenance to what happens at the end of its life to understand the true environmental impact of a fabric and

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22 / SUSTAINABLE FABRICS

determine how to improve it. Efforts to satisfy sustainability concerns while delivering products that meet budgets are underpinning innovation.

He argues that, ultimately, an item made from virgin material that is reused for many years can be regarded as more sustainable than a product made from recycled material that is used just once.

The importance of looking beyond simply the material used in the fabric is accentuated

by Alison Wells, a Co-Founder of Plane Talking Products: “You've got to look at the whole thing around how it's processed, how it's harvested, where it's coming from and how quickly is it growing. If it's waste fibres – so waste that would possibly previously have been burned or thrown away under normal circumstances – then I think it's a good thing if you can somehow flex that and use it.”

Plane Talking Products has a range of bamboobased textiles, including blankets, duvets and sheets. And rPET is proving flexible. “There is a huge range of finishes and design applications available with rPET and we have been working hard to pull together different design options that could work in all classes of travel,” explains Wells.

Topical tastes It seems nowadays that the sky's the limit when it comes to which natural materials can be repurposed into fabric. Fabrics created from coconut husks and algae are being used. Leather derived from mushrooms, apple, banana and even cactuses have entered production. They take organic waste and repurpose it into elegant fabric.

Inevitably, the fabric used to create onboard products varies by cabin. Sarah Klatt-Walsh, Sustainability Lead at FORMIA, explains that fruitbased fabrics such as apple leather and Piñatex, a synthetic leather featuring fibres from pineapple leaves, and has seen an upsurge in use to make First Class amenity kits: “These niche materials tend to be feasible here due to the smaller volumes and higher budgets involved.”

Klatt-Walsh suggests that the social links with communities involved in the production process count among the most interesting recent developments in fabrics. That encompasses the people who collect plastics from beaches that are used as raw material and artisans who produce fabrics.

“The recent Delta amenity kits with Mexicobased B Corp Someone Somewhere, a partnership facilitated by FORMIA, is one example of the latter. Generating jobs for over 250 people across Mexico’s most vulnerable states, the collaboration provides social and economic support for underprivileged communities, and even enabled a direct connection between the passenger and the artisan who created their kit via a QR code on the bag,” she explains.

FORMIA’s Sustainability Lead says that there is lots to watch out for in the near future, including high-technology, synthetic fabrics and 3-D printed fabrics.

1 re ma

Photos: Products used aboard aircraft are derived from both recycled and natural materials, including leather made in Scotland.

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Sustainable technologies “Sustainable technologies are being developed and airlines should be considering products such as SkyLeather for their interior solutions,” urges Sohaib Ahmed, Programme Manager – Interiors at AJW Interiors, the product’s sole distributor. “It is free from harmful chemicals and does not contain any polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or phthalates, making it a safer and healthier choice for both passengers and the environment.”

Made from water-based polyurethane, SkyLeather is a durable and flexible material that can be used to create a range of products. “This innovative alternative to natural leather is 25% lighter than hide leather, which can significantly reduce aircraft weight and hence reduce aircraft fuel consumption and the environmental impact of the airline using it,” adds Ahmed.

Natural choices

100% recycled material

Archie Browning, Sales Director at Muirhead, points out that his company has developed a lightweight leather called LightCore, which is already used to create aircraft seating. It is onethird lighter than standard leather but the same thickness.

“Cattle are raised for the food industry, for beef, so you've got a choice. The hide either goes to landfill, which is a terrible solution, or we turn it into a product that can carry passengers 16 hours a day for seven years and be used as a seating material. All the animals are grass-fed which helps

keep down the impact on the environment,” says Browning.

The team at rohi has noted a fusion of residential and aviation aesthetics, with a comfortable, homely feel in aircraft cabins becoming important. “Natural upholstery fabrics, such as finest virgin wool, are giving passengers a great sense of wellbeing,” says Kathrin Ott, Senior Designer – Aircraft Textiles.

Meanwhile, Wolfgang Bücherl, Managing Director of skysupply, intimates that selecting even a sustainable natural fabric such as cotton means weighing up the pros and cons relating to the environmental impact. “You need a lot of water to get the cotton,” he says of the production process.

Circularity is key Alex Allen, Design Manager at John Horsfall, notes that eco-friendly initiatives and recycled materials have evolved from being an additional choice to, instead, becoming an essential consideration. It’s also important to utilise textile waste initiatives, improve textile circularity and embrace the use of plant-based inks for dyes and printing.

“One area where we have definitely seen change is the move away from fabrics with high fibre-shedding issues; stemming from a growing concern of micro-fibres polluting the water systems. A move towards traditional woven items with tightly spun yarn can help the environment by dramatically reducing the micro-fibres being released from the product, in comparison to an alternative item such as fleece,” says Allen.

“While textiles and aviation will always be environmentally impactful, we work within our own business and with our airline clients to help them make the most sustainable choices they can. Encouraging our customers to choose well-made, considerately sourced, long-lasting products which can be safely reused time and time again; therefore, reducing the amount of textiles heading to landfill,” she adds, explaining that a well-made woven blanket, which can be hygienically cleaned and looks good when re-used, is an environmentally sustainable choice over a low-quality, short-life alternative.

Choices remain abundant but in modern business, it’s evident that responsible, long-term thinking has to be a factor in decision-making. •

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24 / IN CONVERSATION

Reinventing Watermark AN INTERVIEW WITH KENNY HARMEL

Watermark’s Managing Partner discusses the company formerly known as Galileo-Watermark with April Waterston and Stuart Forster

Q. Please tell us about your

company.

A : Watermark is one of the oldest aviation product suppliers in the world. We have been around since 1980 and currently do work or have worked, in some capacity, with every airline in the world.

We’re one of the very few suppliers that can design, source and manufacture pretty much any product that a passenger can interact with. So if you were to take an aircraft and turn it upside down, we’re able to design and supply anything that falls out – textile products, meal service items like porcelain, glassware, stainless steel, and, of course, amenity kits.

That is what Watermark has been associated with, and famous for, for over 40 years.

Watermark is associated with many iconic products on board, including the Anya Hindmarch amenity kit which is still recognised as one of the most cherished and celebrated amenity kits of all time.

Ian [Linaker] and I started Galileo Products in 2012, which was a smaller company doing very similar things but around creating curated experiences for passengers and trying to drive the industry forward in terms of sustainability...the opportunity arose in 2016 to acquire Watermark and

became Galileo-Watermark.

We decided during COVID to revert back to Watermark and rebrand.

Q. How important is

sustainability?

A : We see being sustainable as an obligation rather than a choice.

Wherever possible, airlines are seeking to make the change to more sustainable materials. It is, ultimately however, still driven by cost, which is why we’re constantly working on innovations to balance budgetary and environmental requirements.

