U.S. Airlines Should Adopt In-Flight Recycling, Says Green Skies

U.S passenger airlines and the airports they serve should adopt the goal of recycling 200 million cans and plastic bottles from in-flight trash, or 25% of the total, within five years, said Green Skies, an Orlando-based aviation consulting firm. An analysis by the company shows that in 2008 alone there will be more than 7,000 tons of onboard aluminum and plastic used in flight for passenger service that can be recycled.

“U.S. airlines, and their airport partners, should be examining all climate change issues, including the waste generated on board by 700 million passengers last year,” said Green Skies CEO Michael Miller. Domestically, U.S. carriers are forecast to carry 800 million passengers by 2013, generating 8,500 tons of aluminum can and plastic bottle waste annually.

Green Skies is advocating a modest 25% recycling goal for inflight waste by 2013; a 50% goal by 2015 and a 100% goal by 2018. During the 2008-2013 period, U.S. carriers alone will use more than 2.7 billion aluminum cans on board domestic flights, in addition to 5,400 tons of plastic cups and bottles. Most of the waste will be sent to landfills. When adding the 50 million inbound international passengers who land in the U.S. each year, the savings would be even greater.

“Throughout North America, there is a need to embrace environmental responsibility more urgently than is being done today. The recycling of drink containers and bottles served to passengers in the air is a no-brainer,” said Miller. “But the airlines can’t begin this until all of their airport partners have put recycling processes in place themselves. While many airports have in-terminal recycling, many do not.” Airlines and airports can save money by diverting waste from landfills and avoiding landfill fees for the items recycled.

Green Skies, www.greenskies.com, is an aviation consulting and conference management company based in Orlando, Florida. Conference registration is open for the Green Skies Conference & Exhibition, held May 21-23, 2008 in Orlando. Green Skies will donate a portion of the proceeds of the event to environmental causes of importance to attendees.