‘Exploring alternatives’: Qantas to quit plastics, announces new emissions reduction target

Qantas has announced a couple of major changes for passengers as it charts a course towards a new, cleaner future.

Passengers on Qantas and Jetstar flights will start to notice some big changes over the next couple of years as the national carrier moves to quit plastic packaging and utensils altogether.

The $10b airline – which has already flagged a plan to cut the amount of single-use plastics on board – announced on Thursday that knives, forks, bags, wrapping, and cups would no longer be found on Qantas flights by 2027.

In 2019 the company said it was hoping to reduce its waste by 75 per cent by eliminating 100 million pieces of single-use plastic from its flights by the end of 2021.

Single-use plastic knives, forks, bags, wrapping, and cups will no longer be found on Qantas flights by 2027. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

The pandemic threw this plan into disarray – with a 2023 deadline now set down – but Qantas has now put a date in stone for the complete removal of single-use items.

It is also aiming for zero landfill waste by 2030.

“Qantas is today committing to a target of zero single use plastics before 2027, which means every Qantas or Jetstar flight will use products in compostable or recyclable packaging,” the company said.

“A small number of health and safety items on-board will remain plastic, but we are committed to exploring alternatives.”

The company’s latest move to firm up its green credentials was accompanied by an announcement that it had set a new interim emissions reduction target.

“Aviation is a crucial industry, especially in a country the size of Australia,” Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said on Thursday. Picture: Toby Zerna

Qantas had already committed to achieving net zero by 2050 and on Thursday it said it now intends to cut emissions by 25 per cent by 2030 – based on 2019 levels.

In order to achieve interim targets, Qantas is looking at new aircraft that burn 15 per cent to 20 per cent less fuel, while it is hoping to source 10 per cent of its fuel needs from green sources.

It will also tie its climate change goals to the pay packets of its management team from July onwards.

“Aviation is a crucial industry, especially in a country the size of Australia. Having a clear plan to decarbonise Qantas and Jetstar so we can keep delivering these services in the decades ahead is absolutely key to our future,” Qantas boss Alan Joyce said.

“Hydrogen or electric powered aircraft are several decades away, particularly for the length of most flights, so our plan is focused on the technology that is within reach today.

In 2019 Qantas said it was hoping to reduce its waste by 75 per cent by eliminating 100 million pieces of single-use plastic from its flights by the end of 2021. Pic: iStock

“One benefit of setting these targets now is sending a clear signal that we’re in the market for large volumes of sustainable aviation fuel, for carbon offset projects and for products that can be recycled. That will hopefully encourage more investment and build more momentum for the industry as a whole.”

Thursday’s announcement followed a roasting from 2GB host Ben Fordham over the airline’s customer service.

Fordham said the situation was “embarrassing”, with some people waiting close to seven hours to have their calls answered.

“That’s not customer service, that’s gaslighting,” Fordham said on 2GB on Thursday morning.

Qantas shares were trading 0.4 per cent lower at $5.24 on the ASX on Thursday morning despite a wider rise for the local sharemarket.