We see being sustainable as an obligation rather than a choice We’ve long been associated with sustainable industry firsts. Watermark launched the first RPET products onboard an airline; the first bamboo product; we launched the lightest and purest glassware in the world; we launched cosmetic packaging made from ocean-recycled plastics. We really do try and drive innovation.

It’s important to look at a material’s provenance through to its end of life to understand it’s true impact and

to determine how to improve it. An item made from virgin material that is reused for many years is more sustainable than a product made from recycled material used just once.

Q. Was it hard to get rid of Galileo?

A : What was more important is what we created and what we became synonymous with over that time.

Watermark has such a long-standing heritage, and is renowned for so many different things in the industry.

The brand was grounded in simplicity, innovation, technology and really rooted in sustainability.

Sustainability touches everything, not just material, but financial sustainability. That was the foundation for the brand.

Q. What have you been doing since 2020?

A : Over the last couple of years we’ve been working very closely with clients.

COVID gave us an opportunity to take a step back and think about how the industry is going to change over the next five to 10 years? That was really interesting for us and where we could learn quite a bit.

We’ve been doing a huge amount of work behind the scenes on how we as a company can be more sustainable.

To be ultimately sustainable requires

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IN CONVERSATION / 25

a completely different approach and thought process. To introduce something that the industry isn’t thinking of or isn’t orthodox – that’s the exciting stuff.

It goes beyond just material choice – where they are sourced, how they are created and farmed. It means looking at how the product is packed, shipped and, ultimately, the end of its life.

You’ve got to completely rethink sustainability from the ground up, from start to finish, and make sure that every person within the organisation is looking at what they do and how they do it with sustainability in mind.

Q. What sets Watermark apart?

A : We will never enter into a new project or opportunity with designs in mind. We always listen to the requirements of our partners and what they’re looking for.

We like to bring newness and cherrypick a handful of curated ideas, that we feel align closely with the airline that we’re working with. We’re always trying to infuse innovation and the trends that we’re seeing.

It’s our detailed approach and our consideration for each opportunity that separates us.

Q. What do you want to achieve

through rebranding?

A : The main goals for the rebrand are to remind people of what Watermark is famous for. We want to be seen as a problem-solving partner.

We want to move away from being a design and product partner and supplier, and instead become an extension of the airline.

The industry has certainly come forward a long way. Different challenges present themselves and old ideas no longer fit. We’ve got to evolve with how the industry and airlines are evolving. We need to adopt thoughts offering solutions to those challenges. •

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26 / BETTER XXXXX PROCESSES AND PRACTICES

The

SUSTAIN

ability challenge Founder of IN Air Travel Experience, Anne de Hauw, discusses some of the issues that airlines must address while becoming sustainable…

T

he airline industry is showing signs of recovery and surprising resurgence.

This is unfolding against a new sort of customer behaviour. Issues like health, wellness and sustainability are top of mind in customer expectations and guiding travel decisions.

The world is adapting to hybrid working models and people are spending their leisure time differently. The travel industry is undergoing evolution. This is why we must adapt to new norms and remain relevant to customers.

Two-thirds of customers say they are willing to spend more to ensure trips are eco-friendly or minimise negative environmental impact.

Consequently, airlines are addressing ecofriendly customers.

Airlines are looking to engage audiences practising sustainable behaviours at home and

while travelling. These behaviours matter for the environment and customers’ social and economic decisions. This is why more and more companies are increasingly building a sustainable business – to please customers while protecting the planet.

It's over to companies to find what is acceptable to customers and to find creative ways of compensating their footprints. That could be by paying by miles or exchanging their baggage allowance or meal to offset carbon emissions.

Industry collaboration is needed in order to accelerate the development of offsetting.

Decarbonising aviation Holistically, airlines need to try to achieve net zero. The aviation industry accounts for approximately 2% of the world's emissions. The increasingly negative effects of climate change, highlighted by COP15 and COP27, have made

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decarbonisation a top priority for many airlines.

Demand reduction may be part of the answer.

Some customers consider reducing their number of trips and are ramping up pressure on the sector to reduce carbon emissions. In response, IATA member airlines have committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

This pledge brings air transport in line with the objectives of the Paris Agreement to limit global warming.

Achieving that will rely on the combined effects of multiple emission reduction measures, including the accelerated adoption of innovative aircraft technologies, streamlined flight operations and increased production and adoption of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) in the short to medium term.

SAF represents the greatest opportunity to decarbonise as it is already commercially available. It can be easily blended with conventional kerosene without technical adaptations to aircraft engines. Demand is there but, because of the high costs compared to fossil-based fuel, scaling up production is needed.

The adoption of SAF will require cross-industry and government action. Laws must be changed.

Waste to fuel

and governments need to review and ease regulations, so that waste can be used to produce SAF. Companies such as Neste and Epic Fuels are working with Airbus and Boeing, respectively, and some airlines. Governments are also investing in those kinds of sustainable fuels.

Hydrogen or battery-powered electric aircraft will start entering the market by 2030. In the shorter term, carbon offsets are required as a bridge to fund the early stages of decarbonisation.

Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) requires airlines to offset any growth and CO2 emissions from international routes above 2019 levels.

The scope is to stabilise emissions while other reduction measures are pursued. These include the development of new technologies, sustainable operations and SAF.

Purpose…plus profit

The key challenge is always to balance profit and purpose, costs and budgets and investments required without a bottom-line return other than the planet. It is crucial to find ways for airlines to reconcile sustainability and profitability and to debunk It is crucial to find ways the myths that leaders have for airlines to reconcile to choose between profits sustainability and and purpose.

Meat-derived components of profitability international catering waste (ICW) generated on flights are subject to regulation in Many businesses have places such as Australia, Canada, the European already infused Union, New Zealand and US. Some jurisdictions, sustainability across including the US, extend the ICW definition to their strategies. They include fruit and vegetables. ICW often includes are growing their contaminated food waste, so is incinerated, bottom line and autoclaved or goes into deep landfill. increasing long-term Recently, along with other experts, I've been viability. This is step exploring if we can divert food waste or waste number one. Some coming from airlines as a feedstock for SAF. SAF leaders are actively is usually made from waste and residue fats, oils making sustainability and greases produced by hydroprocessing esters part of their DNA and and fatty acids (HEFA). If you make its production driving cultural change. circular, aeroplanes fly more sustainably.

Those companies have Scaling up production is limited by the long-term benefits, both availability of sustainable biomass feedstock. from a profit as well as a Waste coming off aircraft needs to be segregated onboardhospitality.com

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28 / BETTER XXXXX PROCESSES AND PRACTICES

purpose perspective.

Companies waiting for legislation before they take action will have a lot of catching up to do. It will be tough to convince customers that they have embedded purpose in their operation are not just profit-driven.

