American Airlines Cargo nearly doubles yearly long-term plastic waste reduction with ongoing BioNatur Plastics™ partnership
American Airlines Cargo has announced impressive results following continued partnership with BioNatur Plastics as its sustainable supplier of biodegradable plastic products for use in cargo operations. The partnership began in 2022, first enabling the carrier to reduce its yearly long-term traditional plastic waste by the equivalent of 6.4 million plastic water bottles. In 2024, American replaced more than 274,000 lbs. of traditional plastic used across its network with the BioNatur line, which resulted in a yearly reduction of long-term plastic waste by the equivalent of 12.6 million plastic water bottles – a nearly 100% increase compared to when the partnership began.
BioNatur Plastics aims to provide eco-conscious alternatives to traditional plastics without compromising on quality or performance. They supply biodegradable and 100% recyclable plastic products with all the functionality of traditional plastic, but BioNatur’s products do not break down into micro-plastics and instead biodegrade in a landfill environment within 8 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. Distributed by M&G Packaging, BioNatur plastic product uses include lower deck pallet covers, heavy duty poly sheeting, stretch wrap, bottom sheeting and plastic covers – all which are an important part of the building process for Unit Loading Devices, or ULDs, said a release.