AUSTRALIA. Brisbane Airport has donated 14.5 tonnes of surrendered items to local communities in need in 2023.
The beneficiaries were people in Queensland suffering from the rising cost of living and victims of domestic violence.
The discarded items were from passengers who may have been unaware of international flight carry-on regulations. The Department of Home Affairs safety regulations require outbound travellers to limit the quantities of powders, liquids, aerosols and gels that can be taken in carry-on baggage.
As a result, thousands of items are handed over at airport security, including Vegemite, peanut butter, Nutella, honey, manuka honey, soy sauce, shampoo, beauty products, sunscreen, perfumes, deodorant and toothpaste.
Brisbane Airport Media & Corporate Affairs Manager Peter Doherty said: “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.
“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.”
Local non-profit group GIVIT distributes the surrendered items to more than 25 organisations across Brisbane.
GIVIT Queensland Manager Christina Spehr added: “Through our partnership with Brisbane Airport, GIVIT was able to divert over 10,000 usable toiletries from landfill last year and distribute them to people experiencing hardship across the Brisbane region.
“This included domestic and family violence services, people experiencing homelessness as well as families struggling with the rising cost of living. These small donations, many of which we all take for granted in our daily lives, have a big impact on people finding it tough, with the added benefit of keeping items out of the waste stream.”
Other community groups helping Brisbane Airport with the distribution are Vinnies and Hands & Feet, which deliver unopened fresh food and drink to churches and charities.
Hands & Feet Manager David Graham said: “Demand is quite high. We are most definitely grateful because we don’t normally get these types of products donated to us so it’s a real bonus for those in need.”
More surrendered items also come from travellers who fail with their attempt to sneak over 100ml of alcohol in their carry-on luggage through the airport security check. Last year, 323 bottles of wine and spirits were discarded at security screening points.
Through the help of Kedron Wavell Services Club, these items were transformed into a cash donation of A$4,577. The money is given to Mates4Mates to help current and ex-serving Defence Force members and their families experiencing physical injuries, mental health impacts and social disconnection.
Brisbane Airport is reminding passengers to learn more about the carry-on luggage restrictions to avoid having to surrender any valuable items and experiencing travel inconvenience.
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.
To learn more about security regulations, travellers can visit the Department of Home Affairs website.
The same restrictions now apply to domestic flights from the Domestic Terminal.
Brisbane Airport served 21.5 million passengers in 2023, with 16.6 million flying through the Domestic Terminal and 4.8 million via the International Terminal. ✈