The impact of reducing the number of meals loaded onboard or removing a magazine that weighs 200 to 250 grams, multiplied by the number of passengers, does have an impact on the weight of aircraft and flight.

You can explain to customers why they have a digital menu and a digital magazine. You can explain it because you can demonstrate the carbon emissions you're offsetting. Storytelling by removing magazines and reducing the number of meals loaded, or having lighter seats is geared towards the customer.

Incremental change Every baby step adds up. We should not minimise the impact of small initiatives. Engaging with customers before flights would help reduce what is loaded. Customers can make a difference by pre-ordering meals, minimising luggage and reusing amenities. We should embrace initiatives where – as a community – customers, flight attendants and airlines work together for a more sustainable future.

Suppliers use compostable, recyclable or recycled materials. They are introducing

circularity. They are great initiatives but shouldn't we start with scrutiny of what is flying today and examine whether everything on board is really needed?

By the time an aircraft takes off, many stakeholders have been involved in making a commercial flight viable. That includes suppliers, grounds handlers, caterers and flight attendants.

It requires collaboration to minimise operational impacts and achieve results.

Back to the customer Customer needs must be put in a central position and catered to. That means being listened to and curated. In the future, customers will be in the driver's seat in the sense they will only want to work with companies or book flight tickets with airlines that share their goals and commitments.

Consequently, airlines need to build deeper connections with their customers, and also with the planet in order to curate relevant experiences.

It's going to require vision and connections to reach the destination. There will be a price and it will require commitment to sustainability. That relates not just to the planet but also the sustainability of social and operational commitments.

Wanderlust will win over flight shaming. And as an industry we need to see this time of change as an opportunity to build deep connections with both our customers and our planet. in-atx.com •

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Sustainable Inflight Products Products Worth Flying For

For more information on our extensive range of onboard products, please contact us: T +44 (0)1962 761747 E info@planetalking.net www.planetalking.net Plane Talking Products Limited

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3/13/23 02:36 PM

ADVERTORIAL

TydenBrooks T

Paul Perry discusses the sustainable initiative launched by TydenBrooks, a company whose origins were in 1873 catering and duty-free carts. “We have worked closely with our customers and identified the day-to-day problems relating to theft and shrinkages. Each product forms a complete, tailored solution for the airline,” explains Paul.

The company’s tamper-evident Hawk Seal consists of a reusable padlock with a metal hasp, that is resistant to corrosion from the washing cycles of the carts. The HawkLock reusable padlock houses the disposable HawkSeal, which can be made in various colours for each part of the inflight catering operation. Each seal is laser marked with the airline’s branding and sequential number. The Hawkseal has several mechanisms to help the product stay strong during cart movements to and from the aircraft

to the airport bonds. Once sealed the HawkSeal can only be opened when cabin crew break off to open the cart.

On the sustainability side, the material that is used to produce the HawkSeal is the part that we’re collecting.

There are security seals companies that say they’ve produced biodegradable security seals, using a bio pellet in the injection mould process to form the seal. These competitors have told customers you can throw the seals on the floor or dump them into landfill and the seals will degrade.

We could have taken this approach as well, but these statements are not true.

Biodegradable materials can be only sent to a special certified landfill site designed for degrading compostable plastic materials. Even here the

ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/PIXTUM

ydenBrooks is celebrating its 150th anniversary during 2023. E.J. Brooks was originally known as a lead toy manufacturer in New York City and soon became America’s first security seal manufacturer.

TydenBrooks remains a first-class global innovator of security seals, which owns and controls five strategic manufacturing sites around the globe.

“A lot of the security seals that are being used across industries around the world today, will have evolved from an original TydenBrooks part or patent,” says Paul Perry, Head of Marketing, Internal Sales – EMEA. Relating to inflight catering operations, TydenBrooks designs and produces a range of security seals, specifically for

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ADVERTORIAL

the used/broken seals are brought back and placed in the sacks at the warehouse bonds. The full sack is dropped into an octabin made of recycled cardboard. When full, it’s collected by our recycling partner.

The contents are weighed, put through a grinder turned into smaller pellets which are sold on to make things like garden furniture, school chairs, school tables, traffic cones, even washbowl basins. The goal of TydenGreen is to prevent them from being dropped into general landfill. This is what we believe to be the true way in operating a degradation can take over 140 years, sustainable security solution for and some competitors’ seals have metal our customers. inserts in them so the seal can’t be Since the start of the pilot scheme biodegradable. involving easyJet and Dnata at Gatwick After 225 days of conducting testing Airport, over a million used Hawk Seals of our own security seals, our R&D were collected, weighing 3.2 tonnes – department concluded a biodegradable the equivalent of a large pickup truck. security seal was not the appropriate “The goal of TydenGreen is to prevent solution. It was not efficient enough. used seals from being The biosphere pellets dumped into general couldn’t penetrate landfill. That is what and break down we believe to be the the seals. Even with This simple, circular true way of operating 30% added into the injection mould process...TydenGreen sustainably for our process, rather than is a fully recyclable, customers… We’ve been challenged by the recommended reusable solution some of the biggest 1%, it still didn’t work. airlines in the world We had a duty of care to support them in reaching their net to our customers and decided on an zero targets. Our way of doing that is by alternative solution. making sure that every airline has been Working with the British introduced to the TydenGreen scheme. government, Environment Agency, Wherever they are in the world, we’ve DEFRA and the BSI, we developed a got a model or a framework to follow,” model and an alternative process that says Paul of the initiative. would deal with green-washing and “We want to make sure that plastic seal waste. This simple circular people are taking sustainability process, called TydenGreen, is a fully more seriously and make recyclable, reusable solution. The sure that we’re doing our scheme offers economic benefits to part to raise awareness and companies who are required to pay take action,” says Paul about the plastic tax tariffs, which came into TydenBrooks. TydenBrooks will be force on April 1 2022. exhibiting TydenGreen at WTCE Currently, we are in partnership with along with our complete inflight easyJet to roll the TydenGreen scheme catering security solutions. out across UK airports. We’ve created a reusable sack with inspection windows, tydenbrooks.co.uk • to prevent cross-contamination. All

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32 / sustainable cruising

Cruising towards

I

Stuart Forster looks at the adoption of sustainable practices and policies by cruise lines…

n February, Monterey City Council, in California, voted to cease offering incoming cruise ships passenger landing services.

It was argued that environmental risks to Monterey Bay outweighed financial benefits brought by cruise tourists. Indicating that cruise ships are not desired, Monterey's vote follows in the wake of debates elsewhere about the environmental impact of cruise ships and cruiserelated mass tourism in destinations such as Venice, Italy, and Barcelona, Spain.

The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has already developed voluntary standards for environmental responsibility, covering matters such as greywater discharge, which exceed those outlined by the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL).

