IATA rallies airlines, regulators behind ‘ban’ on single-use plastic products

Ahead of a major decision against Single-use Plastic Products (SUPP) in December, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has urged airlines, regulators, and other operators to start preparing for life without those cabin-essential items.

IATA, the clearing house for over 280 world airlines, told stakeholders in Nigeria and other countries to start adopting reusable substitutes, have a common framework, and participate in discussions on mitigating the environmental impacts of SUPP.

IATA gave this directive just as the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) convened an intergovernmental negotiating committee (INC) to develop an international legally binding agreement on SUPP use by the end of 2024. Feelers suggest that the agreement may include a ban on SUPP. Single-use plastic products are commonplace in aviation due to their strength, lightness, and ability to meet safety and security regulations.

However, the airline sector faces challenges associated with improved cabin waste performance and the replacement of SUPP with sustainable alternatives. The absence of smart regulation continues to constrain airline efforts to improve the sustainability of cabin operations.

Meanwhile, an IATA passenger insights survey conducted in November 2023, showed that more than a third-quarter of passengers would feel better about flying if it did not involve any SUPP, and that they would be happy to support fewer food and beverage options so that airlines could achieve this.

Similarly, the IATA Shipper Survey 2022 showed that 50 per cent of cargo customers include waste reduction along the supply chain among their top priorities and cargo operators are receiving requests from end customers to reduce the associated plastic packaging and wrapping. But all of these are at a cost to the airlines and customers.

IATA, therefore, called for collaboration across the aviation value chain, to enable the adoption of circular economy principles and to facilitate the reduction and replacement of SUPP that is necessary for reducing waste and increasing material recovery.

For the airlines, the clearing house recommended a reduction of waste at source, by reviewing standards and procedures through the lens of waste reduction and reuse and professionally assessing the need for SUPP. It urged airlines to set clear targets for the elimination, measurement, and tracking implementation, and disclose progress.

Also, to introduce reusable items as a strategy to drive circularity. This requires logistical changes that incorporate a closed-loop service, including the impact of potential added weight of reusables on aircraft on fuel burn and carbon emissions. Improve waste management and recovery by facilitating onboard and ground waste segregation, and undertaking waste composition audits for passenger and cargo operations.

For regulators, IATA recommended the proactive minimisation of SUPP, by addressing the need for simple harmonised regulations and legislation. Develop guidance that allows for global common definitions and standards for alternative products that include labelling, integrity and certifications.

Create the infrastructure and frameworks that will make reuse models possible, while being aware of and responsive to the characteristics of international airline operations.

Endorse a clear methodology and sharing good practices as essential to ensuring that segregation processes are efficient and effective. Support the development of infrastructure for waste segregation and recovery at or close to airport premises.

IATA’s SVP on Sustainability and Chief Economist, Marie Owens Thomsen, noted that airlines are taking a comprehensive approach to sustainability that includes addressing the environmental impact of SUPP. Thomsen said that the above recommendations, and others, would help airlines, regulators and the supply chain to manage the complexities of reducing SUPP.

“This includes finding alternatives to SUPP, creating a harmonised regulatory framework, and promoting sector-wide collaboration. Importantly, these recommendations take advantage of the expertise of all participants in the aviation sector to develop, adapt and implement the solutions best suited to an aircraft’s unique environment,” Thomsen said.