IATA Launches Groundbreaking Study on the Impact of Single Use Plastics in Aviation

12-04-24

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has launched a groundbreaking report entitled "Reassessing Single Use Plastics Products in the Airline Sector," designed to serve as a comprehensive roadmap for airlines, regulators and suppliers in the airline industry to mitigate the environmental impact caused by single-use plastic products (SUPP). 

Published on April 10, 2024, this study comes at a crucial time, coinciding with discussions by the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee under the auspices of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), which is seeking to establish a binding international treaty on SUPP management by the end of the year.

Despite their convenience in terms of hygiene, safety and lightness, SUPPs have become a focus of environmental concern within the aviation sector due to their significant contribution to waste generation and pollution. Against this backdrop, the industry faces the challenge of finding sustainable alternatives that not only comply with safety and security regulations, but also facilitate the transition to greener and more sustainable practices.

The report highlights technical and operational obstacles, as well as the lack of harmonized, risk-based legislation, as key barriers to effective recycling and the adoption of a circular economy approach to waste management. It further highlights the importance of strategic collaboration along the entire aviation value chain to overcome these challenges and promote the implementation of more sustainable practices.

With a series of recommendations aimed at airlines, regulators and supply chains, the IATA study proposes a sector-wide approach to SUPP management. Suggestions include finding viable alternatives to these products, developing a unified regulatory framework to facilitate recycling and sustainable waste management, and encouraging collaboration between all relevant industry players to share best practices and innovative solutions.

Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA's Senior Vice President of Sustainability and Chief Economics Officer, emphasized the importance of this study as a valuable resource for the industry, alluding to the need for collective commitment to effectively address the use of SUPPs. "This study not only identifies challenges, but also offers practical and realistic recommendations that can be tailored to the specific needs of each airline's unique environment, promoting a comprehensive approach to sustainability," said Owens Thomsen.

Supported by Travel Without Plastic and WRAP, this IATA report is positioned as a key tool to guide the aviation industry towards a greener and more sustainable future, reducing its reliance on single-use plastics and encouraging a shift towards more environmentally responsible practices.