LATAM reduces plastic consumption by 77%

For the next three decades, LATAM has embarked on a sustainability program.

By 2023, LATAM Airlines Group (LA) will reach a significant sustainability milestone, reducing single-use plastic usage across its South American operations by nearly 77%.

Sustainability program at LATAM

South America’s largest airline, by fleet size, began a sustainability program in 2021, aiming to eliminate single-use plastics by 2023, eliminate landfill waste by 2027, and become carbon-neutral by 2050.

With a severe climate crisis and a pandemic, humanity is facing a critical moment in history, according to Roberto Alvo, LATAM’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO). As a result, we are committing to contributing to ecosystem conservation and to the well-being of South American people, he said.

As of 2022, the company has already reduced single-use plastics by 77%. In a statement, the airline noted that bamboo fiber cutlery, reusable trays, kraft paper packaging, and poly paper cups were substituted for cups, cutlery, and trays on international flights in order to achieve this achievement. More than 1,200 tons of single-use plastic were eliminated by LATAM as a result of this measure.

In the premium cabin, LATAM has adopted reusable bags to hold the resting elements, as well as new, more sustainable amenity kits for passengers, including bamboo fiber toothbrushes with sugar cane packaging, kraft paper packaging for earplugs and socks, and recycled plastic eye patches.

Are there going to be more changes?

Paulo Miranda, Vice President of Customers at LATAM, stated earlier this year that these proposed goals have challenged the company to rethink its onboard service design.

Despite the fact that this is a gradual process, we will continue to implement significant changes that will benefit our communities and ecosystems.

LATAM has partnered with several initiatives in addition to its onboard service. Through its collaboration with Eureciclo, LATAM compensated the environment for 92 tons of waste that was generated on flights that originated or landed at 12 Brazilian airports that did not have selective collection services, for example. This volume of waste compensated by LATAM could fill almost two Boeing 767 cargo aircraft, according to the company.

Through upcycling partnerships and income generation for the sewists, the airline reused about 30 tons of used uniforms in Brazil in 2022.

LATAM also signed a carbon agreement earlier this month that would allow it to capture up to 11.3 million tons of carbon dioxide on a 575,000-hectare property. By 2030, the airline hopes to reduce and offset 50% of its domestic emissions. As part of the partnership with the Cataruben Foundation, floodable savannah and forests are being conserved and restored in Colombia’s Orinoquía region.