02 March 2010

United flunks recycling test while Delta scores higher

Airlines are only recycling 20 percent of the 75 percent of what they could, according to an industry group.

"Delta, Virgin America, Virgin Atlantic and Southwest are doing the best job," says ResponsibleShopper.org.

The report admits airlines are taking steps to reduce their waste but that United and US are doing the worst job in recycling.

"Overall, airlines could recycle nearly 500 million more tons of waste each year (including 250 million tons of in-flight waste)," according to the report.

While airlines acknowledge the importance of recycling waste, no airline recycles all the major recyclables: aluminum cans, glass, plastic, and paper, says ResponsibleShopper.

"No airline has a comprehensive program for minimizing or composting food waste or waste from snack packages, provides good public information about their recycling program, or reports out on progress in relation to any stated goals," the group says.

In addition, all airlines provide over-packaged snacks and meals; none of the airlines are working with manufacturers to reduce this waste, the report claims.

The Green America airline recycling rankings are (from best to worst): Delta Airlines, Virgin America, Virgin Atlantic, Southwest Airlines, Continental Airlines, Jet Blue, American Airlines, British Airways, Air Tran, United Airlines, and US Airways.

ResponsibleShopper informs concerned consumers about problematic corporate practices, action campaigns and ways to live greener in relation to more than 150 major consumer companies.

By David Wilkening