IATA collaborates with ASF on new cabin waste audit program

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IATA collaborates with ASF on new cabin waste audit program

Jon Jezo National Accounts Manager | AviationPros

By Sky Industry News

Jul 5, 2024

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is collaborating with the Aviation Sustainability Forum (ASF) to launch a standardized Cabin Waste Composition Audit (CWCA). The ASF Cabin Waste Composition Auditing Platform is set to be launched in September 2024.

CWCA audits have already been trialed in two waves, covering 25 flights—short, medium, and long-haul—at Singapore’s Changi Airport in November 2023 and April 2024. ASF conducted these audits based on a methodology developed by IATA. Preliminary results indicate that the sector generates over 3.6 million metric tonnes of cabin and catering waste annually, with 65% being food and beverage waste. Untouched meals account for 18% of all waste.

Audit data will guide the airline industry and policymakers in their efforts to reduce waste levels and improve circularity by identifying opportunities for reuse and recycling. Previous IATA research identified the lack of a standardized methodology for conducting cabin waste audits, resulting in a lack of harmonized data to support decision-making by policymakers, airlines, and caterers regarding waste-related issues. A standardized audit aims to address these issues and enable the sector to demonstrate progress towards waste reduction and improved circularity.

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“Managing and reducing waste is an important component of aviation’s overall sustainability. Obtaining standardized and comparable data regarding the composition and quantity of waste from flights will help the industry to 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, recycle, and safely reuse waste that cannot be avoided. Working with ASF in developing this audit program is a significant step forward in improving the circularity of the sector,” said Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA’s senior vice president sustainability and chief economist.

“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. 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 backing from data. It is the responsibility of the sector and its regulators to come together, understand the problem, and align on needed solutions,” said Matt Crane, ASF’s founder.