Lagardère has partnered with mybird to introduce next-generation sustainable straws and support local ocean clean-up efforts.

Lagardère Travel Retail UAE has launched a new sustainability initiative across its food & beverage operations at Dubai International Airport, partnering with UAE-based environmental solutions company mybird to introduce next-generation sustainable straws and support local ocean clean-up efforts.

Announced on June 5 to coincide with World Environment Day, the initiative forms part of Lagardère Travel Retail UAE’s wider sustainability strategy and builds on previous efforts to reduce reliance on traditional single-use plastics across its airport operations.

Under the partnership, all straws used across Lagardère Travel Retail UAE’s food & beverage outlets in DXB’s Terminals 1, 2 and 3 have been replaced with mybird’s sustainable alternatives. The straws are manufactured using wood fibre, plant-based and recovered materials, including by-products and reclaimed resources that would otherwise be discarded.

Designed to break down naturally into carbon dioxide, water and biomass without generating microplastics, the straws are wrapped in FSC-certified paper to further reduce their environmental footprint.

Beyond the product itself, the partnership incorporates a direct environmental action programme. Every mybird order contributes to diver-led ocean clean-up operations in UAE coastal waters, with waste recovered from the seabed, documented and responsibly disposed of.

According to the partners, the initiative is expected to deliver measurable annual environmental benefits, including the elimination of more than 185kg of plastic, the removal of over 200kg of waste from UAE waters and the replacement of more than 500,000 straws with sustainable alternatives across the DXB network.

The launch is being supported by a dedicated awareness campaign running throughout June across Lagardère Travel Retail UAE’s food and beverage outlets at the airport.

The initiative is expected to deliver measurable annual environmental benefits including the elimination of more than 185kg of plastic.

Lagardère Travel Retail UAE COO Dubai & Foodservice Ramy Sleiman said: “We believe sustainability must be both meaningful and measurable. Through our partnership with mybird, we are able to introduce a quality and innovative product solution alongside direct environmental action. By transparently tracking the difference we are making, we ensure our commitment translates into real, tangible impact.”

Mybird Co-founder Maitha Almatrooshi added: “Dubai International is the world’s busiest international airport, which means a partnership at this scale translates directly into millions of fewer plastic items in circulation and real waste recovered from UAE waters. Lagardère Travel Retail UAE shares our belief that sustainability has to be measurable, and we’re proud to deliver a programme designed from day one to be transparent and locally impactful.”

mybird straws are wrapped in FSC-certified paper to further reduce their environmental footprint.

The initiative reflects the growing focus on measurable sustainability programmes within travel retail, with operators increasingly seeking solutions that combine operational improvements with visible environmental outcomes.

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