London City Airport has awarded TIPA Corp Ltd, an Israeli company manufacturing biodegradeable plastic packaging £10,000/$13,428 for developing a fully compostable security bag.

The awarding of the cash prize followed TIPA’s triumph in the airport’s Sustainable Security Bag Challenge.

TIPA, which has provided sustainable packaging solutions for clients including Waitrose and Stella McCartney, presented a product made from fully transparent materials, aligned to regulatory standards. The product can be composted at home by London City passengers or disposed as food waste at the airport.

An initial trial with 25,000 bags is scheduled for spring 2021 as more passengers return to the airport.

Next year, London City will also launch its new sustainability strategy, which will set out its ambition to become one of the most sustainable airports of its size in Europe.

REDUCING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

Liam McKay, Director of Corporate Affairs, London City Airport said: “When we launched this challenge, we said we were looking for an innovative solution that reduces the environmental impacts associated with single-use plastics.

“I am delighted to say that is what we have found in the product provided by TIPA and I am confident that our passengers will love them because the bags are fully compostable without leaving any trace of plastics in the environment. It’s a solution that’s environmentally friendly and gives passengers peace of mind.”

He added: “Sustainability will be at the heart of our industry’s recovery and looking ahead, London City wants to work with partners on finding innovative solutions, right across our business, that will help us become one of the most sustainable airports of our size.”

Merav Koren, Vice President of Marketing, TIPA remarked:  “Consumers are more educated than ever about the impacts of single-use plastic and are calling for swift implementation of sustainable solutions to plastic waste and pollution. London City Airport joins other influential players shifting toward bioplastics as a solution to single-use plastic.

“TIPA is thrilled to be chosen to help replace over two million single-use plastic bags by London City Airport. We believe that high-performance compostable films provide new opportunities for major corporations like London City to continue their operations safely while reaching sustainability goals”

This publication has also continued demonstrating its sustainability credentials with the launch of TR Sustainability Week, which will take place from 19-23 April 2021.

TRBusiness is also recognising and rewarding sustainable products and initiatives associated with the global travel industry through its latest initiative, ‘The Sustainability Pitch’. This pioneering concept, created to celebrate all things green will play a central role in the TR Sustainability Week event.