LATAM launches onboard recycling program

From August to December, LATAM Airlines will recycle more than 20 tons of aluminum, glass and plastic through a new onboard recycling program, Recycle Your Journey.

The program will recycle packaging and other items from Mercado LATAM, the carrier's onboard food service provider, and will roll out through domestic flights in Chile and LATAM's Latin America operations. The goal is to eventually recycle all packaging on all flights.

Aluminum, glass and plastic are currently being collected from passengers by the cabin crew and sorted. On arrival, the recyclables are picked up by LSG "sky chefs" and transported to local recycling centers.

Recycle Your Journey was in development for more than a year prior to its launch and underwent four trial programs. By 2020, LATAM says it expects to recycle more than 55 tons of onboard recyclables that were previously sent to landfill.

"As one of the three most sustainable airline groups in the world, we are committed to bringing about change and leading by example," President of LATAM Airlines Group Ignacio Cueto says in a news release. "Today’s launch of our ‘Recycle your Journey’ program on domestic flights in Chile represents just the first step towards the introduction of onboard recycling across our network.”

"Collaboration and cooperation are key aspects of the program," he adds. “Without the support and willingness of our passengers and the commitment of our cabin crew, onboard recycling is not possible."