Onboard Hospitality is always on the lookout for the trends shaping the future of inflight service.
One such was identified by our expert panel of judges in the Onboard Hospitality Awards 2024, when deSter was awarded Trendsetter of the Year award in recognition of its reusable Economy class tableware for Etihad.
Bringing trends to the table
The trend towards sustainable onboard tableware, particularly reusable, is gaining significant momentum but there is no doubt it is still a complex issue.
Ruud Vanderheyden, Senior Category Director Main Cabin at deSter, explains: “Sustainability is now a key priority. Airlines are exploring alternative fuels and food waste reduction through pre-ordering, and reusable tableware is gaining significant traction. It offers a viable alternative to the substantial waste generated inflight by single-use items.
“While using durable materials like chinaware and glassware has been standard in premium cabins, extending this to Economy is different. The tableware must not only be visually appealing and durable but also cost-effective. The logistics of washing and returning are complex, but despite this many airlines are exploring the possibilities as they understand the sustainability advantages.“
deSter is comitted to the cause and recently earned the rare Platinum accreditation from EcoVadis for its efforts. In particular, the collaboration with Etihad Airways set a new benchmark with the goal of creating an Economy tableware setting with all reusable items in a closed-loop system.
Design innovation
The famous saying: ‘form follows function’ was key to optimising every tiny aspect of each product and its usage. Nicholas De Nijs, deSter Regional VP Middle East, says: “The designers constantly pushed the boundaries, creating more room for the form aspect while cleverly concealing functionality. Take the hot meal lids, for example, where various patterns and textures were employed to identify meal types, hiding the functionality from passengers, while the crew, familiar with the meaning, could seamlessly navigate the system.
Stainless steel cutlery was calculated to be the most sustainable option due to its durability, outlasting other materials, including reusable plastic. It is already used in Economy in Asia and the Middle East.
deSter has also recently launched a new innovation in paper cutlery. “This in-house patented creation significantly reduces the CO2 output compared to any other single-use options,” explains Vanderheyden. “It’s a FSC-certified solution for airlines unable to switch to reusable cutlery and forced to use less sustainable wood or bamboo options that often have an unpleasant mouthfeel.”
Closing the loop
Developing reusable tableware is one thing but truly closing the loop adds a new level of complexity. After each flight, the Etihad items must be collected, transported to a washing facility, inspected, and then reloaded onto the plane. This process requires meticulous planning. Each piece of tableware can go through this cycle hundreds of times before it reaches the end of its life, at which point it is reprocessed and turned into the same product again.
Alongside this comes the challenge of food safety, but deSter was in a unique position in this regard having received EFSA approval in 2021 for closed-loop recycling in aviation. It became the first and only partner in the airline market to perform food-contact safe, closed-loop recycling for plastic tableware.
Initially, the washing and loading for Etihad was managed in the UAE, while the reprocessing was handled in Thailand but it was clear local processing would minimise the footprint and better support the environmental and social cornerstones of the project. Now deSter manufactures and regrinds in the UAE.
“This move supported the local economy and kept everything closer to our customer. The new facility complemented our existing plants in Europe Asia and North America and made the entire process more efficient and environmentally-friendly,” Vanderheyden explains.
The project has provided valuable insights and a great story Etihad now shares with passengers through video. Vanderheyden concludes: “The growing interest from other airlines is encouraging. We are excited to continue leading the way in sustainable aviation solutions.”
Be a trendsetter
deSter was identified as Trendsetter of the Year in the Onboard Hospitality Awards 2024 for its entry within the Best for Onboard Service Equipment – Passenger category.
Entries in all categories have the opportunity to be identified as Trendsetter of the Year. Enter now to be in with a chance for 2025!
Entries close December 1 2024.
Good luck!
