IN Air Travel Experience and Linstol Debut Sustainable Alternatives for In-Flight Dining at APEX EXPO

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Image: IN Air Travel Experience

Following the launch of its sustainability manifesto earlier this summer, IN Air Travel Experience has now launched IN.bowl, a meal product it says will reduce cost, waste, weight and catering and handling complexity. With IN.bowl, excess items like the meal tray and peripheral plastic receptacles become unnecessary, representing a reported minimum 55 percent reduction in single-use plastic. According to the company’s founder, Anne de Hauw, monetary gains could be funneled back to the quality of the meal.

“We really want to put the value where it matters – the food. Today, approximately 70 percent of the cost of the food tray goes into operations, handling, washing and transport, with only 30 percent going into the food,” she said. “We want to swap that for something that’s a little more customer-centric.” IN Air is working with two frozen food manufacturers on the contents of the bowl, with a tentative all-vegetarian menu already in the works.

linstol
Image: Vance Walstra

Also debuted this week at APEX EXPO, Linstol has launched a line of biodegradable disposable bamboo napkins made from 100 percent renewable natural bamboo fibers. More absorbent than standard linen napkins, Linstol’s bamboo alternatives have a reduced carbon footprint compared to their reusable counterparts, eliminating harsh industrial laundry processes and their associated water and chemical usage as well as transport costs.

Made in Italy, the napkins are available in dinner and cocktail sizes and can be fully customized to meet an airline’s brand expectations. “Our bamboo napkins are a perfect complement to our growing range of eco-friendly cabin products, such as the Linstol Super Cup,” said Bill Carrejo, Linstol’s director of Sales and Sustainability.