FFG’s Olivia Stoll to represent caterer perspective at IFSA Innovation Pavilion Session
This is a special feature from PAX International's October 2024 IFSA Global EXPO issue.
Olivia Stoll, Sustainability Manager, Flying Food Group
Flying Food Group’s (FFG) Olivia Stoll, Sustainability Manager, will present the caterer’s latest research on waste management during the “Championing Sustainable Practices: How Caterers and Suppliers Make an Impact” panel at IFSA Global EXPO.
During an interview at FFG’s headquarters in Chicago, USA, last month, Stoll told PAX International she has been heading up the company’s recycling trials for the last several months, which aims for caterers to be able to recycle at least some international waste. As of now, federal guidelines from both the USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) and APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) require the waste to be incinerated and then sent to landfill. The project is spearheaded by CBP (U.S. Customs and Border Protection), USDA and IATA (International Air Transport Association).
FFG’s airline customer location managers who agreed to trial the project on certain routes have been responsible for sorting, photographing and weighing waste. Stoll identifies two main challenges appearing from the trials thus far: inflight crew sorting the waste correctly and the logistics for catering facilities to organize third-party recycling pick up and handling. But, she adds, airlines stand to gain great economic benefits by being able to recycle international waste.
Representing the caterer’s perspective, Stoll says she hopes the IFSA panel discussion will spark conversation with other caterers and waste management companies. Gregoire James, Commercial Director at the IAWMA (International Aviation Waste Management Association) will also be present on the panel.
