The Challenge

Heathrow is working hard to reduce the environmental impact associated with single use plastics at the ariport. LAG bags, as we commonly refer to them, are a specific and highly visible plastic item that we would like to tackle. Heathrow currently issues approximately 85,000,000 every year. The challenge is a difficult one because they also perform a necessary function, required by law – they must be secure and tamper-evident, and therefore are technically known as STEBS – Security Tamper-Evident Bags.

The Challenge: How can we disrupt the status quo in favour of a radically more sustainable approach?

a. Specific objectives

• Reduce the total number of STEBS in use, at Heathrow and other airports
• Support passengers to reduce their own environmental impact by making it easy for them take action to support this aim
• Maintain or enhance the underlying security requirements
• Minimise the environmental impact of LAG bags where they continue in use

b. Context

Manufacturers need to follow strict guidelines when producing STEBS. The rules which govern their use apply in the EU and a number of other nations, including the U.S. These can be viewed online here.

Although there are potential innovations in scanning technology that could ultimately remove the need for STEBS, most commentators believe a change in the system remains 5 to 10 years away, and in the meantime billions may be used.

Passengers and colleagues are increasingly concerned about the detrimental impacts of single use plastic. This underlines a responsibility for airports and others to identify potential solutions for those single use plastics commonly used at airports, such as STEBS.

At the end of its lifecycle, the ultimate destinations for the STEBS are potentially any environment, anywhere in the world. Therefore we can have no way of knowing how many are disposed of carefully, reused, recycled, or even composted, at the end of the product lifecycle.

TAKE PART HERE!

Download and read the legal basis (PDF 233 KB)