Could you imagine living in an old airplane in the middle of the forest? It's actually hard to imagine—and yet there's one man doing just that. Learn Bruce Campbell's incredible story here.
If we truly want to tackle the climate crisis and create new paths for more sustainable living, we must challenge conventional thinking—in all areas of life. That's what Bruce Campbell has done. By converting a decommissioned airplane into his home in Oregon, USA, Bruce has shown us a whole new perspective on recycling.
Have you ever thought about what happens to old aircraft that are no longer in service? While they are largely made of recyclable materials, many are not fully or properly recycled and ultimately end up in landfills. With a little imagination and willpower, the potential for recycling and reusing aircraft could be an amazing opportunity.
Some notable statistics about old aircraft:
- The average lifespan of an aircraft is approximately 25-30 years
- On average, 3 aircraft are taken out of service every day
- Airlines often offer recyclable parts for sale
- Storing a decommissioned aircraft costs about $60,000 per month
- There are several scrap yards in the USA where old aircraft parts are recycled
- It is estimated that around 12,000 aircraft will be decommissioned over the next 20 years
- Between 80-95% of an aircraft can be recycled
- Plastic panels and luggage racks inside aircraft are the most difficult to recycle
- About 500 aircraft are dismantled each year, and by 2030 the number is expected to rise to around 2,000 per year
- Recycling decommissioned aircraft costs about $80 million per year
- The Aircraft Fleet Recycling Association produces around 30,000 tons of aluminum, 1,800 tons of special alloys and 600 tons of other parts each year
- The new challenge: Modern aircraft made of carbon fiber have better fuel efficiency, but there is currently no safe way to recycle aircraft made of this material
- Because the cost of recycling aircraft is so high, some are simply left to rust and die without being recycled
How does the recycling process work?
The recycling process takes place at a dedicated scrap yard, where, in a first step, all valuable components and hazardous materials are carefully removed, followed by an assessment of which parts can be resold. The aircraft is then disassembled into its individual components, with the non-recyclable parts being compressed and placed in an aircraft graveyard.
What is the potential of recycled aircraft?
Bruce not only planted many trees around the property, but also found a way to build an airplane into his house. And while that might not be a practical choice for everyone, it begs the question: why can't we transform airplanes into all sorts of things? Restaurants, AirBnBs, children's playhouses, shops... why not? All it takes is creative thinking and commitment. Greater sustainability is possible if we dare to try.
© This blog was researched, written, and published by our partner organization OneTreePlanted . The content was adapted and translated by NIKIN. This blog may contain some deviations from the original. You can find the original blog and further information at www.onetreeplanted.org . We have been working with this renowned non-profit organization since 2016 – to date, we have planted over 300,000 trees in various locations around the world.
