FRANKFURT/DOHA: In a further environmental bid to eliminate paper, Lufthansa Cargo has announced it will now only accept digital airwaybills (eAWB) from shippers or forwarders on all routes “where feasible” beginning March 27, 2022.

The company says if local country regulations require the presentation of a paper AWB, it will print out the electronic submission to accompany the shipment.

Lufthansa is also introducing a ‘paper-to-eAWB’ service to digitize any remaining paper-based AWBs at shipment acceptance.

“With the new service, we can now easily take all customers with us on our digitization journey and enable them to take the step towards paperless transports as well," noted CCO Ashwin Bhat.

Meanwhile Qatar Aircraft Catering Company (QACC), a subsidiary of the Qatar Airways Group, has reached its own one-year sustainability target by recycling 1,000 tonnes of plastic waste and donating goods and surplus food to people in need.

During the past 12 months the company has partnered with non-profits Qatar Charity and Hifz Al Naema to distribute more than three tonnes of donated goods, including 40,000 cotton blankets, mattresses and feather duvets. It has also reduced annual waste volume by nearly 1,700 tonnes by recycling cardboard, chemical drums, plastic water bottles and wastepaper which is then remade into products sold locally or exported.

QACC says it has reduced the airline’s overall equipment and linen loading weight by nearly 257 tonnes – thereby reducing aircraft fuel consumption and subsequent CO2 emissions. The catering company is also planning a greenhouse-based farm project to achieve self-sufficiency in micro-herbs and green vegetation in Qatar.