The airline industry is one that produces excessive amount
of material, from technology to uniforms to seat cushions, that can often go to
waste quickly. Safety regulations require replacing seat covers, life vests,
and other materials after a few years. Logo changes or mergers can reface many
planes, uniforms, and check-in areas, overhauling tons of materials in a matter
of months.
Major recycling efforts have been pioneered by several airlines,
such as Delta and AirFrance-KLM. Useless fabric from
seats and uniforms have been remade into bags, wallets, quilts, and even
carpets. Carpets are recycled into new carpets, or when its utility has run
out, is passed onto the cement industry as secondary fuel. Meal trays are
remolded into cutlery, and retired aircrafts are carefully looked over for
reusable parts.
There have also been philanthropic efforts by airlines such
as Finnair. Old uniforms are used for
cleaning up oil spills, and blankets, clothing and furniture are sent to
refugee camps among others in need.
Either approach is a great step in utilizing the full life
cycle of products and materials. Kudos to these airlines for leading the pack!
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