Plastic Waste In Aviation: The Startling Truth

Plastic waste is a pressing global issue, and the aviation industry is a significant contributor. While flying, the average person generates 1.4 kilograms of waste, with plastic constituting 12% of it. This amounts to 5.7 million tonnes of passenger waste annually, with only 9% of plastic waste being recycled. Single-use plastics, such as cups, cutlery, bottles, and food packaging, are prevalent on flights, and their disposal incurs substantial costs for airlines. Some airlines are responding to customer complaints and environmental concerns by introducing `zero-waste` flights, recyclable materials, and alternative packaging. However, the complex nature of waste management in aviation, coupled with the advantages of plastic in terms of cost and weight, pose challenges in reducing plastic waste per flight.

Plastic waste per passenger

Plastic waste is a significant issue in the airline industry, with airline passengers generating millions of tons of waste each year. On average, a single passenger leaves behind around 1.43 kg (3.15 lbs) of trash, including 12% plastic waste, on a flight. This waste includes plastic cups, cutlery, water bottles, food packaging, plastic-wrapped blankets, earbuds, plastic bags, plastic-lined cups, and plastic containers for meals and snacks.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) estimates that airline passengers generated 5.7 million tons of waste globally in 2016, with this figure expected to nearly double to 10 million tons by 2030. The majority of this waste ends up in landfills or is incinerated due to strict quarantine regulations, despite efforts from airlines and passengers to reduce, reuse, and recycle.

Some airlines have taken initiatives to reduce plastic waste. For example, Qantas has introduced plastic-free headsets and pyjamas and donates leftover catering to food rescue organisations. Air France pledged to replace 210 million single-use plastic items with sustainable alternatives by the end of 2019, while Iberia pledged to remove 200,000 kg of plastic from its flights in 2023 by replacing plastic cutlery, straws, and stirrers with sustainable alternatives.

Airlines are also exploring alternative packaging and recycling solutions, such as Delta Air Lines' switch to paper cups and Virgin Atlantic's use of paper donation envelopes as headset coverings. United Airlines operated a flight in June, dubbed "Flight for the Planet," which used recyclable plates, utensils, and cups, reducing waste by over 50%.

While regulations and the high cost of alternative materials pose challenges, airlines are working to reduce their environmental footprint and manage cabin waste more sustainably.

Plastic-free alternatives

The aviation industry has been criticised for its contribution to carbon emissions and single-use plastics, which are a growing environmental concern. On average, one passenger generates 1.4 kilograms of waste per flight, and about 12% of this waste is plastic. Plastic waste includes everything from earbud headphones to food packaging and blankets.

Some airlines are taking steps to reduce their plastic waste and offer more sustainable alternatives. For example, Etihad replaced plastic coffee cups with edible ones made from natural grain products and swapped plastic cutlery for recyclable stainless-steel cutlery. They also used bamboo plates and cutlery, though they did not want to compromise on the dining experience, so this was not implemented permanently. Qantas has introduced plastic-free headsets and pyjamas and donates leftover catering to food rescue organisations. In 2019, Air France pledged to replace 210 million single-use plastic items with sustainable alternatives, and British Airways is actively seeking non-plastic alternatives.

Passengers can also take steps to reduce their plastic waste when flying. Bringing your own water bottle, refilling it after security, and asking flight attendants to refill it during the flight can eliminate single-use plastic cups. Similarly, bringing your own reusable cup for tea or coffee can reduce waste. To avoid using plastic bags for toiletries, passengers can place liquids in their hold luggage or share bags with travel companions.

While some items are more challenging to replace, such as mouthwash and shaving kits, airlines are increasingly committed to sustainability and reducing their plastic waste.

Plastic recycling

Air travel generates millions of tons of waste every year, with an average of 1.43 kg of trash left behind by each passenger. About 12% of this waste is plastic, which equates to 9000 tons of plastic per year. Single-use plastics are a growing environmental concern, with only 9% of plastic waste being recycled.

In response to this, some airlines have introduced "'zero-waste" flights, replacing single-use plastic items with sustainable alternatives. For example, Air France pledged to replace 210 million single-use plastic items with eco-friendly versions by the end of 2019, and British Airways aims to recycle 50% of its waste by 2020. Australia's Qantas has launched a low-to-zero-waste flight from Sydney to Adelaide, replacing single-use plastics with biodegradable alternatives, and removing unnecessary plastic items. Qantas has also introduced plastic-free headsets and pyjamas, and donates leftover catering to food rescue organisations. United Airlines has tested a recyclable paper cup for hot beverages, and Etihad operated a flight with no plastics on board, using edible coffee cups.

