For example, “we worked with two business partners in May 2018 to conduct the world’s first dismantling of a composite fuselage airplane, an early production 787 Dreamliner.” The goal is to “help the industry develop techniques for composite airplane recycling,” for aircraft that will not begin to retire for at least another decade” she said.
SkyArt, based in Istanbul, has come up with a way to give some composite and mixed plastic elements a second life. “Cabin interiors used to go to landfills,” said Irmak Erol, SkyArt’s sales director. The company, which also makes aviation-themed furniture using retired aircraft parts, turns aircraft interiors into simulators used by cabin crew training institutions, event organizers, movie production companies and advertising agencies.
SkyArt’s clients include major airlines, corporations, aviation enthusiasts, architects, interior designers, children’s theme park developers, as well as Middle Eastern kings, heads of state and casinos in Macau. A current commission is from the United States State Department. “We are about to deliver a B-777 mock-up” to the United States Embassy in Kazakhstan, Mr. Erol said. “The device will be used for the training of Kazakh Border Guard Service personnel. It is a huge device with a cockpit.”
Southwest Airlines, which removed 87 planes from service in 2017 and recycled parts of 23, has additionally taken what it calls a holistic approach. In 2013 it created a “Repurpose with Purpose” program that has upcycled, downcycled and recycled nearly 900,000 pounds of discarded leather seat covers and other materials from planes into soccer balls, shoes, handicrafts and jewelry. Some products and materials are used or sold by its vendor partners to generate income; other materials are shredded to make padding for the furniture and automotive industries.
The airline has had partnerships with local nonprofit groups in the United States, Mexico and Kenya. Participants include veterans, people with disabilities, victims of trafficking and youth who obtain news skills and job training.
Todd Spinks, who oversees Southwest’s citizenship efforts, said the initiative not only extended the life of materials and reduced waste, it created social and economic opportunities that garnered interest from many nonprofit groups. It ignites “a spark, an innovative, entrepreneurial spirit,” he said. “This program is growing by leaps and bounds. It continues to have a positive impact on people’s lives.”
