In the past year, the Australian airport has donated 14.5 tonnes of items to charities – the equivalent of 88 supermarket trolleys filled to the brim.
“Discarding these items into landfill, particularly during a cost-of-living crisis, makes no sense. Brisbane Airport goes to great lengths to ensure useful products are distributed to charities on the frontline helping Queenslanders in need,” said Peter Doherty, media and corporate affairs manager at Brisbane Airport.
“Many people are unaware that a jar or tube of Vegemite over 100g can’t be carried onto an international flight, and as a result, passengers are surrendering huge amounts of Australia’s favourite spread. So the advice is to pack these items in your checked-in baggage.”
Personal care items including shampoo, conditioner and toothpaste are donated to charity GIVIT, which distributes the items to more than 25 organisations across Brisbane. Unopened fresh food and drink are donated to Vinnies (the St Vincent de Paul Society) and to Hands & Feet, which delivers food to churches and charities for distribution.
In the past year, 323 bottles of wine and spirits have been surrendered at security screening points. The donation of these items to Kedron Wavell Services Club has resulted in $4,577 being given to Mates4Mates, which supports Australian Defence Force members, veterans and families experiencing physical injuries, mental health impacts and social disconnection.
“Take the time to understand what you can carry onto an international flight so you don’t have to hand over any items you’ve paid good money for, but please know, any unopened items which are surrendered are going to Queenslanders who need it.
“Every time our security team locates a prohibited item takes extra time at the screening point which slows everyone down, so getting it right will speed up everyone's journey,” said Doherty.
The reduction in waste is part of Brisbane Airport’s sustainability focus, which sees the airport now recycle 25.5% of its waste, with a target of zero waste to landfill by 2030.
