IATA has published a report on the use of single use plastic items, known as SUPPs, in the aircraft cabin.

SUPPs are widely used in aviation due to their strength, lightness, and ability to meet safety and security regulations. However, there is pressure to replace these plastics with sustainable alternatives. The report notes that airlines face technical and operational obstacles, as well as the lack of harmonised and risk-based regulations that present a ‘significant barrier’ to improving recycling and circularity of waste management.

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Collaboration across the aviation value chain is vital 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.

“Airlines are taking a comprehensive approach to sustainability that includes addressing the environmental impact of SUPP. The recommendations of this report will help airlines, regulators and the supply chain to manage the complexities of reducing SUPP. This includes finding alternatives to SUPP, creating a harmonized 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,” said Marie Owens Thomsen, IATA SVP Sustainability and Chief Economist.

The IATA passenger insights survey conducted in November 2023 showed that more than three quarters of passengers would feel better about flying if it did not involve any disposable plastics, and that they would be happy to support fewer food and beverage options so that airlines could achieve this. The IATA Shipper Survey 2022 showed that 50% 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.

The report was prepared by IATA with support from Travel Without Plastic and WRAP.