Airlines are also implementing technological solutions to reduce waste. For example, Air France and KLM introduced mobile applications to replace newspapers on board, reducing paper waste and carbon emissions. Airports are also taking action, with San Francisco International Airport developing pathways for composting and recycling in a bid to become the world's first zero-waste airport by 2021.

Flight Plastics, a company based in New Zealand, has been producing plastic packaging for over 40 years. In 2019, they began importing RPET to make new PET packaging, and they now operate New Zealand's first PET wash and recycling plant. They use advanced technology to sort, wash, and granulate plastic bottles and packaging, turning waste into new food-grade packaging.

While these initiatives are a step in the right direction, the aviation industry's complex waste management system and strict quarantine regulations present challenges to recycling efforts. Nevertheless, with growing public awareness about plastic pollution, we can expect to see more innovative solutions and collaborations between airlines, airports, and waste management services to reduce plastic waste.

Plastic waste reduction

The aviation industry has long been criticised for its contribution to environmental damage, particularly in terms of carbon emissions. However, single-use plastics are also a growing concern, with only 9% of plastic waste being recycled, according to scientists.

The average passenger generates 1.43kg of waste per flight, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA). This includes food and drink packaging, newspapers, paper towels, plastic wrapping from headsets and blankets, and plastic cups, cutlery, and bottles. In total, airline passengers generated 5.7 million tons of waste globally in 2016, most of which went to landfills or incineration. With the number of passengers increasing, the volume of waste is expected to double by 2030 or 2040.

Airlines are recognising the importance of reducing, reusing, and recycling cabin waste from their flight operations to reduce their environmental footprint. Some examples of initiatives include British Airways' plan to eliminate 700 tonnes of single-use plastic by the end of 2020, and Finnair's plan to remove 230 tonnes of plastic by 2022. Iberia pledged to reduce 200,000 kg of plastic in 2023 by replacing plastic items with more sustainable alternatives and eliminating plastic packaging. Qantas has introduced plastic-free headsets and pyjamas, and has a goal of zero single-use plastics by 2027 and zero general waste to landfill by 2030.

In addition to airline initiatives, airports are also contributing to waste reduction. For example, Vancouver International Airport recycled and composted 2.4 of 4.8 kilogrammes of waste in 2018, exceeding its 2020 target for the third year in a row.

Plastic waste regulations

The aviation industry has long been criticized for its contribution to environmental degradation, particularly through carbon emissions. However, single-use plastics are also a growing concern, with airlines generating millions of tons of waste annually. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) estimates that each passenger leaves behind around 1.4 kilograms of trash per flight, amounting to over 6.7 million tons of trash per year. While cardboard and paper waste constitute a significant portion of this waste, plastic waste is also substantial, with an estimated 12% of airline waste comprising plastic.

Recognizing the need to address this issue, some airlines have begun exploring alternatives to single-use plastics and implementing waste reduction initiatives. For example, Air France pledged to replace 210 million single-use plastic items with sustainable alternatives by the end of 2019, while Iberia aimed to reduce 200,000 kg of plastic on its flights in 2023 by replacing plastic cutlery, straws, and packaging with sustainable options. Qantas has also introduced plastic-free headsets and pyjamas, claiming that this will divert one metre of plastic per person from landfills on every flight. Additionally, Qantas donates leftover catering from domestic flights to food rescue organizations, further reducing waste.

Despite these efforts, the industry faces challenges in reducing plastic waste due to restrictive regulations, particularly those related to the protection of the agricultural sector and animal health. Current regulations often require catering waste from international flights to be treated as high-risk, resulting in incineration or deep landfilling, which hinders recycling and reuse. To address this, IATA has released the "Reassessing Single-Use Plastic Products (SUPP) in the Airline Sector" report, assisting stakeholders in mitigating the environmental impacts of SUPP and implementing suitable solutions.

To facilitate progress, smarter waste regulations are needed. These regulations should allow for increased recycling while maintaining necessary health controls. For instance, flexible catering options, such as pre-ordering meals or adopting a pay-as-you-go approach, can significantly reduce untouched food waste. Additionally, technological advancements can play a role, as demonstrated by Air France and KLM, who introduced mobile applications to replace newspapers, reducing paper waste and carbon emissions. By embracing innovation and adapting regulations, the aviation industry can make strides towards minimizing plastic waste and creating a more sustainable future.

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