Environmental awareness And broader change is afoot in the cruise industry according to Andy Harmer, CLIA’s UK

and Ireland Managing Director: "Cruise lines are increasingly including environmental education in their communications, marketing and onboard offerings – and that is increasing awareness of the importance of environmental protection and advancing a green agenda. 84% of people who have cruised in the past 12 months are more aware of the importance of the environment than they were before they cruised."

In turn, shifting sensibilities among customers mean that cruise operators look set to benefit from adopting more sustainable practices.

"50% of cruisers and those open to cruise say they are more committed to making travel decisions based on environmental impacts than they were three years ago,” says Harmer.

Commitment to responsibility Swan Hellenic has made a commitment to responsible cruising with the company’s sustainability policies reaching beyond a purely

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sustainable cruising / 33

beers, wines, spirits and speciality foods are sourced locally to support local economies environmental focus to six areas embracing the broader United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. They include equality, diversity and inclusion policies that promote equal opportunities for employment and professional development, “irrespective of gender, ethnicity, culture, religion, age, sexual orientation, functional ability and political view.”

Relating to provisioning, Swan Hellenic states that the fish and seafood served aboard its vessels meets World Wildlife Foundation-approved sustainability criteria. And a selection of beers, wines, spirits and speciality foods are sourced locally to support local economies and reduce the carbon footprint of sourcing food and drink.

Founded in 1954 – 62 years before the city council in Darebin, Australia, became the first governing authority in the world to declare a climate emergency – Swan Hellenic operates expedition cruises. SH Minerva was launched in 2021 and followed by SH Vega in 2022. A third state-of-the-

art expedition ship, SH Diana, is scheduled to join the fleet in the middle of this year.

Plastic policy Inside their staterooms, passengers will find toiletries and soaps that are free from ingredients such as cocamide, parabens and silicone. They are dispensed from recycled plastic units in line with the strategy, now widespread within the cruise industry, of minimising single-use plastics.

That extends to using refillable water bottles in staterooms and carafes in restaurants, minimising packaging and using paper rather than plastic straws.

The cruise line operates a paperless policy but prints on forest-certified or recycled paper when necessary. The Swan Hellenic phone app and supply of information via smart televisions in staterooms support that policy.

Interiors are decorated prioritising materials that are sustainably certified and natural or recycled

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Clockwise: European river cruising is growing in popularity; An elegant ship interior; Stateroom aboard a Sea Cloud vessel

34 / sustainable cruising

and recyclable. Textiles and surface coverings, meanwhile, are low-solvent. They are cleaned with biodegradable products made from materials of natural origin.

And when it comes to uniform fabrics for Swan Hellenic crew members, the use of fleece fabrics is avoided as they shed high volumes of microplastics while being washed.

Wind-powered sailing Cruising is often associated with ‘floating hotels’ capable of housing thousands of guests but is a diverse industry offering a broad variety of experiences and ship sizes. Sea Cloud Cruises operates sailing ships that, whenever possible, unfurl their sails to make use of the renewable energy source long associated with powering seafaring. “The principles of gentle tourism and sustainable trade have been inscribed on the DNA of Sea Cloud Cruises ever since its inception over 40 years ago,” says Anja Ringel, the company’s Director, International Sales & Marketing.

Its 32-cabin flagship, the windjammer Sea Cloud, was launched in 1931. According to Ringel, it is a manifestation of Sea Cloud Cruises' commitment to sustainability. That is reflected in onboard details such as reusable glass drinking straws at the onboard bar and menus featuring ingredients purchased by chefs at local markets.

Special relationship

Above from left: Dutch windmills seen while cruising; A Travelmarvel stateroom; sun loungers for Sea Cloud guests; Cruising on a European river

“Shipping companies and crews maintain a special relationship with the regions that our ships visit.

It’s taken as read that everyone treats the people there, their culture and nature with respect.

Wherever possible too, the shipping company cooperates with local partners so that the value chain of each trip includes the people ashore and does not simply stop at the railing,” adds Ringel.

That and the relatively small size of Sea Cloud Cruises’ vessels means the ships are “always onboardhospitality.com

welcome” in ports such as Barcelona, Dubrovnik and Venice.

APT is a luxury river, small ship and expedition cruise specialist. Its sister brand, Travelmarvel, offers a flexible four-star and value alternative, including river cruises on the Nile and Ganges.

“The way that river cruise lines manage their procurement can have a big part to play in the creation of a socially responsible travel model.

River ships are smaller than their ocean-faring cousins, meaning that they have reduced space for storing consumable goods on board. As we dock in different towns and cities along the rivers for our guests to explore, our chefs are also stepping ashore to source local produce from suppliers and markets throughout the cruise,” says Brad Bennetts, APT and Travelmarvel’s Head of Sales and Business Development.

He explains: “This has myriad benefits. Not only do our guests get to enjoy the very freshest ingredients and sample truly local specialities from the regions they sail through, but the company’s F&B investment directly benefits the communities that we visit, allowing us to support independent producers and protect their artisanal techniques and cultural heritage.”

“We do all we can to create responsible travellers.

One way in which we achieve this is by encouraging our guests to explore beyond the tourist traps, spending their currency in a way that will directly benefit the local economy,” he adds, pointing out that the structure of cruises reinforces that. They are not all-inclusive and dock overnight on Adriatic islands during Croatian yachting itineraries which enable guests to visit local restaurants and bars.

“While enjoying these magical moments, our guests are directly supporting the economies of these beautiful places, contributing towards their longevity. It’s a win for everyone,” says Bennetts.

Could widespread application of such thinking help Monterey City Council reassess its decision? •

FOCUS ON / 35

Ethical cruising Stuart Forster talks with Ambassador Cruise Line’s Bob McGowan about sustainability aboard the UK-based line, whose first sailing was in April 2022

E

thical and sustainable cruising are pillars of the Ambassador brand. The company’s first ship, Ambience, is in the top 10-15% of environmentally sustainable ships. Her sister ship, Ambition, will come into service in May 2023.

Ambassador’s no-fly cruises sail worldwide from the UK. Bob’s job is to ensure guests have a memorable time. “I look after the product offering onboard to ensure we meet and exceed our guests’ expectations whilst providing an authentic, premium-value cruising experience. I also manage turnarounds around the world, making sure that our ships are ready to welcome their next guests,” says the Head of Guest Experience.

Protecting the oceans “We believe that we have a responsibility to protect both our oceans and the destinations we visit.

So, we are on a mission to be among the most sustainable cruise lines in the business,” he explains.

Ambience exceeds the latest environmental standards, including no single-use plastic on board and energy-efficient engines. Since her first sailing in April 2022, Ambience’s emissions have been reduced by 95% by installing selective catalytic reduction units,

charities and partners that support our ethical and sustainable values, so that we can give back to the community and continue our journey towards a Conscious change more sustainable and ethical industry.

