At Air Canada, we have devoted attention to the environmental footprint of both our airborne and ground operations, establishing environmental programs to minimize waste and conserve resources and energy. What's more, we're constantly looking for new ways to lower the impact of our operations on the environment, including the adoption of cutting edge technologies and the application of innovative solutions developed through research as well as customer feedback and employee initiative.

In the air

Onboard recycling program
Air Canada is always looking for ways to reduce and manage waste generated during flight. Meet the Air Canada employees behind our blue bag onboard recycling program.

Headsets
Recently, Air Canada has introduced compact headsets on all of our flights. If used just three times, our new headset generates less waste than our previous model, for though the older headsets were sterilized and reused about seven times, the refurbishing process generated volatile organic compound emissions from the cleaning solution, solid waste and emissions associated with the transportation of used headsets to and from refurbishment facilities.

The most significant environmental gain associated with the compact headsets is the reduction in aircraft fuel burn and associated CO2 emissions. Our compact headsets weigh less than the previous model, resulting in 218,000 litres less fuel burned and 556 fewer tonnes of CO2 emitted per year.

Learn how you can help us in our environment management efforts when you save your complimentary headset for use on another flight.

On the ground

Facilities Energy is required to provide heating, air conditioning and electricity for Air Canada’s broad network of support and operational facilities, which include hangars, support shops, offices, cargo warehouses, and ground support equipment workshops. We apply resource conservation practices at our many locations to reduce water consumption and the generation of waste paper, cardboard and other materials.

• Air Canada's annual Energy Awareness Campaign engages employees in finding the most effective ways to conserve energy in each of our facilities.
• All our major bases have various recycling programs in place. Materials such as paper, cardboard, pop cans, plastic bottles and scrap metal are routinely recycled to help reduce waste.

Ground support equipment
Just as we do for our operations in the air, Air Canada is continuously exploring and adopting alternative energy strategies for our operations on the ground.

Air Canada's ground handling services use nearly 10,000 units of ground support equipment, of which more than 3,300 are powered. Of the latter, 63% are currently fuelled by gasoline or diesel and 37% are powered by alternate means, such as electricity and propane.

Propane
Propane powered equipment produces less emissions than those powered by gasoline or diesel. Air Canada continuously evaluates technologies that allow for the efficient use of propane.

For example, at the Calgary airport, over 70 gasoline-powered ground vehicles were converted to liquid propane gas, notwithstanding harsh winter conditions. In its first year, the Calgary airport project established a 33% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

Hydrogen
In addition to exploring hydrogen for use as an alternative fuel for internal combustion engines, Air Canada has teamed up with the Vancouver International Airport Authority, General Hydrogen, and the Canadian Transportation Fuel Cell Alliance to conduct a six-month test of an electric baggage tractor powered by a hydrogen fuel cell (against one powered by a conventional battery) in a real operating environment.

The General Hydrogen Hydricity Pack™ used to power the tractor is a non-polluting fuel cell with a longer operating range and better performance than a battery. It has been designed and developed to replace the large industrial batteries used in electrically-powered equipment.

Hybrids
Air Canada is also exploring hybrid technology, which combines electric battery power with smaller and more fuel-efficient internal combustion engines and has been working with suppliers to develop diesel-electric or hybrid equipment with a potential for integration into our existing ground handling services fleet.

De-icing
In winter, antifreeze, which contains glycol, must be applied on aircraft to ensure planes are ice-free for take-off. Each year since 1993, the aviation industry has formulated improved plans for meeting the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) guidelines for glycol levels released to the environment. We work closely with airports and de-icing operators to ensure run-off glycol is collected and disposed of in the most environmentally friendly way possible.

Kevlar Light Weight Cargo Unitized Containers
Containers are used to facilitate the handling of air cargo and passenger baggage. Air Canada is one of the first airlines to have introduced light weight containers in its operations. Over the past year, Air Canada Cargo has purchased over 2,000 ultra lightweight Kevlar containers which are 20 to 23 kg lighter than conventional containers. As the amount of fuel used during aircraft operations is directly related to the total weight of the aircraft and its contents, the use of Kevlar containers has resulted in a significant reduction in aircraft fuel burn, which has in turn reduced CO2 emissions. We expect to reduce our fuel burn by 2.8 million kilos annually, reducing CO2 emissions by approximately 9,000 metric tonnes per year.

Taxi Without Turbines WheelTug
In 2005, Air Canada supported the WheelTug research and development program by lending a B767 aircraft to conduct test trials. WheelTug technology allows airplanes to taxi without using their main engines, saving jet fuel and consequent air emissions. The technology consists of special high-torque electric motors in the nosewheel hub that can drive the aircraft without the need for external tugs. Other benefits of the WheelTug system are reduced noise, shorter aircraft turnaround times between flights and a reduction in flight delays.