Skip to main content

Southwest Airlines Community

Going Green: Thank You For Helping Southwest Airlines Be Green

lmoffat
Adventurer A

DING!  The fasten seatbelt sign just came on and you are starting to see something more than an endless field of clouds.  It’s time for the Flight Attendants to come through the cabin one last time to pick up any remaining items. 

If you’re like me and Green is on your mind, why are the Flight Attendants accepting newspapers and drink cans in a black trash bag??  Well, never fear, because our co-mingled recycling allows all recyclables to be disposed together.  While sorting isn’t required, Flight Attendants take the time to empty any liquids from the cans so it’s ready for the next step in the process.  Our mighty Provisioning Agents pick up these black trash bags full of wonderful things to recycle to containers located on the airport properties, which diverts this waste from our landfills.

The next time you are flying Southwest and you hear, “Ladies and Gentleman, in a few moments we will come by to collect any items you would like to throw away,” don’t fret!  Wait for it…”Southwest recycles, so if you have any newspapers, plastic bottles, or magazines, please keep those separate, and we’ll be happy to recycle them for you.  Thank you for helping Southwest be Green.” 

And, if you’ve ever wondered about some of the things you hear about recycling, here are some myths that we’re happy to bust for you.

Myth:  If I see the triangular recycling symbol on a can, container, etc., I can recycle it.
Busted:  Don’t be fooled by any old triangular symbol since plastic bottles and containers are usually stamped with a Plastic Identification Code, which is a triangle with a number in the middle.  Although manufacturers use this symbol to identify the type of plastic, don’t go tossing it in any recycling container.  

Myth:  It’s difficult and inconvenient to recycle.
Busted:  If you think you don’t have the time or space to recycle, it really doesn’t take a lot of either, and most likely your city has made it even easier with a city-wide recycling program.  More and more cities offer curbside pickup for residents, so check out your city web site to see what services they offer if you aren’t already taking advantage of this service.  If your city doesn’t offer recycling to you and your neighbors, maybe it’s time for you to join the city council and let your voice be heard!

Myth:  Most of the plastic I put in my recycling bin ends up in a landfill.
Half-Busted:  Although this is true in some cases, this problem is in the process of being solved.  The truth is that some recycling programs don’t accept certain types of plastics.  However, many cities are hopping on the bandwagon to expand the range of plastics they accept to include rigid plastics like toys and clamshell packages.  Some of these plastics are even being recycled into things like artificial lumber for landscaping.

Myth:  If I don’t recycle, it’s not a big deal.  One person doesn’t really make a difference.
Busted:  This is astonishing— according to the Environmental Protection Agency, more than 60 percent of what goes into landfills is paper, plastic, metal, and glass.  Yikes!  Don’t contribute to this—it is more important than ever to recycle and divert waste from our landfills.  Every piece of paper, plastic, metal, and glass counts!

Let us know how you live and work Green by posting your comments below.  DING!  You are now free to be Green.


 

10 Comments
rnathen
Explorer C
Southwest is spending Millions and Millions of dollars on advertising low fares and no baggage fees, money that could be spent on improving aircraft and REALLY giving lower fees. I compared American Airlines prices with Southwest within Southwest's latest Television Ads for low fees to Florida with 14 day advance purchase starting Sept. 1, 2010 and using these restrictions found that American Airlines was not only cheaper, but that I could upgrade and fly to Ft. Lauderdale in first class for $149.00. Coach was 89.00 compared to Southwest's 99.00 and no bagage fees on AA either. The same fares applied on a round trip ticket. So? Where are the low fares Southwest, or is it all BS? I found simular lower fares on other routes also.
rnathen
Explorer C
As to going green, Southwest is definately doing that by takeing more green from it's customers while pretending to be a lowfare aitline, not nice Southwest.
mary_sue
Explorer C
re: recycling...good for Southwest! i wouldn't expect any less from my favorite airline, bar none!
Saren
Explorer C
Thanks for this information! I had been holding on to my beverage cups and recycling them when I got home. Good to know Southwest is thinking about this issue. One more reason to love SWA!
Anonymous4567
Explorer C
We use refillable bottles for water when traveling. You can take an empty bottle through security and then fill it at a drinking fountain to use while waiting or on the plane. At home we use glasses with our filtered water instead of bottled water, saving on plastic bottles. Boiling water for pasta or corn on the cob? When finished, put the lid on the pot until the water is cool. Then use to water plants instead of pouring down the drain.
rich_kiser
Explorer C
if you are serious about going green, i have a solution for your maintenance department. have them email me.
Margaret11
Explorer C
I AM TRYING TO KEEP A POSITIVE ATTITUDE ABOUT YOUR AIRLINES BUT ITS NOT EASY. PLEASE TELL ME THAT SOMEDAY WE CAN GET ASSIGNED SEATS . I AM TIRED OF PLAYING MUSICAL CHAIRS. AND WHAT ABOUT FAMILIES WITH YOUNG KIDS I FEEL SORRY FOR THEM WHY CA'N'T THEY GET ON THE PLANE FIRST. FAMILIES ARE A FORGOTTEN VALUE? OH AND THOSE PEANUTS ARE WE MONKEYS????? I FLY YOUR AIRLINE BECAUSE OF PRICING BUT CAN WE HAVE JUST A LITTLE DIGNITY?????
Bob_Pitt
Explorer C
Our kids live in Phoenix and we live in Iowa, we fly out of Omaha many times a year and were true fans of SWA but I started comparing their fares to US Air and found out we were getting screwed by SWA about a hundred bucks each way. Plus US air has a better schedule, sorry SWA but unless things change I doubt we come back. I used to get pissed when Leno made fun of you guys but I guess I am going to have to agree with him!!
blusk
Aviator C
Margaret, thanks for sharing your comments, and I am sorry to have disappointed you. Keep in mind, that unlike some airlines, our soft drinks, snacks, and peanuts are free. As to assigned seating, you probably won't see it, at least under our current route system. We did test it four years ago and an overwhelming amount of Customers contacted us to plead that we keep open seating, saying that's one of the main reasons they fly Southwest because they can choose where the sit and with whom they sit. They did ask us to change the way we board our flight, and that is what led to our current boarding process. All of this was a big topic here on the blog, and if you want to read the post and the 651 comments, this is the link: http://www.blogsouthwest.com/blog/a-message-from-our-ceo-open-season-on-assigned-seating
Jackie_Rose
Explorer C
What happens with cell phones and the like that are left on the plane and then unclaimed? Or items used at the ticket counters, offices, etc or by staff? Maybe check into a fundraising by recycling program and have those used, unclaimed items make some funds that can be donated to a non profit that Southwest Airline supports? Just a thought....my kids school recycles and raises funds using Cartridges for Kids. Jackie www.cartridgesforkids.com is their address