The International Air Transport Association (IATA) published the report "Reassessment of single-use plastic products in the airline sector" to help airlines, regulators and the airline supply chain mitigate the environmental impacts of products. single-use plastics (SUPP).
This publication is timely as the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) has convened an intergovernmental negotiating committee (INC) to develop a legally binding international agreement on the use of SUPP by the end of 2024.
SUPPs are widely used in aviation due to their strength, lightness, and ability to meet safety regulations. However, the airline sector faces challenges associated with improving cabin waste performance and replacing SUPP with sustainable alternatives. Additionally, airlines face technical and operational obstacles, and the lack of harmonized, risk-based regulations presents a significant barrier to improving recycling and circularity in waste management. The absence of smart regulation continues to limit airlines' efforts to improve the sustainability of cabin operations.
Collaboration across the aviation value chain is vital to enable the adoption of circular economy principles and facilitate the reduction and replacement of SUPP that is necessary to reduce waste and increase material recovery.
The report advocates a sectoral approach to SUPP management in aviation with a clear set of recommendations. Key recommendations include:
For airlines:
Reduce waste at source by reviewing standards and procedures through the lens of waste reduction and reuse, and professionally assess the need for SUPP. Set clear goals for elimination, measure and track implementation, and disseminate progress.
Introduce reusable items as a strategy to promote circularity. This requires logistical changes incorporating a closed-loop service, including the impact of the potential additional weight of reusable materials on aircraft on fuel consumption and carbon emissions.
Improve waste management and recovery by facilitating waste segregation on board and ashore, and conducting waste composition audits for passenger and cargo operations.
For regulators:
Proactively encourage SUPP minimization by addressing the need for simple and harmonized regulations and legislation. Develop guidance that enables common global definitions and standards for alternative products including labeling, integrity and certifications.
Create the infrastructure and frameworks that will make reuse models possible, being aware and responsive to the characteristics of international airline operations.
Support a clear methodology and the exchange of good practices as essential elements to ensure that segregation processes are efficient and effective.
Support the development of infrastructure for waste segregation and recovery at or near airport facilities.
For the supply chain:
Participate in or host solution-focused discussions involving key stakeholders, to help identify and implement process changes that prioritize end-to-end solutions that ensure best practices and promote regulatory change.
Increase collaboration between the public and private sectors and make significant investments to implement circular economy principles in the airline value chain to enable considerable changes in processes and procedures for both upstream and downstream stakeholders.
"Airlines are taking a comprehensive approach to sustainability that includes addressing the environmental impact of SUPP. The recommendations in this report will help airlines, regulators and the supply chain manage the complexities of reducing SUPP. This includes finding alternatives to SUPP, create a harmonized system "Importantly, these recommendations leverage the experience of all participants in the aviation sector to develop, adapt and implement solutions that best fit the unique environment of an aircraft," said Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA Senior Vice President, Sustainability and Chief Economist.
The IATA passenger information survey conducted in November 2023 showed that more than three-quarters of passengers would feel better about flying if it did not involve any SUPP, and that they would be happy to accept fewer food and drink options for that airlines could achieve it. The 2022 IATA Carrier Survey showed that 50% of cargo customers include reducing waste along the supply chain among their top priorities and cargo operators are receiving requests from end customers to reduce waste. associated packaging and plastic wrapping.
This report was prepared by IATA with the support of Travel Without Plastic and WRAP.