Any plane that’s been out of the country must have all of its contents inspected every time it comes back to a US airport. That includes what’s in the trash bags. Half a dozen federal agencies publish reams of regulations dictating how you handle the snack wrappers abandoned in the seat-back elasticated pocket the gooey tissue crammed between cushions, and the bags of trash associated with regular in-flight human activities (bathroom garbage, food waste, etc.)

Welcome to the world of “regulated garbage”!

To protect local ecosystems from foreign microorganisms and invasive species (and the rest of us from the next new and exciting pathogen), all regulated garbage must be sterilized prior to disposal.  Approved garbage handlers have 120 hours to do so, and the clock starts ticking when the plane touches ground.

Large airports that have been hubs for years might not find this daunting. But regional airports with smaller footprints, fewer carriers, and skeleton crew personnel often find themselves burdened with the regulated garbage generated by an influx in private planes or small international carriers.

According to APHIS, any cabin trash that is “derived in whole or in part from fruits, vegetables, meats, or other plant or animal (including poultry) material, and other refuse of any character whatsoever that has been associated [or commingled] with any such material” must be sterilized prior to disposal. Big airports get the job done with big crews approved under compliance agreements with the USDA. Smaller, regional airports might just have “the guy.”

If you’re that guy, you might be wondering if there’s a better way than either:

1. burning garbage on airport premises (maintaining and insuring an incinerator while working in the poor air quality produced by incineration)
2. hiring out regulated garbage disposal to a nearby APHIS-certified hauling business.

Autoclave Food Waste and Other Regulated Garbage

Increasingly, regional airports are choosing to autoclave regulated garbage and food waste from international flights. For example, small and regional airports have begun purchasing non-jackaged lab-grade top loading, 150L Priorclave autoclaves with vacuum drying. 150L top-loaders are classic “waste processing” models, a good size and setup to autoclave food waste and other regulated garbage. They’re as easy to load as a garbage can: flip up the lid, drop in your bags, close the lid, and push the button. Some enterprising airlines and airports are even sorting their regulated garbage. This makes it possible to compost food waste, once sterilized, rather than sending it to the landfill.

Curious to see if there’s a better way to handle your regulated garbage while still hitting your budgetary and sustainability goals? Get in touch. We’ve helped regional airports find a better way to stay in compliance.