Strengthening Inflight Waste Management in Mumbai

WasteAid, in collaboration with Lufthansa, is continuing its work to improve the efficiency and traceability of inflight waste management systems in Mumbai. Following the successful completion of the baseline assessment, the project has now moved into its next phase — focused on strengthening waste segregation and handling processes along the inflight waste value chain.

To support this important work, Can Communicate, WasteAid’s filmmaking partner, has been commissioned to develop an animated training film aimed at motivating Lufthansa’s cabin crew to segregate waste effectively at source during flights. The animation will help bring to life the journey of inflight waste and the crucial role cabin crew play in improving recycling outcomes.

In preparation for this, the Can Communicate team joined WasteAid on a series of site visits to observe waste operations first-hand and gather insights for the film. This included a visit to the ComePost facility in Ulwe, where the team witnessed waste sorting and processing activities and gained a deeper understanding of current waste management practices.

During the visits, the WasteAid team met with the ComePost staff to discuss day-to-day challenges, operational constraints, and practical opportunities to enhance efficiency and sustainability within the existing system. These discussions are providing valuable input into the design of improved waste handling processes and communication tools for Lufthansa’s operations in India.

This next phase marks an exciting step in WasteAid and Lufthansa’s shared mission to build a more circular inflight waste management model, combining on-the-ground improvements with engaging awareness and training materials. Together, the partnership is helping drive measurable change toward a more sustainable aviation sector.

About the WasteAid–Lufthansa Partnership

In 2024, WasteAid and the Lufthansa Group launched a pioneering partnership to explore innovative ways of tackling inflight waste and improving resource recovery in the aviation industry. The collaboration aims to identify scalable models for effective waste segregation, recycling, and circularity within airline operations.

By combining Lufthansa’s global expertise in sustainable aviation with WasteAid’s experience in circular economy solutions, the initiative is setting new benchmarks for reducing waste and promoting responsible resource management across the airline sector.