Aviation finance company Avolon has partnered with Soisa Aircraft Interiors to turn scrap materials from old aircraft into craft products.
According to Soisa Aircraft Interiors, waste materials that include more than 800 kg of leather, are donated to members of the Tarahumara tribe in Chihuahua, Mexico who will be repurposing them into traditional artisan products such as wallets, bags, aprons and tablecloths. A video of the project can be viewed here.
Contributing to sustainability
Interior furnishings from aircraft that are being decommissioned or refitted often end up in a landfill. Through the ‘Waste to Wonder’ project, the materials such as seat covers and curtains help provide an income stream for the families of 55 Tarahumara tribe members taking part in the project.
Avolon, which recently joined a coalition of partners in a pledge to use only tear down facilities accredited by the Aircraft Fleet Recycling Association (AFRA), has a sustainability strategy that includes a commitment to support the circular economy by increasing the reuse and recycling of materials from old aircraft in a sustainable manner.
Enda Swan, Head of Technical, Avolon, commented: “The Waste to Wonder project provides an excellent example of how, through creativity and collaboration, better use can be made of materials in the aviation supply chain that were previously regarded as scrap. The ability of the Tarahumara tribe members in Chihuahua to produce beautiful artisan products out of old leather from seat covers has been inspiring to see. Avolon is committed to finding more opportunities to decommission end-of-life aviation materials in a sustainable manner.”
Jacobo Mesta, Chief Executive, Soisa Aircraft Interiors, commented: “Working closely with members of the Tarahumara tribe in Chihuahua, we have been honoured to establish this project with the support of Avolon and FODARCH. Working more sustainably is a key objective at Soisa and this project has provided a perfect opportunity to convert something previously regarded as waste into a craft product that can be sold to improve the livelihoods of local communities.”
