Airlines and Caterers Struggle to Reduce Cabin Waste

Global Recycling Day highlights the complex regulatory challenges in recycling airline cabin waste

Mar. 20, 2026 at 12:00pm

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As the airline industry marks Global Recycling Day, the complex issue of cabin waste remains a significant challenge. While airlines and suppliers are making incremental improvements, regulatory requirements that vary locally rather than globally continue to hamper progress. Industry bodies like IATA and data consultancies like the Aviation Sustainability Forum (ASF) are advocating for clearer international standards to enable more effective recycling programs.

Why it matters

Cabin waste from commercial airlines is a massive environmental issue, estimated at around 4 million tonnes globally in 2025. However, only about 30% of this waste is currently recyclable due to regulations around international catering waste (ICW) that require incineration or landfill disposal. Standardizing regulations and enabling more recycling could significantly reduce the environmental impact of the airline industry.

The details

ASF data shows that of the 4 million tonnes of cabin waste in 2025, around 30% was potentially recyclable, including 13% plastic, 9% paper, 4% glass, 3% aluminum, and 1% bamboo cutlery. However, any item that has come into contact with animal byproducts must be treated as ICW and cannot be recycled. This nuanced regulation, which varies by region, makes it challenging for airlines to implement effective recycling programs.

  • Global Recycling Day was marked on March 18, 2026.
  • In September 2024, US Customs and Border Protection announced a program to enable recycling of certain cabin waste items at select US airports.
  • In November 2024, Alaska Airlines partnered with Ridwell to recycle certain snack packaging exempt from ICW regulations.
  • In 2024, the European Commission clarified rules for Category 1 waste, enabling more recycling on inbound flights to Europe.
  • The EU recently announced a ban on single-use plastics by 2030, which conflicts with ICW regulations.

The players

Aviation Sustainability Forum (ASF)

A data consultancy that collaborates with IATA on cabin waste composition audits and advocates for clearer international standards.

IATA

The International Air Transport Association, an industry body that publishes guidance on international catering waste regulations.

Diana Cawley

CEO of the Aviation Sustainability Forum.

US Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

A US government agency working with IATA and the USDA to enable recycling of certain cabin waste items at select US airports.

Alaska Airlines

An airline that partnered with Ridwell to recycle certain snack packaging exempt from ICW regulations.

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What they’re saying

“Given the complex, time-bound nature of flight operations, segregating cabin wastes and recyclables from domestic and international flights can prove challenging and many airports or their respective animal health inspectors deem all cabin waste to be ICW.”

— IATA

“Not all items can be reused or recycled, so what will [airlines] use instead?”

— Diana Cawley, CEO, Aviation Sustainability Forum

“What our benchmark audits offer is trustworthy data, not just an opinion. Our standard methodology makes it far easier to start building meaningful recycling programs.”

— Diana Cawley, CEO, Aviation Sustainability Forum

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This issue highlights the need for global standardization of regulations around cabin waste recycling. While some progress is being made, the complex patchwork of local rules continues to hamper airlines' efforts to significantly reduce their environmental impact through more effective recycling programs.