Thursday, July 4, 2024 The International Air Transport Association (IATA) is teaming up with the Aviation Sustainability Forum (ASF) to introduce a standardized Cabin Waste Composition Audit (CWCA), launching alongside the ASF Cabin Waste Composition Auditing Platform in September 2024. The CWCA trials were conducted in two phases, encompassing 25 flights across short, medium, and long-haul routes at Singapore’s Changi Airport in November 2023 and April 2024. ASF employed a methodology developed by IATA for these audits.
Initial findings reveal that the aviation sector generates more than 3.6 million metric tonnes of cabin and catering waste annually, with 65% attributed to food and beverage waste. Unopened meals constitute 18% of total waste.
The audit data will serve as a guide for airlines and policymakers in reducing waste levels and enhancing circularity by identifying opportunities for recycling and reuse. Previous IATA research identified inconsistencies in methodologies for cabin waste audits, hindering the availability of standardized data crucial for informed decision-making among policymakers, airlines, and caterers regarding waste management. Implementing a unified audit system will address these challenges and allow the sector to demonstrate advancements in waste reduction and circular economy practices.
“Managing and reducing waste is an important component of aviation’s overall sustainability. Obtaining standardized and comparable data regarding the compo.
