I’m still a newcomer to Delta, having joined the airline in April as managing director – Safety, Health and Environment. During that time I’ve witnessed firsthand the efforts here to build a better, more sustainable airline for our customers, our employees and the communities we serve. I wanted to take a moment to share with you some of what we’ve achieved as well as some of our challenges ahead.
It’s all outlined in a new report that we’re featuring on delta.com – our 2009 Corporate Responsibility Report. It’s not the first time Delta has produced a report on its efforts to be a good corporate citizen, but it is the first such report for the new Delta, following our successful merger with Northwest Airlines.
In 2009, Delta’s In-Flight Recycling program diverted over 2 million pounds (1,000 tons) of aluminum, mixed paper and plastic from domestic flights serving 29 cities.
The report contains information on our environmental, safety, community and financial initiatives from 2007 through 2009. But it’s important to remember that there are thousands of people behind those hard numbers – Delta people who have risen to the challenge of making our airline a positive force in the communities we serve!
Here are some of results stemming from all the hard work of my 75,000 Delta colleagues:
- Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions
- Expansion in our recycling programs and our commitment to exploring options for alternative fuels in our industry
- New community affairs programs and stewardship efforts
- Wellness plans and our commitment to diversity
It’s all detailed in the report, which gives us a lot to be proud of! At the same time, it’s also a reminder of the work that lies ahead as we continue to strive to be the best possible airline for our customers, employees and communities.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts as we continue our efforts.
Helen Howes
Managing Director – Safety, Health and Environment
December 21st, 2010 at 2:02 pm
It is encouraging to read about Delta’s greening efforts – clearly ahead of most airlines’ dismal efforts to lessen the environmental impact of air travel. However, as I am typing this, I am actually on a Delta flight right now (thanks for in-flight WiFi!), from San Francisco to Atlanta, and witnessing quite a few shortcomings. Besides no separation of trash (I must assume this means no recycling), there seems to be little consideration of waste prevention – clearly a step that should come first, before recycling. The flight attendants keep coming through the aisles, collecting everybody’s plastic cups, just to hand out fresh ones a few minutes later. I asked one why Delta wouldn’t allow passengers to keep their cup and just get it refilled? “Because refilling can cause cross contamination.” The answer does not make any sense to me. I am the only one using my cup, and as I hold it up for a refill, the bottle the attendant is pouring from doesn’t even get close to my cup, let alone touch it to where any contaminants could be transferred. I am counting my fellow passengers’ cups… one hour into the flight they have already each gone through 3 cups. You don’t have to be a mathematician to figure out what mind boggling number of plastic cups Delta throws out on just one flight, let alone a whole day or even year of operations. What scientific cross contamination evidence justifies this wasteful practice? I am sure that Delta’s lawyers have a long answer to this, but the bottom line is that without some common sense and true effort to decrease airlines’ environmental footprint, the greening efforts will be good PR but make little real difference. I would love a response. Thanks! Stefanie