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garbage in the sky

what can you do to help?

what do the employees think?

what are airlines doing to help?

what is zero waste?

what do we need to know about the issue?

How are airlines taking precautions to operate in more environmentally conscious ways and what do we as consumers need to know to do our part to help address the issue

According to the 2024 estimates, there are approximately 100,000 flights per day. This number includes all types of flights, including passenger, military, and cargo aircrafts. Passenger flights alone account for over 90,000 flights per day, transporting millions of passengers to destinations all over the world. Each one of these commercial flights alone is said to carry three point fifteen pounds of waste per passenger. Since the start of commercial aircraft usage in 1914, emissions waste as well as physical garbage waste left from aircrafts has increased. There is a fast growing issue with what happens to the trash and waste produced while in flight since almost all products served while inflight are wrapped in a plastic protectant to keep things clean. A study done by The International Air Transport Association also known as IATA says that “20-25% of cabin waste is untouched food and beverages” that later gets thrown into landfills. This doesn't even account for the plastic waste that is used to hold food and beverage products. Since covid airlines are struggling to keep up with the increased need for waste management for all the individually wrapped products.

Overview:

"Sustainable Cabin: Cabin Waste and Single Use Plastics" IATA (2023)

what is the issue?

Some airlines are promoting ways to go “Zero waste” where companies are making sure that the packaging of each product is partially sourced from plants and is able to be recycled instead of throwing it out. Zero waste is the concept of doing more than just recycling. According to the authors at eyco cycle, an organization known for spreading environmental issues with the public, "Zero Waste addresses the entire social system of how we make, consume, and dispose of our stuff.'' Zero waste is looked at like a cycle instead of all our products coming from the earth's resources and ending up in the dumps unable to decompose. It is through zero waste that we can start from earth's resources and have it end up back in the earth with no harm when we are done. Although zero waste doesn't have to be 100% zero waste the goal is to make more sustainable products for the public.

"zero Waste Is More Than Just Recycling" Eyco cycle (2023)

Overveiw:

WHat is zero waste?

Overveiw:

Each airline is making changes in their own ways to benefit in the future and still maintain a successful practice that customs will enjoy. For example, delta banned straws, turned to compostable stir sticks made from bamboo, and stopped encasing its utensils and amenity kits in plastic. According to Christine Boucher, the managing director of global environment, sustainability, and compliance at Delta “Another dilemma for airlines is there “isn’t always a better alternative. When you’re looking for a more sustainable alternative, you have to look at the full environmental impact of that alternative,” she says. “Some of these alternatives use more energy to produce them, for example. Is replacing single-use plastic the right choice, or is the right choice recycling that single-use plastic into something else?”

"Why some airlines are trying zero waste flights" Jasmin Malik Chua (2019)

WHat are airlines doing to help?

Overveiw:

"working in the airline industry from a flight attendeant's perspective" Tiffany correa (2024)

what do employees think?

United has made the choice to introduce new waste carts on board with two-compartment bins to separate packaging and paper-cardboard from other forms of waste making it super easy to recycle. This way flight attendants are able to separate trash from recycles as they go through the isles. After getting the chance to speak with the lovely Tiffany Correa, a United flight attendant for almost twenty five years, she states that “with the two compartment bin, it makes deplaning very quick and efficient and also helps minimize the amount of waste left over and thrown out after the flight.” This not only makes it easy for the flight crew but the ground crew as well with cleaning and refilling so that they can efficiently get the next flight in the aircraft set up.

• Be more conscious about your waste
• bring reuseable products when possible
• pre-order meals to help reduce weight and fuel useage
• know that you doing your part makes a difference!

Key take aways:

Overview:

Consumers play a big role in the amount of waste left and what happens to it afterwards. According to the International Air Transport Association, “airlines produced 5.2 million tons of waste last year, and will produce over 10 million tons annually by 2030.” The two major products that contribute to waste are the use of multiple plastic silverware and cups. An alternative to this would be bringing your own reusable water bottles as well as plastic reusable silverware that can be washed rather than thrown away. This alone cuts waste production in half, if you can’t or don't want to carry those reusable items it is also very beneficial to simply use the same cup all flight and get refills instead of getting a new one each time. According to the IAFA a very useful tactic to minimize food waste that isn't talked about very often is “Pre-ordering of meals as it lowers costs and weight on board, which translates to lower fuel burn.” when customers pre order meals the crew knows exactly what they need to have on flight rather than guessing off of previous data. This helps less food go bad and also helps lower the amount of weight on the aircraft so it requires less fuel and travels more efficiently. Another thing consumers can do is decline food and beverage items if they know they won’t eat it because airlines are not allowed to give those items out if they have been given to another customer. By doing these few simple changes each flight can travel more efficiently and environmentally conscious.

"Airline Passengers' Perceived Sacrifice and Green Practices Adoption Behaviours" Authors: Lim Jin Wong (2020)

WHAT can you do to help?