I have some great end of year recycling figures to share with you!

Between June – Dec 2007 the Atlanta program diverted 148.3 tons of material from local landfills.
From September to December the following locations also saw great success:

**Cincinnati collected and recycled 12.81 tons
**Salt Lake City collected and recycled 31.80 tons
**Seattle recycled 8.39 tons

On February 1st, 2008 we added Los Angeles, CA and Cleveland, OH as comprehensive in-flight recycling stations. This brings our total to 7! I am finalizing plans to bring additional stations on line in 2008. We must review the waste management program at each individual location and tailor Delta’s recycling program to fit the operation. There is no way to turn a switch and instantly recycle everywhere (But I wish this could be true).

A reader asked about reducing or altering the way we serve food/drinks on board. You are right that while recycling will help with waste issues, the first thing to do is reduce what we use. Honest to goodness dishware IS back in First Class – though in the winter, we opted for paper/plastic as a means to conserve water during the most serious months of the southeast drought. Containers and cups made of corn plastic or other biodegradable containers could be an alternative in the future – we are a ways away from the ability to compost at our kitchens…

Delta is making progress & I’m very glad that readers appreciate these first steps! Next time you fly with us – Thank your Flight Attendant when he/she recycles!

An example of this would be to reduce waste by minimizing the impact of the vast amounts of plastics you use for cutlery, serving ware, cups, etc. Why not look into the growing availability of food containers that are made of 100% organic materials? Take a look at http://www.eatware.com for example. Or, maybe cutlery made from potato starch and soy oils? All are easily compostable making recycling less of a concern. Heck even return to washable stainless ware would be an improvement, though we’d have to consider the increased fuel consumption due to the added weight.

The point is, we focus too much on the feel good sensations of recycling; which is nothing more that a guilt alleviator to soothe our over consumption. When I look at the amount of paper napkins, plastic cups, etc.. used on each and every single flight I board, I can only shake my head to think that we’re not looking beyond re-cycling.

That said, and to end on a positive note; EVERY LITTLE BIT HELPS and I commend you for kicking this program off. Now let’s work to make it continuously better.

I wonder how that 767 would have flown last night if it were burning used french fry oil?

Between July and October Delta’s In-Flight Recycling program collected and recycled 107 tons of materials in Atlanta. Atlanta has recycled approximately 5.27 million individual aluminum cans which would be enough aluminum to build a Boeing 747

The October figures are back on Salt Lake City – with the help of our passengers, Flight Attendants and Cabin Service Crews single handedly collected 12 tons of materials. This volume includes over 1 ton of Aluminum cans and 3 tons of mixed plastics. Believe it or not, the remaining 8 tons is paper (cardboard, magazines, newspaper, etc.).

I’ve been meaning to follow up on a few of your questions:

-Delta predominantly uses fluorescent bulbs onboard our aircraft which are recycled. Some first class lamps have LED bulbs.

-As our new food-for-purchase program is rolled out please note that the menus are printed on recycled paper with soy ink.

-This program was designed to be sustainable. As long as we have cans, plastics and newsprint onboard our airplanes we’ll recycle. Delta has an aggressive roll-out planned for 2008. As well, we will soon be implementing several recycling programs at our headquarters with the goal of having our employees incorporate recycling into their daily lives (both at home and at work).

-We are constantly looking for creative ways to encourage and energize Flight Attendants on the value of this program. Monthly statistics and other recycling facts are shared during briefings. Flight Attendants should know that passengers appreciate this initiative. If your flight crew is recycling – please stop and say “thank you!”

My question for you is this: How can Delta better educate it’s passengers on our recycling program? We have a short In-Flight Video and also a ‘static’ screen which will display on those aircraft with in-seat entertainment. What else would you like to see?

As we implement recycling programs across the country Delta will evaluate additional area, such as the Crown Rooms, to determine what materials can be effectively recycled. As I mentioned, recycling opportunities are everywhere, it will take some time to reach them all (but Delta is up to the challenge).

I never considered airport and airline trash until I started this project but have learned that each airport and airline handles their trash disposal differently. Some airports handle waste management contracts on behalf of the tenants and at other airports airlines will select a provider of their choosing. Thus, we do consider many angles/alternatives/vendors to gain recycling efficiency.

Some of our stations do collect and recycle out-of-date magazines. In implementing the comprehensive program, we will be able to bring this recycling opportunity to stations where it did not exist before.

During the creation of this program, one thing I heard loud and clear was that Flight Attendants did not have visibility to the volumes collected under the voluntary program. This was discouraging because Flight Attendants could not tell if their efforts were making an impact. Delta receives monthly reports from its recycling vendors and provides the results to not only Flight Attendants, but Cabin Services, Catering, Directors and Executives. Results are also displayed on corporate information screens so all employees will be able to watch the program grow. Additionally, we frequently visit the Flight Attendant lounges to talk about the program and cities where In-Flight Recycling occurs.

Has anyone seen our in-flight recycling video? What do you think?

Thanks!

Jennifer O