Driven by the global wave of plastics reduction, the aviation industry is accelerating its transition to sustainability, where the application of compostable plastic bags is becoming a key breakthrough. From the us air cargo company to the three major Chinese airlines, the world of international aviation is reinventing the ecology of onboard supplies and giving new impetus to an environmentally friendly flight through innovative materials and technologies.
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Compostable practices in the international aviation industry
1.Plastic reduction step for American airlines cargo
American airlines cargo, in partnership with Bionnatur Plastics, offers compostable Plastics added to organic ingredients to replace the traditional films of pallet coatings and stretch packaging. In 2023, the initiative reduced plastic waste by more than 150,000 pounds, equivalent to 8.6 million bottles of water 1. This material degrades only in 8 to 12 years under landfill conditions, much faster than the 1000 years of ordinary plastic.
2.The standards of the China Airline Association drive industry transformation
China air transport association has issued specifications for the replacement of disposable, non-degradable plastic products for domestic passenger flights, stating that polylactic acid (PLA) and polycaprolactone (PCL) are degradable materials. ESUN esheng and other companies have developed paper cups, straws and nonwoven products that meet the requirements of aviation and are widely used in cabin service
3.The comprehensive plastic reduction initiative of Chinese airlines
Air China: knives, forks, cups, etc. for domestic flights have all been replaced with compostable materials and tests have been done with compostable plastic sheets.3
Easa: 28 supply items are made of 100% compostable materials, earphone covers and packaging bags are updated with 37 environmentally friendly materials.
Air south: stop for international flights from 2023 non-degradable plastic straw, mixing stick, and the research and development of eco-friendly PLA material paper cup, the annual production reaches 20 million 7.
A global breakthrough in innovative materials
Degradation technology throughout the natural field: the materials developed by national cohaina can be degraded in soil, fresh water and seawater, with a degradation rate of over 90% in 560 days in seawater, and are suitable for aeronautical packaging and the Marine scenario 8.
PLA and PCL composite application: esun PLA easy paper cup and PCL mixing film have both heat resistance and degradation to meet the needs of aeronautical food packaging 2.
Bio-based end products: henan longdu tianren bio-based prey bags and garbage bags entered the aviation field and completely decompose into carbon dioxide and water in 3-6 months.
Future trends and challenges
Although compostable plastics hold great promise for the aerospace industry, they face challenges such as cost, supply chain stability and harmonization of international standards. With the upgrading of the eu’s “plastic restriction” and advancing China’s “double carbon” target, the aviation industry or will achieve the full spread of compostable packaging over the next five years.
Conclusion conclusion
From North America to Asia, the aviation industry is using compostable plastics as a pivot to boost the future of green flying. This change is not only a sign of environmental responsibility, but also a necessity for the sustainable development of the sector. “White pollution” over the blue sky will definitely be a thing of the past, as technology and policies grow.
#SustainableAviation #CompostablePlastics #GreenFlight
Post time: Jun-30-2025
