Sustainable cabin issues, like cabin waste management and single-use plastic removal and replacement, continue to be a visible indicator of an airline’s environmental performance. Actions taken in this regard have an immediate positive impact, but there are still challenges to produce better results and increase the speed of progress.
As aviation is such a complex ecosystem, logistical issues require further collaboration with different actors at all levels of the value chain. In addition, on the legislative front, there is a lack of harmonized and risk-based regulations across the world, as some requirements preclude the reuse and recycling.
To this end, the Transatlantic Recycling Trials on inbound flights from Europe to the US have sought to demonstrate to animal health regulators that segregation of uncontaminated reusable and recyclable materials from the cabin on international flights is feasible. A Proof of Concept document that scopes the Trial was developed by IATA and participating airlines and approved by the US Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).
The trials were conducted following APHIS’ recycling material exemptions for aluminium cans, glass, plastic bottles and carboard and paper, and allowed further understanding of different on-board segregation and stowage procedures, taking into consideration the flight characteristics and cabin layout, and on-ground waste handling processes.
“APHIS’ mission involves preventing damaging plant and animal pests and diseases from entering the country and spreading, so APHIS appreciates the airline industry's recognition of the importance of safeguarding American agricultural resources during this recycling trial,” says Karen Maguylo, National Policy Manager with APHIS’ Plant Protection and Quarantine program. “In addition, the data generated during the trial can inform efforts to enhance environmental sustainability through recycling materials onboard aircrafts.”
Running between September 2023 and May 2024, the Trials saw five airlines participating - British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Icelandair, Swiss and Lufthansa - with three different airports involved: New York JFK Airport (JFK), Seattle–Tacoma International Airport (SEA), and Newark Airport (EWR). The primary goal was to test and standardize operating procedures for onboard segregation and ground management of recyclable items that can be diverted from Regulated Garbage disposal, with the subsequent approval from the regulator to continue the trial as a continuous practice after an onsite assessment of the overall process.
Also, the Trials allowed to gather information on recyclable items as well as understand some of the challenges around logistical complexities in onboard segregation, space for recycling materials onboard and on the ground, and ensuring proper recyclable management.
“Participating in the Transatlantic Recycling Trial is a brilliant example of where collaboration across industries can deliver impact. Waste management is an important part of our BA Better World sustainability programme, and we are proud to become the first airline to recycle into New York as part of this trial and be recognized for this by winning the Environmental Initiatives Award at the 2024 SEAL Business Sustainability Awards. The results of this trial have the potential to help drive a shift for British Airways and airlines globally, with our learnings helping to unlock other airlines’ ability to achieve similar recycling segregation onboard”, mentions Molly Clayton, Customer Sustainability Manager, British Airways.
These types of trials are needed to involve all stakeholders in the early stages of a recycling processes, as they help to further negotiations and create opportunities for recyclers if infrastructure allows.
“Thanks to the close cooperation with IATA, the catering company “Flying Foods” in EWR airport and APHIS, Swiss International Air Lines was able to have its recycling process of onboard materials approved and is now proud to continue recycling to EWR after the test phase. Our crews already recycle in a standard process, and we hope that we can prove to other stations in the US through the trials that our recycling does not pose a threat to agricultural resources. Thanks to IATA's initiative, we hope that other airlines will follow along and that together we will have nationwide recycling options – because this is an important step towards our ambition to save finite resources from being disposed of. To underline this big step, we roughly calculated that about 40 tons of recyclable materials could be saved on all SWISS flights through recycling at all our US stations.”, said Manuel Henle, Sustainability Onboard & Lounges, Swiss International Air Lines.
The data collected will serve for future analyses, including building a business case to convince authorities to adapt legislation son international waste, and that the industry can use for enhanced recycling and reuse, as well as the potential development of global airline recycling and reuse procedures including labelling, training, and reporting.
“This project has proven to be a successful case of collaboration between the value chain, as the engagement of all the parties involved with regulatory bodies was crucial to develop a common understanding of the processes airlines and caterers need to follow. By working together, we have allowed for airlines to pass from a trial phase to an ongoing recycling process of certain items from international flights.” states Daniela Stange, Manager Corporate Sustainability, IATA. “This is one step into improving recycling and circularity of waste management, but we need to continue working to scale up these initiatives in different parts of the world.”
If you have further questions or want to participate in the Transatlantic Recycling Trials, please contact us.
