Beyond the runway – Quantifying the climate impact of international catering waste DOI Creative Commons

Leslie H. Pennington,

Andrew Welfle,

Ben Parkes

et al.

Waste Management, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 203, P. 114870 - 114870

Published: May 12, 2025

International flights generate substantial volumes of waste that pose a unique environmental challenge, as strict biosecurity regulations require it to be disposed through destructive methods across the world. However, impact on world's climate managing this remains unquantified and largely disregarded in aviation mitigation discussions. This study presents first analysis contribution cabin management change, developing novel methodology combines passenger movement data with generation factors quantify volumes, composition, greenhouse gas emissions national waste. Applied United Kingdom case study, our estimates approximately 89,000 tonnes entered UK 2022. generated between 10,400 40,500 CO2 equivalent due mandated disposal landfill or incineration. is driven by regulatory requirements prevent more sustainable treatment methods, slow industry innovations. Our model demonstrates allowing treated like domestic could benefits 33,900 equivalent, material energy recovery. With movements projected grow 2050, we identify specific actions enable while maintaining high levels biosecurity. research provides replicable framework for other nations their impacts, evidence-based pathways urgent regulation operational reform.

Language: Английский

Beyond the runway – Quantifying the climate impact of international catering waste DOI Creative Commons

Leslie H. Pennington,

Andrew Welfle,

Ben Parkes

et al.

Waste Management, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 203, P. 114870 - 114870

Published: May 12, 2025

International flights generate substantial volumes of waste that pose a unique environmental challenge, as strict biosecurity regulations require it to be disposed through destructive methods across the world. However, impact on world's climate managing this remains unquantified and largely disregarded in aviation mitigation discussions. This study presents first analysis contribution cabin management change, developing novel methodology combines passenger movement data with generation factors quantify volumes, composition, greenhouse gas emissions national waste. Applied United Kingdom case study, our estimates approximately 89,000 tonnes entered UK 2022. generated between 10,400 40,500 CO2 equivalent due mandated disposal landfill or incineration. is driven by regulatory requirements prevent more sustainable treatment methods, slow industry innovations. Our model demonstrates allowing treated like domestic could benefits 33,900 equivalent, material energy recovery. With movements projected grow 2050, we identify specific actions enable while maintaining high levels biosecurity. research provides replicable framework for other nations their impacts, evidence-based pathways urgent regulation operational reform.

Language: Английский

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