Happy Earth Day Everyone!
I can not believe that I have let a whole year pass by without providing an update on Delta’s recycling programs. So let’s get down to business – here is where we stand as of December 2009.
Delta’s Comprehensive In-Flight Recycling Program
Date launched: 6.1.2007
Cities where Delta recycles on inbound mainline domestic flights: ABQ, ATL, BWI, BOS, ORD, CVG, CLE, DEN, DTW, FLL, IND, LAS, LAX, MEM, MIA, MSP, JFK, LGA, PDX, RDU, RSW, SMF, SLC, SAN, SFO, SEA, TPA, DCA.
How much we have recycled since launch: 3.7 million pounds of newspaper, magazines, cardboard, plastic cups, plastic bottles and aluminum cans have been diverted from landfills in the communities we serve.
What does this add up to?
- Recycled volume of paper equivalent to 2,413 cubic yards of landfill space
- Recycled enough mixed plastic to “save” 605 barrels of oil
- Recycled roughly 40 million individual aluminum cans
- Raised enough funds to build one Habitat for Humanity Home in Atlanta and a second in Cincinnati. We hope to build a third home in 2010.
Delta’s Aircraft Carpet Recycling Program
Date launched: Fall 2007
How much we recycled since launch: We’ve diverted 221,000 pounds of worn aircraft carpet from Atlanta area landfills through our partnership with Mohawk Aviation Carpet and Mohawk ReCover program.
What does this add up to?
- 70,899 square yards - the equivalent of 15 acres of land
- OR the approximate length of 12 American football fields
Employee Recycling Center at World Headquarters
Date launched: October 2007
How much we recycled since launch: The Employee Recycling Center (ERC) was designed to bring recycling opportunity to Atlanta based employees without access to curbside recycling. The facility also manages recyclables generated within the world headquarters itself. The program has diverted 1.6 million pounds of office paper, cardboard, paperboard, plastic bottles/jugs, aluminum cans and tin cans from local landfills.
What does this add up to?
- Net proceeds of $10,000 donated to Delta’s Employee & Retiree Care Fund - a program which aids Delta families in times of crisis
- Recycled volume of paper equivalent to 2,175 cubic yards of landfill space
- Recycled enough mixed plastic to “save” 94 barrels of oil
Additional Highlights from 2009
- A “Mini-ERC” opened last fall at Delta’s Technical Operations Facility in Atlanta. During first four months of operation we collected 1,160 pounds of plastic bottles/jugs & aluminum cans from both work and home.
- Delta hosted e-Waste collection events in CVG and ATL to provide our employees with an opportunity to properly recycle obsolete electronic items such as: computers, monitors, TV’s, VCR’s, digital cameras and tape players. 350 people participated and 27,000 pounds of material was recycled.
What’s Next?
In addition to maintaining and expanding our current programs, Delta continuously seeks opportunities to minimize waste and maximize recycling. We do have a great new recycling story to share - though the cat will have to remain in the bag for a little while longer……. STAY TUNED!
Is your family recycling? Have you recycled on your Delta flights? You can tweet us @deltablog or post your comments here.
Jennifer O.
Environmental Engineer, Environmental Services
July 30th, 2010 at 7:19 pm
Jennifer,
Great news on recycling but I have to report that in the fleet the cabin crew recycles only when its convenient for them (not always, but often). So they will do the sweep with the recycle bag but often just once, and the pre-landing sweep is done with the grey plastic bag.
Also, why don’t they recycle the liquor bottles or wine bottles? On the many flights I have been on when I have my trash separated they will keep the plastic cup but toss the little plastic vodka bottle which is also recyclable.
And here’s a ‘pre-cycling’ tip. To save a ton of trees tell the flight attendants that they don’t need to bring a napkin every time they bring you something. I sometimes end a flight with six napkins!