For an airline with such an iconic reputation around the world, Virgin Australia falls short when it comes to reuse and recycling. Virgin services over 168,000 domestic flights per year, using an estimated 84 million beverage containers, including other food packaging waste - much of which is not recycled. Non-recycled waste becomes permanent pollution on our planet, contributing to plastic pollution in our oceans and decimating marine life.

Without utilising reusable materials for food and beverage services or adopting an explicit recycling policy applicable to all flights - for bottles, cans, cups, trays, cutlery and other packaging - pilots and cabin crew resort to sorting out and carrying recyclables off the plane themselves. In an era of growing awareness of waste pollution and lost resources, this is simply unacceptable.

As an industry leader, Virgin Australia can pioneer a new era of responsible airline waste practises. We call on you to adopt a top-down policy to ensure at a minimum that food- and beverage-related materials are served in reusable materials and that other single-use materials are recycled. Mr Branson, be the leader and outspoken advocate for social and environment change the world knows you as. Adopt a strict reuse and recycle policy for ALL flights.​