IATA Report To Help Airlines Deal With Single-Use Plastic Products

New Study Offers Mitigation Strategies

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has unveiled the ‘Reassessing Single-Use Plastics Products in the Airline Sector’ report, which aims to aid airlines, regulators, and the airline supply chain in mitigating the environmental impacts of single-use plastic products (SUPP).

Released at a crucial juncture, the publication arrives as the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) convenes an intergovernmental negotiating committee (INC) to craft an international legally binding agreement on SUPP use by the end of the year.

Single-use plastics have long been integral to aviation due to their durability, lightweight nature, and adherence to safety and security protocols.

Key Challenges

Yet, the aviation sector grapples with challenges concerning enhanced cabin waste management and transitioning to sustainable alternatives to SUPP.

Technical and operational hurdles persist, compounded by the absence of unified and risk-based regulations, which hinder recycling efforts and waste management circularity.

The lack of coherent regulations constrains airlines from enhancing cabin operations’ sustainability.

Crucially, the report underscores the imperative for collaboration across the aviation value chain to embrace circular economy principles and expedite the reduction and substitution of SUPP to curtail waste and bolster material recovery.

Advocating for a sectoral approach, the report furnishes a set of clear recommendations, including:

For Airlines:

• Reduce waste at its source by reassessing standards and procedures to prioritise waste reduction and reuse.
• Incorporate clear targets for SUPP elimination, track implementation progress, and disclose findings.
• Introduce reusable items to promote circularity, recognising the logistical adjustments required, including potential impacts on aircraft weight and emissions.

For Regulators:

• Proactively advocate for SUPP minimisation through harmonised regulations and legislation.
• Foster infrastructure and frameworks conducive to reuse models tailored to international airline operations’ characteristics.
• Champion efficient and effective segregation processes through transparent methodologies and the sharing of best practices.
• Support infrastructure development for waste segregation and recovery near airport premises.

For the Supply Chain:

• Participate in solution-focused discussions to identify and implement process changes prioritising end-to-end solutions.
• Foster public-private sector collaboration and substantial investments to integrate circular economy principles across the airline sector value chain.

Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA’s Senior Vice President of Sustainability and Chief Economist, said: “Airlines are embracing a comprehensive sustainability approach, which includes tackling SUPP’s environmental impact.

“The recommendations outlined in this report will empower airlines, regulators, and the supply chain to navigate the complexities of SUPP reduction. This entails exploring alternatives, establishing a harmonised regulatory framework, and fostering sector-wide collaboration, leveraging the expertise of all stakeholders within the aviation sector.”

The report’s recommendations resonate with recent IATA passenger insights surveys, revealing a strong preference among passengers for flights devoid of SUPP. Furthermore, cargo customers prioritise waste reduction along the supply chain, with cargo operators fielding requests to minimise plastic packaging and wrapping.

The report, prepared by IATA with support from Travel Without Plastic and WRAP, signals a collective commitment to charting a sustainable future for aviation, where SUPP’s footprint is significantly diminished.

Featured image: Airlines are urged to introduce reusable items to promote circularity. Credit: Arnold Pinto