When Delta Airlines embarked on its plan to earn a Green Star award, the company implemented a comprehensive plan to integrate recycling and waste reduction into all aspects of its Anchorage operation. Delta recycles more than 5,000 pounds of paper products each month, including office paper, newspapers, magazines, and cardboard. The company also recycles aluminum cans and carefully controls unnecessary waste from flights and offices.
Antifreeze recycling saves Delta approximately $500 annually. Delta has its own antifreeze recycler and maintains records to ensure compliance with all environmental regulations. In-flight pillows, blankets, and headsets are sent out for recycling and cleaning.
To reduce in-flight waste and save energy, Delta is testing a carbonation drink cart in its East Coast markets. The carbonation cart was proposed by flight attendants and is being implemented by the In-Flight Continuous Improvement team. The cart stores the soft drinks choice bottles, rather than cans, and is dispensed through a fountain system. Test results found that weight on each flight could be reduced by 196 pounds, which translates into a $2,600 fuel savings. In addition, no product waste is generated, compared to a 10% waste with the current system. The test reduced inventory from 2,666 cases of soft drinks to 222 cases in the test cities.
As a forum of communication for recycling ideas within the company Delta developed a newsletter, compiled by its WasteWatchers committee. Delta maintains a library of these and other environmental newsletters for employees to read.
Due to the enhanced security measures placed at all airports, Delta has temporarily suspended its office recycling, but still continues to recycle items from aircrafts. In 2000, Delta recycled 9,340 pounds of magazines, 5,065 pounds of cardboard, 1,260 pounds of office paper, 480 pounds of newspaper, and 50 pounds of mixed paper.
So far in 2001, Delta has recycled 8,500 pounds of magazines, 250 pounds of office paper, and 22 pounds of ink jet cartridges. Several other items have been discontinued temporarily. Delta hopes in reinstate its full recycling program as soon as is feasible.
Delta Airlines http://www.delta.com