“Onboard, we have advanced sewage Our partners include ORCA – the installations and all our food pulpers charity dedicated have been replaced by to studying and biodigesters to break protecting whales, down food waste dolphins and into water and heat.

We have a porpoises – with We have installed responsibility to whom we launched bottle washers protect both our the first-ever onboard and our own oceans and the cruise Anti-Whaling still and sparkling destinations we visit campaign,” he adds. water bottling plant, Crew uniforms are ensuring guests feel created using sustainable materials. both responsible and hydrated. All the Ambassador is in the process of materials used in our arts and crafts producing a bespoke range that will classes are created with sustainable be launched in May on its new ship, materials,” says Bob, before revealing Ambition. Practical and comfortable that sustainable resources are also for the crew, they will, of course, used to create costumes and sets for incorporate the company’s colours. entertaining guests. ambassadorcruiseline.com • “We are also proud to work with

which convert harmful gases into inert nitrogen and water vapour.

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36 / CABIN WASTE

War on waste As pressure mounts for changes to International Catering Waste (ICW) regulations, Julie Baxter explores the barriers to cutting cabin waste now…

I

appropriate to assess whether this 20-year-old n the latest industry-wide cabin waste regulation is still fit for purpose and takes the EU’s initiative, 25 aviation signatories called targets for moving towards a fully circular economy for an urgent review of ICW regulations properly into consideration.”

– now seen as the biggest block to truly They urge the EU to undertake its own risk sustainable onboard hospitality. assessment with a view to reviewing the The relevant 2002 Animal By-Products legislation regulations. In the interim, they call on EU member classifies ICW as bio-hazardous waste that must be states to harmonise their guidance on the reuse incinerated or sent to deep landfill. This completely and recycling of airline waste. undermines sustainability initiatives onboard and Daniela Stange, is estimated, by IATA, to block Sustainability Manager at recycling or reuse of up to IATA, says: “The sector stands 40% of the 400,000-450,000 tonnes of Category 1 ICW Aviation's contribution ready to contribute towards generated each year. to the total sweep of CO2 the drafting of this guidance.

Industry engagement is high The collaborative lobbying emissions could grow but while inbound waste for an EU review highlights from 2% to 25% by 2050 goes to incineration there the Hazard Analysis and is little incentive for change.

Critical Control Point (HACCP) Smarter ICW regulations would result in less food safety protocols used by airline caterers and cabin waste, more material recovery, financial claims: “Given the sector’s robust food hygiene benefits and improved customer satisfaction whilst controls this biohazardous classification seems also supporting high animal health status and disproportionate.” contributing to the EU’s ambitious circular economy goals. ICW regulations and lack of harmonisation No risk assessment are the main stumbling block to progress.”

The EU Commission admitted in November that it has not undertaken any quantitative risk assessment of ICW but IATA’s own research EU contradictions showed no evidence that ICW has caused any It is hoped that if the contradictions in EU animal disease outbreak. IATA also identified regulations can be overcome, US regulations that the regulations directly prevent airlines from and the entire global environment for waste supporting EU ambitions for a circular economy could improve. and reduction of single-use plastic (SUP) usage.

In line with this lobbying, the Aviation The signatories say: “In line with the EU’s own Sustainability Forum (ASF) has appointed better regulation principles, it would seem only international consultancy Stonehaven and its onboardhospitality.com

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CABIN WASTE / 37

sustainability firm Robertsbridge to help drive plans to reduce cabin waste, standardise materials and improve circularity.

ASF Founder, Matt Crane says: “If aviation recovers to the predicted growth pre-pandemic and doubles by 2030 there will be 8.58bn passengers annually. If our sector does not successfully introduce strategies to reduce the carbon it generates, aviation’s contribution to the total sweep of CO2 emissions could grow from 2% to 25% by 2050.”

Beyond the ICW hurdles, collaboration with airports or local authorities to ensure waste management infrastructure will become key.

Currently, airports function differently depending on geographic location and local sensitivity to sustainability. There is no harmonisation on developing suitable recycling facilities globally.

Royal Schiphol Group supports ICW lobbying efforts and has trialled better recycling systems with KLM Catering Services and Suez, a waste

recycling and recovery specialist which took recyclables directly from the aircraft for segregation and onward recycling.

Gatwick Airport has worked with DHL Supply Chain to champion on-site waste management at a dedicated £3.8m plant with a segregation centre. It turns waste, including ICW and packaging, into on-site heating and powers a water recovery system. Prior to the pandemic it treated 2,200 tonnes of Category 1 waste a year, 20% of the airport’s total, but has the capability to process around 10 tonnes a day.

Defining responsibility Clear understanding of which parties are responsible for waste will be vital. Currently, waste management processers may pay a commission for certain waste. And where caterers are paid per tray item, business dynamics can disincentivise waste reduction.

Anne de Hauw, of IN Air Travel Experience, is

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38 / CABIN WASTE

working with experts in resource management, circular economy and energy transition to provide the susta.IN consulting service and believes technology has some answers.

Not an easy discussion She says: “Waste is not an easy discussion, the vested interests within the supply chain do not support fast progress but we have identified some potential areas for positive change. Endof-life material streams, both inside airports and elsewhere, are currently underutilised but may be suited for a thermal/chemical process which would improve environmental performance. We also see opportunities to source plastics for advanced recycling operations to provide ethylene to the suppliers of plastics materials, and have been working with Lufthansa Group caterers, including gategroup, to progress this. We have also identified plastics suppliers and advanced recyclers in Asia who would be suitable for this.”

The ultimate win-win she believes would be to link waste recycling with Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) made using biosolids, sustainable ethanol or recovered hydro-processed esters and fatty acids (HEFA). She adds: “We have identified opportunities, particularly in North America, to work with our partners to convert lower-margin and under-performing biosolid processing operations (such as composters and surplus ethanol producers) into SAF production facilities.”

She also sees opportunities to convert endof-life materials generated at airports, such as solvents and other liquid industrial wastes, to make renewable natural gas or hydrogen for on-site energy, using existing technologies. gategroup is developing a range of solutions, including an off-load analysis tool for airlines who want data insights into their waste, and has been investigating and testing new technologies which can process waste into material suitable for other industries such as construction, biogas, farming and composting.

New Global Head of ESG at gategroup, Yulia Bolotina, says: “We need to look for improvements all along the value chain.

Smarter ICW is crucial for our industry’s waste reduction efforts to make a real impact but there are still low-hanging

fruits we can tackle locally now – empowering the customer with data and collaborating to maximise the percentage of re- and up-cycled non-Category 1 waste, educating the passenger on how they can help, as well as designing low carbon menus for example. Sustainability needs have triggered the spark of creativity and new solutions will come as we work together. I am excited to see that.”

