Ryanair goes green with plan to scrap plastic

Ryanair said it wants to be the greenest airline by scrapping non-recyclable plastic as the budget carrier seeks to improve its image after a series of setbacks.

Responding to a public reaction against plastic waste, the Dublin-based airline said it would be plastic-free within five years. It will do so by switching to wooden cutlery and biodegradable coffee cups and removing plastics from in-flight products. Customers will also be able to offset the carbon cost of their flight by donating to a climate charity online.

Ryanair made the pledge as it unveiled the latest instalment of its "Always Getting Better" drive. The initiative, launched four years ago, was designed to turn around the company's image by improving service and weeding out practices that annoy customers.

But the company's reputation took a battering in 2017 when rostering glitches forced it to cancel thousands of flights. The fiasco also highlighted unhappiness about working conditions among its staff, prompting the airline to recognise trade unions to avert strikes over Christmas. It also delayed planned cuts to the onboard baggage allowance to 15 January from 1 November to keep customers happy.

Kenny Jacobs, Ryanair's chief marketing officer, said: "The 'Always Getting Better' programme … continues to go from strength to strength and we are pleased to unveil the 2018 plan today with an exciting range of environmental, service, digital, and ancillary initiatives."

Other features in the plan include refunding the difference for customers who find flights cheaper elsewhere and a new online travel hub with travel guides and videos.