Aer Lingus has become the first airline to recycle on-board waste

Tuesday, July 11, 2023

Aer Lingus becomes first airline to introduce on-board recycling on short-haul flights into Ireland

The move is another big step by the airline towards reaching its ambitious sustainability targets.
It is now on target to be recycling 20% – 200 tonnes – of on-board waste from flights into Cork and Dublin airports by the end of 2023. This figure is scheduled to increase to 40% – 720 tonnes – by 2025.

European regulations governing international catering waste were imposed in 2002 following the Foot and Mouth outbreak, which inhibited the recycling of on-board waste.

However, the Department of Agriculture has confirmed that recycling can apply to any waste coming into Ireland that is not contaminated by animal by-products.

Aer Lingus has also become the first Irish airline to achieve a major international accreditation for its sustainability progress, reinforcing the work that has been undertaken by the airline and the positive progress that has been made.

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has given Aer Lingus an IEnvA Stage 2 Certification for its work in reducing carbon emissions across flight operations and corporate facilities.

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