American Airlines Cargo Continues To Reduce Plastic Waste

American Airlines Cargo has continued to invest in reducing plastic waste in its operations through its partnership with BioNatur Plastics.

The two companies launched their partnership in 2022 with the airline utilising  BioNatur Plastics’ biodegradable plastic products for lower deck pallet covers, heavy-duty poly sheeting, stretch wrap, bottom sheeting and plastic covers.

In the first year of the partnership, American Airlines Cargo reduced its yearly long-term traditional plastic waste by the equivalent of 6.4m plastic water bottles.

Last year, the partnership resulted in a reduction of long-term plastic waste by the equivalent of 12.6m plastic water bottles – a nearly 100% increase compared to 2022 levels.

In 2023, the airline reduced plastic waste by the equivalent 8.6m bottles.

BioNatur Plastics supplies biodegradable and 100% recyclable plastic products that do not break down into micro-plastics and instead biodegrade in a landfill environment within eight to 12 years.

American currently uses BioNatur plastic at most of its US hubs, as well as at smaller domestic stations and in Latin America, with plans to continue expanding use of the biodegradable plastic across all operations in place of traditional plastic.

"We have a strong and successful partnership with BioNatur Plastics, and I’m pleased to see how much our efforts to migrate more of our operations plastic use to their biodegradable products is helping us reduce our long-term waste and overall footprint,” said Greg Schwendinger, president, American Airlines Cargo.

“To see the progress over just three years shows how implementing sustainable practices can truly make a difference. We look forward to continuing to work toward a green future.”