A Japanaese Airline, ANA (All Nippon Airways), is carrying out a one month experiment into the benefits of asking passengers to empty their bladders before boarding.
The average human bladder has a capacity of 15 fluid ounces, which means that 150 passengers relieving themselves on board would apparently result in 67.2 kg of residual waters.
Empty bladders mean lighter passengers, a lighter aircraft, lower fuel use, reduced carbon footprint and, obviously and probably most importantly, reduced costs. The airline believes the trial will result in a five tonne reduction in carbon emissions during the 30 day test period.
If successful, both in terms of test results and passenger response, the idea could spread! No doubt Ryanair are monitoring the experiment closely. It may be dressed up as a ‘green’ item to reduce carbon emissions, but the reality must be that it is, as usual, a money-saving scheme.