Airlines generate a large waste load that can be reduced with the right policies and procedures. However, most airlines do not have the time and money to put such procedures into action. Therefore, Wegozero has compiled a step-by-step guide for airlines to reduce their waste without largely affecting their financial resources. All airlines can be zero waste champions in the aviation industry.
1. Determine how to reduce waste while balancing government regulations and company costs.
A major obstacle to an airline’s ability to reuse and recycle cabin waste is ICW legislation that was put in place by the European Union. Incineration, landfill disposal, and recycling processing plants must all be approved by the EU legislation.
2. Plan strategies for waste and resource efficiency.
Food catering is a primary waste stream produced by airlines. People can use exact catering amounts to increase resource efficiency. Staff can organise the following materials into their own storage to maximize recycling efficiency;
- Paper from newspapers, magazines, and other sources
- Plastic bottles from water and soft drinks
- Plastic drinking cups
- Aluminum cans
- Cardboard boxes and packaging
3. Develop waste disposal policies and cutbacks.
Zero waste strategies start with management. Talk to your boss today about their waste disposal policies and ways the company can cut back.
4. Create waste reduction objectives and targets.
Targets and objectives keep everyone aligned with the company’s waste reduction goals. Communication is important when establishing a culture of sustainability in any business.
5. Monitor objective outcomes to improve future waste reduction.
Waste reduction goals are ineffective if people do not monitor their results. Any business strategy can be improved with time and dedication.
How can airlines encourage passengers to reduce their waste production?
Controlling consumer behavior is the hardest part of bringing sustainability to businesses. Encouraging passengers to go zero waste in aviation is no different. However, a recent study conducted by China Eastern Airlines shows the effect that airlines can have on their customers. In this study, they list three different strategies on how to encourage passengers to go zero waste in aviation.
- Airlines can play a video guide on food waste classification before food delivery that describes the planned changes in food waste practices.
- Airlines can print a food waste classification guide for each passenger. This should focus on delivering information in an easily digestible way.
- Airlines can signal passengers when the waste collection will be and offer any support.
Sustainable passenger behavior starts with strong support and encouragement from flight attendants and other passengers alike. Be the role model that will lead to zero waste in aviation!
What does Zero Waste in Aviation look like for passengers?
Below are some ways people can reduce their waste consumption on domestic and international flights:
- Refuse to accept any food item that they will not consume
- Pack reusable straws, utensils, cups, and headphones in your carry on
- Avoid buying in-flight items as much as possible
- Bring pre-packaged food onto the flight or choose vegetarian options
By taking the actions above, passengers can reduce their own waste while helping airlines with their waste management policies.
Who are some role models for zero waste in aviation?
In defiance of economic and logistical obstacles arising for aviation companies, there are some bright examples of environmental rejuvenation that ought to be mentioned. These examples echo into the turbines of airlines worldwide, guiding them through change for a greener industry.
Wegozero strives to include more airlines in this venture!
airlines implementing zero waste in aviation
Below read about some pioneering airlines that already incorporate zero waste to their strategy. Find some inspiring ideas from reducing overall waste, to setting ambitious goals and implementing a mind set change towards zero waste in aviation.
Qantas
- The bowerbird project created on May 8th 2019
- World-first landfill-free flight; Every in-flight item was composted, reused or recycled
- Digital boarding passes and electronic bag tags
- 1000 single-use plastic items and individually-packaged servings were removed and replaced with paper cups, bionapkins, biocane food containers and cutlery
- Cut 100-million single-use plastics by 2021; Achieve this by replacing 45 million plastic cups, 30 million cutlery sets, 21 million coffee cups and 4 million headrest covers with sustainable alternatives
- Reduce airline waste by 75% by 2022
- Following meal service; cabin crew collected waste and sorted it into different streams to reuse, recycle or compost.
- Despite the extra cost to implement all new products, the quality of service will not change and ticket prices remain as they are
- All plastic cutlery replaced by responsibly sourced wooden cutlery.
- Zero single-use plastics by 2027 & zero ICW to landfill by 2030 to reach net zero emissions by 2050
Ryanair
- Plastic-free by 2025
- Pay-as-you-go services to reduce the amount of unconsumed and thrown away food
- Replace nonrecyclable plastic with environmentally friendly alternatives such as biodegradable cups, wooden cutlery, paper packaging
- Fabric used in seats from recycled textiles
Iberia
- LIFE & Zero Cabin Waste
- Have created a model aiming to reduce, reuse and recycle waste collected on airplanes and build the basis upon which airlines can base their approach following similar practises
- Reduced in-flight waste generation by 12%
- 42% of total cabin waste were diverted from the landfill
- Made separation of waste on-board easier
- ICW (CAT1) not processed, due to lack of permits and health & safety concerns.
- Strongly advocated that legislative changes are required through the whole of aviation industry in order to make meaningful advances in going zero waste
KLM
- Goal of reducing residual waste from inflight catering to 50% by 2025
- Reuse plastic bottles served on board through a circular process. Recycle 300 tonnes of plastic per year, which are sorted and shredded forming plastic pellets which are used to create 3D-printing material. This 3D-printing material is then used to print maintenance tools for the engineering department
- 14 different waste items separated and recycled (e.g. plastic, metal, glass, cans etc.)
- Added value to discarded KLM products by using old uniforms to create carpeting for cabin interiors
- Paper, aluminum lids, and plastic separated on board
- Since 2017 they have replaced paper newspapers, magazines, and tickets with downloadable content using their online app to save 360,000 kilos of paper per year
- Reduced residual waste to 50% by 2030 compared to 2011
- Base their catering services on historic flight load factor and passenger habits
- During COVID, many food items were donated to charitable associations
- Increase reuse of items such as trays. If damaged they are recycled to create new ones
- Since 2019, on-board waste is sorted and recycled (e.g. plastic bottles, cardboard cups and aluminum cans)
- KLM trolleys designed to separate different recyclable waste
Aegean Airlines
- Separately collects papers, glasses and cartons for delivery to the Ground Handling Recycling Services
- Packaged foods that have been unopened are collected in a separate tray and donated to poor neighborhoods and people in need
- Minimize disposable single-use plastics
- Use wooden cutlery, paper cups, and paper trays to serve the food
Conclusion
First pioneers are taking steps towards more sustainable practices in aviation. There is still a long way to go but we are optimistic that there is a bright future ahead. Are you interested in pushing zero waste in aviation forward ?
Comment below or contact us to learn more !