Packaging waste Focused on food packaging waste, deSter points to wider trends as a steer for aviation. Philippe De Naeyer, Director Sustainability at deSter, says: "We are committed to applying circular economy principles and focusing on reusable items that minimise waste. The current shift in food retail and takeaway regulations towards reusables is a clear sign that change is needed."

He accepts the need to clean reusable items at airports brings challenges. “Nevertheless, we are confident that change is on the way, and these installations will eventually come into place because food packaging at the airports (on the ground) falls under national rules and regulations, which more and more promote reusables. We’re committed to designing reusables across the system, including matching trolley equipment and reusable lids which optimise weight, space-saving and washing for smooth handling,” says De Naeyer.

He sees good existing recycling streams for cans and PET bottles but not for SUP food packaging.

“This is made of various materials, but only one is suitable for closed-loop recycling (PET).

Moreover, single-use plastic food packaging is often contaminated with food, making cleaning a challenge,” he explains.

As reusables cannot always be implemented yet, his team is also his team is looking into compostable packaging that can be discarded with food waste, so long as proper treatment of organic waste is available.

While ICW regulations are an obvious obstacle, De Naeyer encourages airlines and operators to focus on national waste regulations too and to look for local solutions. “Some regulations may mean efficient recycling is not always possible but we can still challenge the status quo as there are definitely opportunities today to create international standards and move forward together.” •

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40 / SLEEPER TRAINS IN EUROPE

Europe Ahead of the launch of a new Brussels-Berlin night train service on May 25, Stuart Forster looks at the growing appeal of sleeper trains in Europe…

S

leeper trains are often romantically associated with First Class travel and adventures penned by novelists such as Agatha Christie and Ian Fleming.

With sustainability concerns now driving many travellers’ transport choices, there is renewed interest in overnight travel on trains.

“Going to sleep in one place and waking up in another is one thing, but the idea of gliding through the countryside being rocked to sleep by the movement over the tracks has a gentle appeal as well – especially after a delicious dinner in the dining car. Plus sleeper trains have a sort of oldtime nostalgia, even though many of them are very modern with great facilities,” says Cat Jones, the founder and CEO of Byway, a travel company whose focus is flight-free travel.

Research shows that 34% of passengers chose Nightjet services operated by ÖBB, Austria’s national railway, because of sustainability concerns.

“As Austria’s largest mobility provider, we are committed to a sustainable and climate-friendly transformation of our transportation system,” comments ÖBB spokesperson, Bernhard Rieder.

He adds that rail travel is “by far the most environmentally friendly mode of transport” despite carbon emissions varying between operators in European countries. According to ÖBB calculations, travelling on a Nightjet service between Vienna and Paris results in 45.1kg of carbon emissions per passenger, compared to 419.6kg when flying.

New trains ÖBB has ordered 33 new Nightjet trains and the first will enter service this year on routes between Austria and Italy. They have seven carriages, made up of two seating cars, three with couchettes and two with fixed beds, private toilets and showers.

New mini cabins are designed for use by solo

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SLEEPER TRAINS IN EUROPE / 41

travellers. Each Nightjet will feature a couchette compartment with an accessible toilet.

Plug sockets, USB ports and inductive charging stations are available aboard Nightjets. They offer free wi-fi and onboard entertainment is supplied via the ÖBB Railnet portal, which facilitates streaming and access to magazines and newspapers.

The move to greater sustainability aboard Nightjet services has seen paper cups replaced by porcelain and local bakeries supplying the bread rolls served for breakfast.

Similarly, the UK's Caledonian Sleeper serves food and drink sourced from producers in Scotland. And since October, refillable containers have dispensed toiletries, eliminating use of approximately 400,000 single-use plastic bottles a year, reducing virgin plastic use by 81% and liquid waste by 75%.

qualitative time than flying, even if the overall journey time is longer. “It’s a different time of the day. If it’s sleeping time, it’s a huge optimisation. You spent the whole day somewhere really awesome and you don’t pay for a hotel,” explains Lammertyn, pointing out that night trains negate the need for early morning airport runs and other stresses associated with flying.

That view is echoed by Chris Private initiatives Engelsman, one of the co-founders of “Sleeper trains were not empty before they were the European Sleeper, who also sees the cancelled but they were loss-making,” points out sustainability movement as being a key factor Louis Lammertyn, an expert in decarbonising in now being the right time to transport, about the previous launch a new sleeper train service: generation of night services. He “It’s important that we have a argues that state-owned operators dedicated company because focused on daytime services and Sleeper trains have night trains require some special night trains were never optimised. a sort of old-time attention. It’s a niche market “It’s possible to do it way cheaper, nostalgia and there are a lot of different without the inefficiencies and aspects to a usual daytime train. overhead costs of state operators,” It has bedding. It has stewards on suggests Lammertyn. board. It needs to serve breakfast. All these things “They are coming back because we need them. are different and require a specialised approach.

People are asking for them. Every single night train That’s why we think a dedicated railway company line that is being opened is near to fully booked, for night trains is very useful. so you can profitably operate if you have a good Even before the first train has pulled out of the cost structure. There is an increase because people station, plans are afoot to expand the European are aware of their carbon footprints and that they Sleeper's route to Prague. Travellers, it seems, are should travel more sustainably,” he adds. waking up to what sleeper trains offer. • Sleeper services offer people a greater sense of

From above: A passenger in a modern sleeper train cabin; couchettes aboard a night train

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42 / FOCUS ON

Making it shipshape Stuart Forster learns about a recent venture by Diversey, a company that turns 100 years old this year…

D

iversey was founded in 1923 and has grown into a global provider of hygiene, infection prevention and cleaning solutions for commercial businesses.

With approximately 8,600 employees around the world, the company now serves more than 85,000 customers in over 80 countries.

In 2021 Diversey took a strategic decision to leverage its global footprint to become a leading cleaning and hygiene provider in the Cruise and Marine (C&M) industry. A dedicated C&M team was established, including sales, operational and training expertise.

“Our trademark is the right product, in the right place, on time. It’s possible since we have a global presence and strong distribution regional network near to C&M operations, therefore preferred solutions can be easily ordered and delivered – all from a single source,” explains Jan-Philipp Schmid, Diversey’s Global Business Development Director Cruise.

Infection prevention protocols were well-established in the C&M industry prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, which impacted supply chains and the global cruise industry.

As a consequence, the frequency of disinfection rather than the products being used that saw change.

“It's much more important that we do it in front

business more sustainably. We’re of the passengers. The passengers feel helping our C&M customers protect more safe when they are able to see that cruise companies are doing a lot for their customers while reducing their our safety to save us from any viruses or costs, improving their profitability and enhancing their bacteria,” says public image. We’re Jan-Philipp. helping them see Additionally, the number of floor stands We’re helping our sustainability practices as a competitive and wall-mounted C&M customers advantage,” dispensers for hand protect their asserts Jan-Philipp, disinfection has customers while whose company’s tripled aboard cruise reducing their costs biodegradable SURE ships. Access to wipe range is made with disinfection to clean agro-food industry byproducts. surfaces provides additional assurance.

