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Press Release: ANA to reduce reliance on single-use plastics

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Press Release hub banner blue with title in red white and blueANA HOLDINGS INC. (hereinafter “ANA HD”) is taking steps to decrease its environmental impact. Effective Feb. 1, 2020, ANA HD will reduce its reliance on single-use plastics inside its cabins and lounges by replacing the plastic straws, stirring sticks and cutlery used in these areas. The plastic straws will be replaced with eco-friendly bioplastic or paper straws while the new stirring sticks and cutlery will be made of wood.

As part of its comprehensive efforts to improve sustainability, the ANA Group adopted the Monitoring, Reporting, Verification (MRV) emission mitigation approach for the global airline industry starting on Jan. 1, 2019. Developed by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and ratified at the ICAO General Assembly in 2016, these approaches are collectively known as the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation, or CORSIA. ANA HD will work with leading environmental experts to develop plans on how best to reduce single-use plastics, mitigate climate change and address illegal wildlife trafficking.

“ANA HD is committed to building on its strong record of environmental leadership by adopting policies that will prepare us to meet the next generation of challenges,” said Ito Yutaka, Executive Vice President of ANA HD. “We have already made significant stride in our efforts to make ANA HD a more sustainable company, and reducing the use of plastics is another crucial step that we can take to keep moving forward. Protecting our shared home is central to ANA HD’s vision of a better-connected world and we will continue looking for opportunities to make our products and services more eco-friendly.”

Items Currently made from Used at Annual Consumption Replacement Starting period
Stirring sticks Polypropylene Cabin and Lounges 10.5 million Wood

*Certified by FSC

Feb. 2020
Cutlery Polystyrene International Economy Class meals 1.8 million sets Wood

*Certified by FSC

March 2020
Straw Polypropylene Cabin and Lounges 4 million Bioplastic or paper April 2020

Ocean contamination and the proliferation of microplastics have emerged as two of the most crucial environmental issues, and ANA HD is committed to taking decisive action to protect the planet. ANA HD has a legacy of sustainable activities and has been recognized as the first “Eco-First” Company in the airline and transport industry by Japan’s Ministry of Environment.

In addition to reducing the use of plastics, ANA HD has already made significant strides in the implementation of sustainable aircraft fuel. The airline has collaborated with LanzaTech to develop even more effective biofuels. Furthermore, as of March 2019, 75.9% of the ANA Group fleet consists of fuel-efficient aircraft models.

ANA HD’s first comprehensive environmental action plan dates back to 1998, when it published its “ANA Group Environmental Principles” employee guidelines. In order to address the environmental challenges from a more global perspective, ANA HD created “ANA FLY ECO 2020” a mid- to long-term environmental plan in 2012 targeting significant gains by 2020. ANA HD is on track to meet these lofty goals and will continue looking for ways to advance sustainable business practices.

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About ANA

Following the “Inspiration of Japan” high quality of service, ANA has been awarded the respected 5-Star rating every year since 2013 from SKYTRAX. ANA is the only Japanese airline to win this prestigious designation seven years in a row. Additionally, ANA has been recognized by Air Transport World as “Airline of the Year” three times in the past 10 years – 2007, 2013 and 2018, becoming one of the few airlines winning this prestigious award for multiple times.

ANA was founded in 1952 with two helicopters and has become the largest airline in Japan, as well as one of the most significant airlines in Asia, operating 82 international routes and 121 domestic routes. ANA offers a unique dual hub model which enables passengers to travel to Tokyo and connect through the two airports in the metropolitan Tokyo, NARITA and HANEDA, to various destinations throughout Japan, and also offers same day connections between various North American, Asian and Chinese cities.

ANA has been a member of Star Alliance since 1999 and has joint venture partnerships with United Airlines, Lufthansa German Airlines, Swiss International Airlines and Austrian Airlines.

Besides the full service and award winner carrier ANA, the ANA Group has two LCCs as consolidated subsidiaries, Vanilla Air Inc. and Peach Aviation Limited. The ANA Group carried 54.4 million passengers in FY2018, has approximately 43,000 employees and a fleet of 260 aircraft. ANA is a proud launch customer and the biggest operator of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

Featured image credited to istock.com/JakeOlimb