LATAM Airlines Group has announced that it diverted 881 tonnes of waste from landfill during the first quarter of 2026, representing 44% of total waste managed under the group’s circular economy programme during the period.
The group says the result was achieved across its ground and onboard operations through a combination of reduction, reuse, recycling, and composting initiatives. Ground operations recorded a 63% diversion rate from 1,267 tonnes of waste generated, while onboard operations achieved an 8% rate, driven in part by the group’s ‘Recicla tu viaje’ (‘Recycle your trip’) recycling initiative, and efforts to reduce wastage of fresh food.
The diversion rate forms part of LATAM’s sustainability roadmap, which targets 75% waste diversion from landfill by 2027. The group has set out plans to expand waste management systems to 64 facilities during 2026, of which 10 were operational by the end of the first quarter this year. These systems enable waste to be separated, weighed, and tracked to improve measurement and operational decision-making.
The group states it has already eliminated 97% of single-use plastics across its operations, replacing them with alternatives including bamboo utensils and reusable materials.
“These results reflect the fact that circular economy is built through day-to-day operations, with teams constantly seeking new ways to recover value from waste,” said Johanna Cabrera, sustainability manager at LATAM Airlines Group. “Our focus is to keep expanding coverage and accelerate diversion, especially in processes with the greatest room for improvement, so we can continue making steady progress toward our 2027 target.”
In the cargo business, LATAM is continuing efforts to reduce plastic use and increase recycling, including a programme to recover and reuse nets from cargo operations rather than disposing of them as waste.
Composting and recycling initiatives have also been introduced in the group’s airport lounges during the quarter, with a focus on improving waste separation and material traceability.
