Traveling is an integral part of our lives. Whether we embark on a 9-hour international flight or a quick domestic journey, one thing remains constant: the staggering amount of waste generated during these trips. It is estimated that approximately 5.7 million tons of cabin waste is produced on passenger flights annually, encompassing single-use plastics, food waste, amenity kits, and even hearing aids.
The renowned travel and transportation design studio, PriestmanGoode, recognized this issue and decided to take matters into their own hands. With over two decades of experience in aircraft design and collaboration with leading airlines and manufacturers worldwide, they embarked on a mission to make a change. Their latest creation, showcased at London’s Design Museum under the exhibit titled “Get Onboard,” presents a line of products crafted with organic materials found abundantly in nature. These products fulfill three key criteria: Reduce, Recycle, Reuse, and Rethink. In addition to the sustainable aspect, the entire collection is minimalist and aesthetically pleasing.
Edible and Eco-friendly Design
The green food service revolutionizes the traditional flight food tray by introducing a wide range of innovative materials. Jo Rowan, PriestmanGoode’s Vice President of Strategy, explains, “We used a wide range of materials for these ideas,” and they surely delivered on their promise. Each component of the food tray is partially edible, reusable, soluble, or biodegradable. Plastic meal trays have been replaced with portions made from coffee beans and rice hulls mixed with a lignin binder. Wheat bran-based trays are molded to fit the shape of the dishes, while banana leaves or seaweed combined with rice hulls create attractive tops for garnishes like salads. Desserts are served on tapa-shaped cakes, and reflective materials represent the food itself. An ingenious and sustainable alternative to single-use tableware has been introduced: the “SPORK” dining set, a combination of fork and spoon made from coconut wood. Traditional plastic containers for milk or sauces are now replaced by cups and boxes made from dissolved seaweed.
A Biodegradable Water Bottle for Sustainable Hydration
PriestmanGoode takes sustainability a step further by offering an alternative to plastic water bottles. They have designed a water bottle using cork and biodegradable plastic. This compact-sized bottle is not only reusable but also conveniently fits in the pocket of the seat in front of you during the flight. The concept behind this design is to offer a sustainable solution to airport shopping while minimizing the cost of recycling after use.
Embracing Responsible Travel
As a travel enthusiast, I’ve never really considered the extent of the harm our travel patterns inflict upon our environment. Nowadays, the concept of being a responsible traveler is gaining much-deserved attention. Although PriestmanGoode’s latest initiative is still in the concept stage, their vision is to provide us with food trays made from edible and natural ingredients, ensuring a delightful and sustainable in-flight experience.
Caravansarai, an advocate of eco-friendly and innovative solutions, continues to support groundbreaking initiatives like PriestmanGoode’s sustainable food trays. If you’re interested in discovering more innovative ideas that pave the way for a greener future, visit Caravansarai.
