Sustainable packaging: NetJets Europe introduces new eco-friendly catering packaging

-- Packaging Digest, 6/3/2010 12:46:42 PM

Europe's leading business jet operator, NetJets Europe, has rolled out a new eco-friendly catering package and recycling initiative designed to support the company's environmental efforts. The catering box is fashioned from sustainably sourced bamboo and features wooden cutlery and porcelain inserts - all of which are recyclable. Even the lids are biodegradable, and the porcelain inserts will be re-used.

Each box will now take about half of the space of the previous catering box and the package will be adapted to suit the storage requirements of the small and mid-sized private jets in NetJets Europe's fleet. Recycling targets have been set and NetJets is working with its crew, local FBOs, anchor caterers and cleaning companies to ensure that equipment can be reutilized at the end of each flight to maximize the impact of the new package.

"NetJets Europe takes its environmental responsibilities seriously, and this new packaging is just one small way in which the catering department can contribute," comments Ricardo Paiva, Catering Senior Manager at NetJets Europe. "We're encouraging our crew to work with our ground staff to achieve and exceed our recycling targets and minimize wastage."

NetJets Europe is aware of its status as a polluter and has a three pronged initiative, called "Real Difference" aimed at addressing its environmental impact; "Every Day Difference," is focused on making NetJets Europe's operational processes more sustainable, including the new catering boxes, "All-inclusive offsets," makes UN-ratified carbon-offsets mandatory for all new and renewing customers since 2007 and "Green horizons" sees the company work with manufacturers and researchers to make improvements to the future sustainability of the industry.

SOURCE: NetJets Europe

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