Air New Zealand Replaces Disposable Cups with Ones Made of Biscuit

Category: Lifestyle/Entertainment

Listening

Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

  1. curb / kɜrb / (v) – to reduce or control
    Example:

    As a way to curb carbon emissions, several countries banned fossil fuels.


  2. edible / ˈɛd ə bəl / (adj) – describing something that can be eaten
    Example:

    Most plants he grows in his garden are edible. He always uses them when cooking.


  3. crumble / ˈkrʌm bəl / (v) – to break down into smaller pieces
    Example:

    You should eat your cookie before it crumbles completely.


  4. go a long way / goʊ ə lɔŋ weɪ / (idiom) – to be of significant help in achieving something
    Example:

    Not using plastic bags when shopping will go a long way in reducing plastic waste.


  5. revolutionary / ˌrɛv əˈlu ʃəˌnɛr i / (adj) – describing something that causes a big change
    Example:

    Self-driving cars are a revolutionary invention.


Article

Read the text below.

As part of its commitment to curb its plastic use, Air New Zealand has introduced coffee cups that can be eaten.


The airline reportedly serves around eight million cups of coffee each year. Last October, it attempted to cut down its waste by using plant-based coffee cups. Now, Air New Zealand is taking its waste reduction a step further by using edible coffee cups made from biscotti, which are Italian biscuits. Produced by NZ company Twiice, the edible cups are available in some of the airline’s domestic and international flights, as well as in its airport lounges.


Ingredients of the edible cup include wheat flour, sugar, egg, and vanilla flavoring. Air New Zealand’s customer experience senior manager, Niki Chave, personally tested the trial cups. She said that the cups were able to hold liquid content for several hours without crumbling or leaking.


Many customers have also tried the edible cup. According to Chave, the cup has also been tested for holding desserts. So far, people have given favorable feedback about the cups’ taste. Twiice co-founder Jamie Cashmore said that the edible cups will go a long way in showing the world that it is possible to create revolutionary methods of packaging.


However, some netizens are on the fence about Air New Zealand’s initiative. One thinks that reducing emissions may be more effective in helping the environment, while another suggested limiting the number of flights. In response, Chave said that the airline is doing its best to fulfill its responsibility of becoming sustainable and that canceling flights is not necessary.


Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

• What do you think are the downsides of using the edible cups? Explain.
• Do you agree that Air New Zealand should focus on reducing emissions and limiting its flights? Why or why not?

Discussion B

• In your opinion, what is the best way to evaluate the effectiveness of a business’s eco-friendly initiatives? Explain.
• In what ways can businesses come up with solutions or initiatives that truly have a huge impact on the environment (e.g. consult with experts)? Discuss.