New Series Takes on Travel Industry’s Addiction to Plastics

In a new series called “Travel Beyond Plastics,” Skift takes on the “travel industry’s addiction to plastics” and what happens when companies and travelers try to kick this habit.

In a recent article, Skift focuses on Amtrak, which the publication says is late to the game compared with other global rail services when it comes to eliminating single-use plastics in meal service. Additionally, the article claims Amtrak “doesn’t always do some of the things it is able to do when it comes to recycling.”

Skift has more:

In mid-October, 20 design students and design professionals boarded an Amtrak train at 30th Street Station in Philadelphia. Their mission on the way to their destination: find ways for Amtrak to reduce its use of single-use plastics.

During the 65-minute workshop, the designers showed off ideas for serving passengers at their seats and in sleeper cars, using sustainable materials.

They included bento boxes for meal service, similar to Japan Rail, wrapping menu items in waxed plastic, aluminum serving pieces that could be sterilized and re-used, and bamboo cutlery, the kind many eco-minded travelers already pack in their carryon bags.

Read the full article here.