Cathay Cargo Terminal's Waste Management System – How to Reduce the Use of Virgin Plastics in the Import and Export Goods Process

Since 2001, Cathay has been committed to reducing the use of single-use plastic products. In terms of plastic procurement, Cathay has been actively seeking to select more sustainable materials, recycled waste materials, and re-manufactured products in collaboration with suppliers to minimize environmental pollution[1]. 

Cathay Cargo Terminal's "4R"  – Targeting plastic cargo cover sheets for Import and Export Cargo

Reuse and Recycling of plastic cargo cover sheets

Cathay Cargo Terminal also follows the principles of the 4R in reducing plastic usage. Since 2017, Cathay Cargo Terminal has been reusing plastic cargo cover sheets and recycling all plastic cargo cover sheets used in imported goods, aiming to reuse and recycle whenever possible to minimize resource waste[2].

Using plastic cargo cover sheets containing 50 per cent recycled plastic for Export Goods

Cathay Cargo Terminal has not stopped at reusing and recycling packaging film used in all imported goods. In 2023, they collaborated with suppliers to actively research new eco-friendly packaging films. After repeated laboratory tests and rigorous practical trials with its customer, Cathay Cargo, the new material was officially introduced at Cathay Cargo Terminal. This new material contains 50 per cent recycled plastic, exceeding the current standard of at least 30 per cent[2]. The research begins with improved plastic components to reduce plastic usage from the source.

Manufacturing Process for the new plastic cargo cover sheets

Terminal staff at Cathay Cargo Terminal first remove the plastic cargo cover sheets used to wrap the goods. After sending them to a baler to be compressed into recycled plastic pellets, the suppliers mix these pellets with brand-new plastic to create the new 50 per cent recycled sheet[3].

Cathay Cargo Terminal is committed to reducing plastic usage from the source. With the successful launch of new plastic cargo cover sheets, in March 2024, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that Cathay Cargo Terminal has received the IEnvA certification. This certification is awarded after a comprehensive evaluation of the company’s environmental sustainability management systems and their plans for continual performance improvement[4], affirming the certified company’s efforts in sustainable development.

Reference:
[1] Cathay. Conscious use of resources. 
https://www.cathaypacific.com/cx/en_HK/about-us/sustainability/conscious-use-of-resources.html?cxsource=LANGUAGE_SELECTOR_QUICKLINK_ZH_HK 

[2] Cathay. (2024). Cathay Cargo Terminal adopts 50% recycled plastic cover sheets - February 2024.
https://news.cathaypacific.com/cathay-cargo-terminal-adopts-50-recycled-plastic-cover-sheets 

[3] Cathay Cargo. (2024). Cathay Cargo Terminal sets a new industry standard for plastic recycling - April 2024. 
https://www.cathaycargo.com/en-us/stories/our-business/cathay-cargo-terminal-sets-a-new-industry-standard-for-plastic-recycling.html 

[4] IATA. (2024). Hong Kong Cargo Handlers Achieve IEnvA Certification - March 2024.
https://www.iata.org/en/pressroom/2024-releases/2024-03-12-02/