Report shows 20% of airlines´ in-flight waste is recycled

Feb. 19 -- About 75% of airlines´ in-flight waste can be recycled, but only about 20% actually is, according to a new report from ResponsibleShopper.org, which calls itself a consumer watchdog Web site.

The Web site, operated by Green America, is out with "What Goes Up Must Go Down: The Sorry State of Recycling in the Airline Industry."

Green America ranked airlines from best to worst for recycling: Delta Airlines, Virgin America, Virgin Atlantic, Southwest Airlines, Continental Airlines, Jet Blue, American Airlines, British Airways, Air Tran, United Airlines, and US Airways.

Green America is a non-profit consumer organization that promotes environmental sustainability, social justice and economic justice.

"The good news is that airlines are starting to pay attention to recycling. The bad news is that they have a long way to go to improve the situation. Fortunately, airlines can overcome any of the challenges to creating in-flight recycling programs," said Victoria Kreha, lead researcher at Green America Responsible Shopper.

The report is at http://www.greenamericatoday.org/go/AirlineRecyclingReport/.

Contact Waste & Recycling News senior reporter Jim Johnson at 937-964-1289 or jpjohnson@crain.com

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