United Airlines Adding New Recyclable Beverage Cup for Customers

United Airlines is introducing a new, environmentally friendly coffee cup to its United Club beverage service this month and on United flights beginning mid-March.

The Chicago-based airline said in a news release the insulating InCycle Cup is fully recyclable and made from up to 50 percent recycled materials. It replaces the Styrofoam hot beverage cup the airline now uses.

The new cup is made by Arlington, Wash.-based MicroGreen Polymers Inc.

Through MicroGreen’s technology, four and a half InCycle cups are made from one recycled water bottle in a waterless, additive-free recycling process. The cup is also insulated, which further reduces waste by eliminating the need for a sleeve.

United also is reviewing its operational recycling efforts to find ways to reduce waste and to increase recycling in its system. Moves include a re-design of United's inflight recycling policy and procedures to simplify the process for flight attendants, generate increased recycling volumes and minimize waste.

During the past six years, United recycled 23.5 million pounds of aluminum cans, paper and plastic from waste generated on aircraft and in its facilities.