“In my view, in the near future buyers “Diversey provides a stand-alone floor will look only for products that are dispenser with an additional shelf for super concentrated in fully recyclable wipes which is highly appreciated both packaging that is taking less storage and by cruise management and passengers,” significantly contributes to the circular adds Jan-Philipp. economy,” he predicts.

“With a sustainable cleaning approach, diversey.com • we’re not simply operating our own

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3/13/23 02:37 PM

44 / sustainaholics XXXXX

Spirits in the sky Stuart Forster talks with David Mills, who has established Sustainaholics to promote only sustainable brands in the travel industry…

t

he idea came to David while he was on holiday, wearing a pair of flipflops made from recycled beach plastic.

Though not well known, his choice of footwear was more sustainably manufactured than the dominant brand.

“The seed of the idea was sown when I realised that the interests of the travel industry and new sustainable challenger brands are perfectly aligned because travel operators want commercially viable sustainability partnerships, their customers want product innovation and authentic sustainable brands, and these brands want more market exposure to drive growth,” he explains of the thoughts behind setting up Sustainaholics.

launched in 2022 The company entered the market early in 2022, focusing the launch on sustainably produced spirits after initially offering a broader product

portfolio. It represents around a dozen brands, including the likes of Cooper King carbon negative gin, Two Drifters carbon negative rum and sustainably farmed rye whisky from The Oxford Artisan Distillery on an exclusive basis within the transport industry. A key notable success was winning the launch listing with Tourvest Retail Services for British Airways’ High Life Shop.

Sustainaholics offers travellers opportunities to discover products from new and pioneering sustainable spirits brands providing ethical alternatives to established producers. Customers increasingly care about product provenance, packaging and a company’s Corporate Social Responsibility credentials, factoring those issues into their purchasing decisions.

Broadening perspectives “Travel is about opening your mind and broadening perspectives. Passengers can use their journey to discover brands offering sustainable solutions, rather than only seeing the same traditional brands that have dominated the landscape for decades… Sustainaholics’ brands

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sustainaholics Xxxxx / 45

under the Competition and Market Authority’s have been designed from the very beginning with recently introduced Green Claims Code. sustainability at their core so offer passengers David believes that Sustainaholics offers something unique,” explains David. busy buyers best-in-class brands, pushing the “Our sustainability proposition directly engages boundaries on sustainability under a one-stop customers on a fundamental issue, providing shop solution. “Our brands a customer-facing platform are small compared to to demonstrate a genuine those that dominate the commitment to sustainability industry. Collectively we are through solutions-driven partnerships like ours which We offer a commercially larger and offer more value help travel operators grow viable way to embrace so have a better chance of success and can get a better their own brand equity,” adds sustainability deal than any brand going the man with 20 years’ travel solo,” he points out. industry experience, “Sustainaholics offers “We offer a commercially brands a zero-risk deal and puts in all the work viable way to embrace sustainability. Credible required to get listed. We manage the process independent research demonstrates that and relationships, so brands can focus on their sustainable brands drive better customer day-to-day business,” he adds. engagement with higher purchase conversion at premium prices, resulting in more profits for retailers,” says David, outlining benefits for Driving positive change transport providers.

“Every consumer who currently buys from any brand without credible sustainability credentials and changes to one that is genuinely sustainable Gen Z’s power is making a small but positive difference,” He explains that the Generation Z demographic is says David about the impact of switching to increasingly powerful and looking for innovation sustainable brands, emphasising that everyone from new brands with authentic sustainability must leverage their influence to drive change. credentials that can positively engage a younger “It’s important to make as many people as generation of travellers. possible aware that these choices exist today, “Sustainaholics provides transparent and the travel industry’s huge global reach... summary information, supporting every brand’s positions it to play an important part in growing sustainability claims to help retailers determine ethical consumerism, which it’s currently falling a the validity of the claims for themselves and long way short of fulfilling,” says the founder of potentially share with customers at the point of Sustainaholics. sale...we’ve declined opportunities to represent “The opportunities for new and profitable more than five times the number of brands partnerships going forwards are huge if the we have in our portfolio, due to inadequately industry is ready and willing to embrace change,” supported sustainability claims,” says David, concludes David. touching on the issue of greenwashing and how sustainaholics.com • retailers could be liable for misleading claims

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Aircraft EXPO Interiors

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INDUSTRY UPDATE / 47 Top stories from across the industry

Chief Trash Officer appointed United Airlines chooses Sesame Street star.

Rubbish-loving Sesame Street star Oscar the Grouch has been appointed as United's first Chief Trash Officer as part of a consumer education campaign to promote the benefits of wider use of susainable aviation fuel (SAF). He appears in 30 pieces of original content.

"The campaign provided a special opportunity to showcase to showcase an iconic Sesame Street character, Oscar the Grouch, celebrating what he loves best – trash," said Jennifer Ahearn, Vice President, Global Strategic Partnerships and Themed Entertainment, Sesame Workshop. "The amazing collaboration helps United Airlines explain in simpler terms the technology of turning trash into fuel in fun and engaging manner." united.com

Emirates recycles more than 500,000kg of plastic and glass The 2022 total weighs the same as a fully-loaded A380 aircraft.

The airline's glass and recycling initiative began in 2019 in response to a suggestion by environmentally-concious members of its cabin crew.

Separated glass and plastic are sent to a recycling plant in Dubai.

The initiative diverts waste from landfill. The recycled plastic is cleaned, chopped into flakes and melted into pellets that are used by manufacturers to make other plastic products. Likewise, the glass is reused by manufacturers in the United Arab Emirates. The weight of glass and plastic recycled in 2022 was comparable to one of the airline's flagship aircraft. emirates.com

deSter joins UN initiative

LSG Group commitment

Becomes Global Compact member Launched in 2000, the UN Global Compact is the world's largest corporate sustainability initiative. It is active in more than 160 countries, involving over 15,000 companies and 3,800 non-business signatories. dester.com

Animal-friendly egg supply target LSG Group has pledged to make its enitre egg supply chain cage-free by 2025.

It is working with Mercy for Animals to help partners and suppliers find alternatives to eggs from caged hens. lsg-group.com

New IFE system Bhutan Airlines announcement Wireless IFE aboard Bhutan Airlines' aircraft will offer movies and TV shows, music, podcasts, games and reading material. Passengers will be able to access the system through their personal electronic devices. bhutanairlines.bt

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48 / INDUSTRY UPDATE Top stories from across the industry

Korean Air upcycles life vests

Sustainable dishwasher launch

Limited edition upcycled cosmetic pouches.

