Soon, you will not find first use plastic on Air India flights! Yes, Air India has banned plastic from flights to give Mother Nature a big boost from this major pollutant. The airline announced on Thursday morning that it will ban the usage of single-use plastic aboard its flight from October 2, 2019, which is Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary. The ban will be imposed in a phased manner. In the first phase of ban, all flights of Air India Express and Alliance air flights will be stopped from using first use plastic while in the second phase, the ban will be implemented on all Air India flights. The decision has been taken by the airline to  reduce the usage of plastic on board. To implement, the ban, Air India also plans to change the packaging of certain items.

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Since a substitute will be required, Air India said, "Plastic teacups and tumblers will be replaced with sturdy paper cups and tumblers. Crew meal cutlery will be replaced with lightweight steel cutlery. Cake slices uplifted in the snacks box will be replaced with muffins to avoid the present plastic wrapping. Banana chips and sandwiches that are presently packed in the plastic pouch will be now be served in butter paper pouch," it said in a statement. 

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6 steps taken to stop use of plastic in aircrafts: 

1. Banana chips and sandwiches are presently packed in plastic pouches and this will be changed to butter paper pouch. 
2. Cake slices uplifted in the snacks box will be replaced with muffins to avoid the present plastic wrapping. 
3. For special meals that are ordered and paid for by passengers in advance, Eco friendly brich wood cutlery will be used in place of plastic cutlery. 
4. Crew meal cutlery will be replaced with light weight steel cutlery. 
5. Plastic tumblers will be replaced with paper tumblers. 
6. Plastic tea cups will be replaced with sturdy paper cups

The decision also follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Independence Day address in which he urged people to reduce the use of single-use plastic. The latest announcement from Air India also comes amid a Reuters report claiming that PM Modi is set to announce a nationwide ban on plastic bags, cups and straws on October 2. The ban will be comprehensive and will cover manufacturing, usage and import of plastic bags, cups, plates, small bottles, straws and certain types of sachets.