Delta, Habitat for Humanity Build Homes Using Inflight Recycling Funds

"If you have any items you wish to discard, please do so now as flight attendants begin to make one last round around the cabin." That’s a familiar announcement travelers often hear as a plane begins to make its descent. Recyclable goods like empty soda cans and plastic bottles are gathered from tray tables, handed off to a flight attendant, and then, at Delta, they are likely transformed into a home.

Delta Air Lines employees are volunteering across the country this fall to build five homes. Proceeds from a recycling program helped fund two homes in Atlanta in September. Recently in Atlanta, Delta employees worked alongside two Atlanta families to put the finishing touches on the 10th and 11th Habitat for Humanity homes funded by the airline's Inflight Recycling Program.

The program has raised $1 million in proceeds for Habitat since 2007, when flight attendant Susan Powell first started the program. To reduce waste on Delta flights, paper, plastic and aluminum from food and beverage products are collected and transported to recycling centers in 36 cities worldwide. The program has recycled more than 230 tons of aluminum thus far, which is enough to make five A350 aircraft.

In a neighborhood miles from the Atlanta airport, two single mothers and their children stood misty-eyed on the porches of their new homes at the dedication. "My house leader knew exactly what I wanted; from the railing, up to my windows, everything was so me," said first-time Habitat homeowner Kedre Clark in a statement.

"My kids and I want to say thank you guys," added her now neighbor, Demetrius Harvey, with her 76-piece homeowner toolkit in hand. "I can only describe this as a blessing."

In 10 days, Delta employees volunteered 4,800 hours building alongside the future homeowners. Volunteers were led by Kim Mills-Smith and Scott Meader, build coordinators and husband and wife who met onsite at a Delta-Habitat build. And among the volunteers was a band of Delta employees who travel the world together building Habitat homes.

Families in need of decent, affordable housing can apply for homeownership with their local Habitat for Humanity. Local Habitat's family selection committees then select homeowners based on three criteria: the applicant's level of need, their willingness to partner with Habitat and their ability to repay an affordable mortgage. As part of their willingness to partner, Habitat's homeowners invest hundreds of hours of their own labor, called "sweat equity," working alongside volunteers and other Habitat homeowners.

"The proceeds from Delta's Inflight Recycling Program have helped empower so many families to build strength, stability and independence through shelter," said Julie Laird Davis, vice president of corporate and foundation relations for Habitat for Humanity International, in a statement. "We are thankful for the ongoing support and partnership with Delta, which allows us to continue to serve families in need of affordable housing and a decent place to call home."

The Inflight Recycling Program has helped make homeownership possible for families in five cities. Annually, Delta contributes 1 percent of its net profits to charitable organizations, a sum that totaled more than $45 million last year.