Four thousand cosmetic pouches have been created from retired life vests in collaboration with the Korean brand 107, which is renowned for its holistic, eco-friendly approach to beauty care.

Each of the numbered pouches carries six travel-size skincare products from 107. The edition number is imprinted on a metallic tag that also bears the total number of pouches made as part of this upcycling initiative. Each pouch features a red inflate tag and a black fabric handle.

The pouches are avialable for purchase via Korean Air's e-Skyshop and profits will be donated to a global environmental organisation. koreanair.com

Wexiödisk has introduced the new WD-BS flight-type dishwasher.

The S-Range features innovative functions such as ECO-FLOW, which converts energy and steam during washing, transferring them to incoming cold water via a heat recovery unit. HEAT-FLOW prevents starch and proteins from sticking to dishes, pre-heating the rinse water.

"The WD-BS has been designed and developed with sustainability in mind. It uses significantly less water and detergents than its predecessor. The dishwasher recycles wastewater, which is being used fro controlled pre-rinsing, saving water, energy and labour," said Thomas Jamtänder, Marketing Director – Flight Catering Solutions at Diskomat, which represents Wexiödisk in the global flight catering market. diskomat.se

Bottega launches a lemon spritz canned drink A ready-to-drink single-serve cocktail The Italian wine producer has created a refreshing drink from Bottega Gold Prosecco and Limoncino.

The introduction of the canned drink follows a trend that has seen a growing number of pre-mixed drinks become available in a ready-to-serve form.

Bottega was established in 1977 and is based 50km north of Venice. The company's winery is located in the the Prosecco DOC region of northern Italy. bottegaspa.com

St Gallen specials Gourmet meals on SWISS The 'SWISS Taste of Switzerland' inflight culinary programme introduced meals inspired by the cuisine of the canton of St Gallen.

The dishes are designed by Michelinstarred chef Bernadette Lisibach. swiss.com

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industry update / 49 Top stories from across the industry

Safran seats for Qantas flights Seating for Airbus A350-1000 fleet revealed.

Safran seats will be used in Business and First class cabins aboard the Australian flag carrier's new aircraft, which are capable of flying from airports on Australia's east coast to destinations in Europe and North America.

Designed in conjunction with Caon Studios, for use by passengers on flights with a duration of between 18 and 22 hours, Safran's Unity seats are ergonomically designed for high levels of comfort.

"We are delighted to provide Qantas with seats that meet the needs of ultra-long-haul flights and which allow a comfortable journey for all passengers," said Victoria Foy, CEO of Safran Seats, praising the collaboration between Qantas and Safran Seats teams based in the United Kingdom. safran-group.com

Air New Zealand partners with Touch Inflight Solutions New Zealand's flag carrier has appointed Touch to provide inflight entertainment and connectivity.

The technologies being delivered include ABOVE, the first cloud-based media distribution platform.

"We at Touch are humbled, proud and very much looking forward to developing a strategic partnership with Air New Zealand, and support the customer-centric and digital focus that we all as passengers have been exposed to with their service," commented André Valera, Touch's Vice-President of Business Development. touch.aero

Dina Foods QR codes QR codes share recipe ideas New sourdough and oregano variants have been added to Dina Foods' Paninette flatbreads range.

New-look packaging makes use of QR codes to share ideas about how to use the Lebanese-style flatbreads. dinafoods.com

CBE for John Caulcutt New Year's Honour The co-founder and Director of Plane Talking Products was named a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in recognition of his philanthropy and services in raising funds for charities. planetalking.net

onboardhospitality.com

Moomin makeover Characters on Finnair A350s To mark the 100th anniversary of Finnair, Moomin characters will feature on two of the airline's aircraft throughout 2023.

Moomins were last seen on Finnair's livery in the mid-1990s. finnair.com

50 / EVENTS

Meeting at Hamburg's Messe Returning to the Hamburg Messe on June 6-8 2023, the World Travel Catering and Onboard Services Expo, usually known simply as the WTCE, will attract more than 150 global airlines and many suppliers of onboard products.

With numerous products being showcased, including those from around 100 new exhibitors, it is recognised as one of the industry's premier networking opportunities. More than 750 VIPs from airline and rail companies will be among the 5,000 or so participants in the WTCE. Taste of Travel Theatre sessions over the three days mean opportunities to learn from the industry's thought leaders. Free to attend, they mean opportunities to view chef demos and discover insights into emerging trends. The winners of the 2023 Onboard Hospitality Awards will be revealed in the theatre on the evening of Tuesday June 6.

Over the same three days, the Hamburg

WHAT: WTCE WHERE: Hamburg WHEN: June 6-8 2023

CALENDAR Messe will also host the Airport Interiors Expo (AIX). That means opportunities to meet with more than 600 industry exhibitors, over 1,000 aviation products and services plus 12,000 attendees from around the world. worldtravelcateringexpo.com

Fine dining Flying high The Speciality & Fine Food Fair provides an opportunity for independent suppliers, buyers importers, distributors and wholesalers to network and get up-todate with the latest trends. Hundreds of artisanal producers and suppliers of food and drink will attend to display new products at an event which typically attracts approximately 10,000 industry buyers. specialityandfinefoodfairs.co.uk

WHAT: Speciality & Fine Food Fair WHERE: London WHEN: September 11-12 2023

Taking place for the 15th year in succession, the 2023 edition of the Aviation Festival Americas will feature 11 dedicated conference tracks with over 300 speakers. The two-day event will be held at Miami Beach Convention Center and draw more than 2,500 attendees, including executives from some of the biggest airlines. terrapin. com/conference/aviation-festivalamericas.uk

WHAT: Aviation Festival Americas WHERE: Miami WHEN: May 16-17 2023

MAY 12-14 Cruise Lines International Association Conference 2023, Southampton cruising.org ------MAY 16-17 SmartRail Europe 2023, Brussels smartrail-europe.com ------MAY 23-25 Future Travel Experience - EMEA, Dublin

futuretravelexperience. com

------SEPTEMBER 8-10 Hamburg Cruise Days, Hamburg hamburgcruisedays. de ------SEPTEMBER 19-21 APEX/IFSA 2023 with FTE Global, Long Beach ifsa-apex.aero

onboardhospitality.com

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A World of Inspiration to enhance the onboard experience 350 suppliers 750 VIP onboard buyers 4,900 attendees 1000s of inflight catering,

passenger comfort, onboard services and products

Find out more at:

worldtravelcateringexpo.com/obh1

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Sustainable Wellness at 35,000 feet From amenity kits to dinnerware products, we specialize in connecting you with eco-conscious products and brands that are valued by today's travelers.

Sustainably Sourced Material

Trending Wellness Brands

Interested in learning more? Come see us at WTCE in Hamburg June 6-8.

Please email us at info@wessco.net to make an appointment.

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