In case anyone missed this interesting story that was published last week, here it comes again: We can look at this as “strange news,” “funny stuff,” or as an example of how asking each person to do something small can actually add up to making a cumulative difference.
All Nippon Airways (ANA) asked all of their passengers to relieve themselves prior to boarding the plane. It seems that a number cruncher calculated that if half of the passengers flying on ANA would pee before boarding, the airline could reduce their carbon footprint by 4.2 tons a month.
When I heard this on the radio news last week, it was delivered as almost a joke. But after thinking about it a bit, I realized that it is a small effort that people can make that makes an environmental statement and perhaps saves them a trip to the loo while airborne.
One small stop prior to boarding; one larger step to reducing carbon emissions. The airline is also looking at other steps to reduce their carbon footprint, including using recycled paper and flying with plastic bottles rather than glass.
Lighter items for the service and if passengers comply with requests to use the bathroom prior to boarding, lighter passengers as well.
The month-long trial program, which began October 1, will be evaluated and may be extended if successful, Tezuka said.
In true Japanese fashion, the encouragement to eliminate is more suggested than explicit. This is what is announced before boarding the flights: “This flight is a so-called ‘eFlight.’ The idea behind the operation is to think about the Earth in the sky above. Fuel reduction by lightening the weight of the aircraft will lead to restrain the carbon dioxide emission, which is one of the causes of global warming. Thank you for your understanding.”
Perhaps there is a lesson here for everyone. Do yourself a favor and ave a trip to that cramped and smelly room tucked in the back of the airplane (or behind the cockpit for those in First) and do the environment a favor, pee before boarding.
Charlie Leocha is the President of Travelers United. He has been working in Washington, DC, for the past 14 years with Congress, the Department of Transportation, and industry stakeholders on travel issues. He was the first consumer representative to the Advisory Committee for Aviation Consumer Protections appointed by the Secretary of Transportation from 2012 through 2018.
