In 2024, Korean Air Lines conducted an environmental assessment and disclosed corporate waste management data in accordance with recognized sustainability reporting standards.The company provided a breakdown of its waste by type (hazardous vs non-hazardous) and treatment method (recovery vs disposal), enabling greater transparency into its waste handling and environmental practices.
| Metric (tonnes) | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Total Waste Generated | 13,215a | 12,018a | 8,544a | |
Total Waste Recovered | 9,787a | 8,198a | 6,156a | |
Total Hazardous Waste Generated | 801a | 804a | 763a | |
Non-Hazardous Waste Disposed | 2,855.22a | 3,330.855a | 1,890.783a |
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In 2024, Korean Air Lines generated a total of 13,215metric tonnes of waste.a
Of this amount, 74.06% of Korean Air Lines's total waste generated was recovered through methods such as recycling, reuse, or composting, while 25.94% was disposed of through landfilling, incineration, or combustion.a
In 2024, Korean Air Lines reported a total waste generation of 13,215 metric tonnes, of which 74.06% was recovered through recycling, reuse, or composting.This moderate level of recovery indicates that Korean Air Lines is taking steps toward improving its waste diversion practices, though there is still room to enhance recycling and recovery efforts.a
Since 2022, Korean Air Lines's total waste generation increased by 54.67%, including a 9.96%increase in 2024, indicating a persistent upward trend that may reflect scaling operations, inefficiencies in resource use, or a lack of effective waste minimization practices.a
Over the same period, Korean Air Lines's waste recovery rate increased by 2.79%, including a 8.57% rise in 2024, indicating growing emphasis on circularity and improved operational practices for diverting waste from disposal.a
Overall, Korean Air Lines has seen a consistent rise in waste generation both over the long term and in the year 2024. However, the company has also steadily improved its waste recovery performance, suggesting that it is actively working to offset the environmental consequences of increased production through enhanced circularity efforts.
In 2024, Korean Air Lines generated a total of 13,215 metric tonnes of waste.a
Of this amount, 6.06% of Korean Air Lines's total waste generated of was classified as hazardous waste, characterized by properties such as toxicity, flammability, corrosiveness, or reactivity that may pose risks to human health, ecosystems, or the environment.93.94% was identified as non-hazardous waste, generally considered less harmful and subject to lighter regulatory controls.a
Since 2022, Korean Air Lines's total waste generation increased by 54.67%, including a 9.96% rise in 2024, reflecting a persistent upward trend that could be linked to operational growth, inefficient material use, or limited investment in waste prevention systems.a
Over the same period, Korean Air Lines reduced the hazardousness of its waste by 32.13%, with a further 9.4% decline in 2024, suggesting a sustained and meaningful shift toward safer waste profiles and lower environmental impact.a
Overall, Korean Air Lines is generating more waste but has significantly reduced the share of hazardous materials, suggesting a partial decoupling of volume and toxicity that could reflect more responsible inputs or enhanced treatment.a
In 2024, Korean Air Lines reported that 801 metric tonnes of its total waste output were classified as hazardous. This represents 6.06% of its overall waste generation.a
The company treated this hazardous waste using a combination of methods.Approximately 29% was managed through recovery methods, indicating a moderate integration of circular practices into its hazardous waste management. However, a significant share was still directed toward disposal, highlighting room for improvement in reducing the long-term impact of hazardous materials.a