Aviation finance and leasing specialist Avolon has teamed up with Soisa Aircraft Interiors to recycle old aircraft interiors into craft products. Unlike an aircraft’s mechanical parts, the cabin of an aircraft is largely unwanted on the used parts market so tonnes of plastic, leather and other materials end up in landfill.
The partnership between Avolon and Soisa will see the material donated to members of the Tarahumara tribe in Chihuahua, Mexico who will use it to make items such as wallets, bags, aprons, and tablecloths.
Enda Swan, Head of Technical, Avolon, said: “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, added: “Working closely with members of the Tarahumara tribe in Chihuahua, we have been honored 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.”
The project is supported by FODARCH (Fomento y Desarrollo Artesanal de Chihuahua), a government body that promotes indigenous cultural traditions. They have provided training and facilitate the sale of the finished products in a shop popular with visitors to Chihuahua, the largest state in Mexico.