Airline recycling: United and US Airways fail

Airlines are falling short in their recycling practices, according to a new report out by Green America's consumer watchdog Web site, ResponsibleShopper.org.

Overall, the report found that airlines could recycle nearly 500 million more pounds of waste each year — including 250 million pounds of in-flight waste.

But while airlines acknowledge the importance of recycling waste, the group found that no airline recycles all the major recyclables: aluminum cans, glass, plastic and paper. No airline has a comprehensive program for minimizing or composting food waste or waste from snack packages, provides good public information about their recycling program, or reports out on progress in relation to any stated goals.

The lead researcher on the study, Green America's Victoria Kreha said in a statement, "The good news is that airlines are starting to pay attention to recycling; the bad news is that they have a long way to go to improve the situation."

The airlines were ranked by Green America in the order of their progress on recycling, from best to worst they were: Delta Airlines, Virgin America, Virgin Atlantic, Southwest Airlines, Continental Airlines, Jet Blue, American Airlines, British Airways, Air Tran, United Airlines, and US Airways.

Green America, a green economy research and publishing organization formerly known as Co-Op America, is urging its constituents to get involved by emailing airline executives sharing their experiences with recycling and air travel. Read the full report here.