Cabin waste is a challenge, generating huge amounts of waste for many airlines. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is collaborating with the Aviation Sustainability Forum (ASF) to conduct a standardised Cabin Waste Composition Audit programme (CWCA).
The ASF’s Cabin Waste Composition Auditing (CWCA) platform is set to be launched in September.
CABIN WASTE FROM FLIGHTS
Preliminary results indicate that the aviation sector is generating over 3.6 million metric tonnes of cabin and catering waste annually.
Up to 65% of this is food and beverage waste. Untouched meals account for 18% of all waste.
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CABIN WASTE COMPOSITION AUDIT
Thus far, cabin waste composition audits have been trialed in two stages.
The trials included 25 flights (short, medium, and long-haul) at Singapore’s Changi Airport in November 2023 and April this year.
Sustainabilitymenews reports that ASF conducted the audits based on a methodology developed by IATA.
REUSE AND RECYCLING OF CABIN WASTE
Data gathered from the audits will indeed guide the airline industry and policymakers in their efforts to reduce levels of waste.
Furthermore, this will help to improve circular economy by identifying opportunities for reuse and recycling.
ASF Founder Matt Crane said, “The ASF’s mission is to help the aviation sector reduce the levels of cabin waste generated and achieve higher levels of waste recovery and circularity.”
CABIN WASTE COMPOSITION AUDITS TO DRIVE SUSTAINABILITY IN AVIATION
Ultimately, a standardised audit will surely help solve waste issues and enable the sector to demonstrate progress in waste reduction and improved circularity.
IATA’s Senior Vice President Sustainability and Chief Economist Marie Owens Thomsen stated, “Managing and reducing waste is an important component of aviation’s overall sustainability.”
QUALITY DATA TO GUIDE AIRLINES
Owens Thomsen said that obtaining standardised and comparable data regarding the composition and quantity of waste from flights will in fact help the industry reduce the waste it generates.
“Better data will also help policymakers to harmonize regulations, which in turn can help optimize the industry’s capability to sort, re-cycle and safely re-use waste that cannot be avoided.” Owens Thomsen said.
Data is therefore essential for moving ahead in finding the right solutions for the issue at hand. Hence the need for these standardised audits.
“Working with IATA to develop a cabin waste composition auditing standard for the sector is a significant step forward. Effectively managing cabin waste is a challenge that can be solved with the backing of data.” Crane said.
