Improving the Environment

Delta is committed to preventing pollution wherever possible. When prevention is not an option, Delta establishes mitigation programs to minimize its environmental impact. Delta continually evaluates emerging technology for new options to reduce its environmental footprint. This includes reducing and recycling operational waste, increasing aircraft fuel efficiency, evaluating alternative fuels, electrifying equipment and providing customers with opportunities for offsetting actions to counteract the effects of greenhouse gas emissions.

Launched in 2007, Delta's comprehensive in-flight recycling program collects and diverts aluminum cans, plastic beverage cups, plastic bottles, newspaper and magazines from landfills in 26 U.S. airports. Passengers, flight attendants, catering staff and cabin services successfully recycled approximately 1,108,000 pounds of material in 2010 and donated $35,797 through Delta's Force for Global Good to Habitat for Humanity.

Delta has had an on-site Employee Recycling Center at the World Headquarters offices in Atlanta since 2007. The center was created to provide recycling services to those living in communities with a limited ability to recycle materials generated at home.

In 2010, the Employee Recycling Center recycled approximately 1,198,000 pounds of material, including 9,320 pounds of aluminum cans, 23,200 pounds of plastics, 147,340 pounds of mixed paper, 617,000 pounds of cardboard, 85,520 pounds of office paper, 6,120 pounds of comingled material and 9,100 pounds of tin cans.

In 2007 Delta became the first airline to launch a carbon offset program—today, the airline partners with The Nature Conservancy to offer passengers the opportunity to voluntarily offset the carbon emissions they incur on their flight through an online calculator accessible when they purchase tickets. The Tensas River Basin Project in the Lower Mississippi River Valley, funded in part by a $1 million donation by Delta Air Lines, was the first project in the program and is part of the Conservancy's forest carbon initiative. The project has allowed the reforestation of 406.3 acres, which over time will sequester a net of 83,705 metric tons of carbon dioxide. Money raised through voluntary carbon offsets purchased by passengers (which will be retired by the Conservancy on their behalf), as well as matching funds by Delta Air Lines during Earth Month, was directed to the project, and through 2012 added almost $275,000 to this initiative.

Having achieved success at Tensas River, the project has been retired from the Voluntary Carbon Offset Program in order to provide donors an opportunity to support new carbon offset projects where financial support is currently more urgently needed. In 2012, Delta Air Lines renewed their commitment to provide passengers the opportunity to offset their flight emissions using a new Conservancy project to generate carbon offsets, the Rio Bravo Climate Action Project.

	The Nature Conservancy The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. The mission of The Nature Conservancy is to conserve the lands and waters on which all life depends. Donate by email or visit The Nature Conservancy.

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