In 2024, Southwest Airlines 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 | 9,533a | 8,914a | 7,259a | |
Total Waste Recovered | 2,281a | 2,104a | 1,524a | |
Total Hazardous Waste Generated | 45.9a | 34.9a | 19.6a | |
Non-Hazardous Waste Disposed | 7,245.5a | 6,792.6a | 5,732.5a |
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In 2024, Southwest Airlines generated a total of 9,533metric tonnes of waste.a
Of this amount, 23.93% of Southwest Airlines's total waste generated was recovered through methods such as recycling, reuse, or composting, while 76.07% was disposed of through landfilling, incineration, or combustion.a
In 2024, Southwest Airlines reported a total waste generation of 9,533 metric tonnes, of which 23.93% was recovered through recycling, reuse, or composting.This low recovery rate highlights limited waste diversion and suggests that Southwest Airlines may be relying more heavily on landfill or incineration, underscoring opportunities for stronger resource recovery initiatives.a
Since 2020, Southwest Airlines's total waste generation increased by 58.04%, including a 6.94%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, Southwest Airlines's waste recovery rate declined by 3.97%, yet improved by 1.37% in 2024, pointing to a recent rebound or renewed focus on better waste treatment outcomes.a
Overall, Southwest Airlines’s waste generation and recovery data show a mixed and inconsistent trend. A deeper analysis of the company's activities, industry benchmarks, and operational changes is needed to assess its sustainability performance more precisely.
In 2024, Southwest Airlines generated a total of 9,533 metric tonnes of waste.a
Of this amount, 0.48% of Southwest Airlines'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.99.52% was identified as non-hazardous waste, generally considered less harmful and subject to lighter regulatory controls.a
Since 2020, Southwest Airlines's total waste generation increased by 58.04%, including a 6.94% 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, the share of hazardous waste in Southwest Airlines's total output increased by 13.01%, including a further 22.98% rise in 2024, suggesting a troubling upward shift toward more environmentally harmful waste streams that could raise compliance costs and environmental risks.a
Overall, Southwest Airlines has seen a continuous rise in both total waste and hazardous waste over time, signaling a worsening environmental impact that may require urgent reassessment of material sourcing, production processes, or waste mitigation strategies.a
In 2024, Southwest Airlines reported that 46 metric tonnes of its total waste output were classified as hazardous. This represents 0.48% of its overall waste generation.a
The company treated this hazardous waste using a combination of methods.A majority (85.84%) was diverted from disposal through recovery-oriented treatments such as recycling or reuse. This suggests that Southwest Airlines has established processes to reduce the environmental burden of its most harmful waste streams.a