AFRA Launches New Best Management Practices (BMP) Guide for Recycling Aircraft Materials

17 April 2012, Las Vegas – The Aircraft Fleet Recycling Association (AFRA) is pleased to announce the publication of its new Best Management Practice (BMP) Guide for the recycling of aircraft materials today at the ISRI convention in Las Vegas. The Association also announces the first AFRA Accreditations under the new BMP of ELG Metals (Los Angeles) and Huron Valley Fritz West (Tucson).

The new guide provides practical solutions for all those working in the field of aircraft parts and materials recycling, and the accompanying AFRA audit and accreditation program assures that the facilities operate in a safe and environmentally responsible fashion, while allowing businesses to find sustainable solutions for themselves and their customers.

This new guide will help them capture maximum value from aircraft which have reached the end of revenue service, by increasing the amounts of materials that can be recycled and raising the overall residual value of the high-grade materials used in aircraft manufacturing.

AFRA’s Executive Director Martin Fraissignes welcomed the launch of the new BMP Guide: ‘We are extremely proud of our new guide. It is a perfect example of industry taking the initiative in addressing the important issues which face the aircraft end-of-life industry. AFRA believes the new Guide and its accompanying audit and accreditation program enables businesses to develop a more systematic and specialized approach to aircraft materials recycling.’

Scott Laughlin Vice-President Operations at Huron Valley Fritz West, one of the first companies to be accredited under AFRA’s new BMP Guide, stated: 'We believe AFRA Accredited companies will create improved value propositions and create increased business opportunities in a sector which increasingly appreciates a commitment to environmental best practice’.

Denis Oliver, Manager-Aerospace Business Development of ELG Metals, which has also received accreditation through the new AFRA BMP Guide, believes: ‘This new AFRA initiative undoubtedly promotes environmental and operational excellence in our sector. We are happy to be associated with the new guide and have utilized it to assess and where necessary improve our practices and procedures.’

Speaking at the launch of the new BMP in Las Vegas, AFRA Deputy Director Bill Carberry stated: ‘This new guide provides valuable solutions to aircraft materials recyclers who wish to be at the cutting edge of sustainable and environmental best practices in their industry.