IATA has published preliminary results of cabin waste audit trials, indicating untouched meals comprise 18pc of all waste.
It says the aviation sector produces over 3.6 million tonnes of cabin and catering waste annually. Food and beverage waste makes up 65pc of cabin and catering waste.
Airlines are focusing on reducing food waste inflight, with some implementing strategies such as selling fresh food items at a discount on the last flights of the day.
IATA is collaborating with ASF to launch a standardised Cabin Waste Composition Auditing Platform to help reduce waste and improve circularity in the industry.
