Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
Liquids Surrendered At Airport Security: Is There An Afterlife?
Ever looked at the mountain of liquids (or, in my case, that luscious, unopened jar of dulce de leche, and countless yogurts) accumulated at airport security and wondered where they end up? Yeah, me too. I've always hoped they go to charity and the water bottles recycled, because I have a bit of an idealist streak beneath my jaded exterior.Our friend Andy Bender over at Forbes helped get to the bottom of this tricky question, and the answers are somewhat surprising. Rather than being palmed by greasy-haired or hungry TSA agents (cause for immediate termination), large airports divvy up the booty by category and dispose of it accordingly, although smaller volume airports may just lump it as trash.
If you lie awake nights pondering the fate of your spendy conditioner or lotion, here's the breakdown:
- Liquids are sorted by type (sunscreen, shampoo, alcohol, contact lens solution, etc.) and emptied into hazmat barrels, which are then collected by waste management companies. They're disposed of according to environmental regulations (Forbes reports that "water-based solutions are sent to a waste water treatment facility or waste energy recovery facility aka trash-to-stream plant."
- Alcohol ends up being treated at fuel-blending facilities because it's flammable.
- Large quantities of bottles are "chipped" and recycled, but not smaller volumes, which go to the landfill.
For more information on current regulations taking liquids in carry-on, click here. And here's a tip: by carrying a refillable water bottle, you help reduce the 1.5 million barrels of oil required for U.S. plastic water bottle production each year.
Gallery: Strange items prohibited by the TSA
[Photo credit: Flickr user stevendepolo]
Filed under: Learning, Business, Food and Drink, North America, United States, Airlines, Airports, News, Consumer Activism
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 5)
Michael Gonzalez Jul 13th 2012 7:39AM
I work for tsa and no iam not a greasy haired or hungry TSA Officer. I have no hair so I cannot be greasy haired. I have been with tsa since the beginning. Yes there are people who do things they shouldnt. Just like any job you take the good with the bad. I dont appreciate the you assuming every person that works for tsa are a bunch of lowlifes. There are a lot of good people who do the best the job they can. Many of us arent thrilled with the procedures we have to follow. This is what we must do. We do it to the best of our abilities. Many people who fly give us compliments on the job we do. If for some reason it does go private. You will see the same screeners working at the airports. This is something that is not talked about by you in the media. You may get rid of TSA. You will not get rid of the people working there.
Robin Jul 12th 2012 8:13AM
The TSA agents in Newark/NJ confiscated the small jar of Skippy peanut butter and small jar of jelly that I had in my carry-on. They claimed it fell under the category of liquids and gels. I said that it should fall under the category of TSA stealing passengers food.
Randy Jul 12th 2012 11:55AM
I'm surprised that they did not arrest you, and detain you until your plane was gone, then 'apologize' for the delay. You can't tell THEM anything. You must submit, and be THANKFUL that your 'GOVERNMENT' is looking out FOR YOU! It gave us '9/11', didn't it?
Margaret Jul 12th 2012 8:20AM
Contact eye solution? Certainly you jest.
Cindy Halpern Jul 12th 2012 8:32AM
In Europe, I saw security eat my piece of cake after I passed through. This was in Vienna in 1975. I was 15 at the time.
Vicki Jul 12th 2012 8:36AM
You really missed my point. I was not criticizing TSA . The terrorists no longer have to actually plan and carry out their terror. They just need to hint at planning something and then sit back and watch the USA react and be disrupted, inconvenienced and spend lots of money
Jack Jul 12th 2012 9:31PM
The point? Do you watch the seven o'clock news? Terrorists make hits around the world every! We are very lucky that we don't see it more frequently here. We also need to thank law enforcement for the proactive job they do. Just remember a little ways back to the Mumbai attack. Wouldn't it have been just as easy for that to happen in the USA? Check out what the TSA found just this week in US airports on the TSA website
http://blog.tsa.gov/2012/06/tsa-week-in-review-bazooka-round.html
louise kalvin Jul 12th 2012 10:29PM
On a short trip leaving providence, I had everything in a carry-on. Deodorant, and new tube of toothpaste, which met the size requirement (all beand new and in original containers etc) were confiscated, OBVIOUSLY to be kept by the TSA worker. I objected and was given a very difficult time. The plane was to leave in 25 minutes or I would have filed a complaint with the airport [police and had this man arrested for stealing. When I did arrive on a return flight to Providence, I did speak to the Pllice who told me they needed the man's name and he was "probably only doing his job".
I have discussed this incident with other fellow travellers who also had or knoew of others who had similar experiences.
While travel needs to be safe and secure for all, TSA rules and regulations are not an open license to steal from passengers. One wonders why these items are permitted in checked luggage without visual examination, if they are suspect in carry-on bags.
Really, the best way is to check everything in luggage so the occasionally shady TSA worker cannot get his free toiletries!
TinaT Jul 12th 2012 9:10AM
If everyone would just abide by the rules, we wouldn't have to worry about the confiscated stuff! Take a refillable water bottle to fill after you get through security, take the trial size stuff that fits in the quart size bag or buy the stuff you need at your destination. This is not rocket science people. Don't blame the hassles of traveling on TSA - safety first!! You do have options: follow the rules or don't fly...pretty simple & NO, I don't work for TSA, but I do enjoy my freedom and am proud to be an American and will stand up for those who protect us!!
Lee Jul 12th 2012 2:35PM
Tina, first of all IF the TSA had stopped ANY credible threats they would have been lauded on TV and Internet to prove their worth.
Second of all so far the most credible way to stop terrorists was taken away back in 1973.
Back then all pilots were allowed to carry pistols, had numerous back ground checks and so were many of the stewardesses or flight attendants. Now any person can get those jobs it seems. Used to be before 1973 there were very few hijackings and if it did happen generally the airlines also had security on each flight, armed. But then in this day an age honor and honesty can be bought with few thousand dollars it seems. Also we need to go to the way Israel does it, you walk through with carry ons and if there is anything that can go boom, it does,, and you with it. Oh and they have one of most extensive terrorist identification systems around. Taking my shampoo , as i am from Indiana and American while flying to where ever, makes little sense or frisking a toddler or geriatric person when presented with credible proof of not being a risk. Right now you can get groped for free at airport boarding. Add disco ball and cheap watered down drinks and call it a disco!
Janice Jul 12th 2012 9:23AM
A friends brother works for TSA and he said they take what they want, not all goes where the should go. Said he knows because he has taken somethings.
Yaneo Jul 12th 2012 10:26AM
I am sure this does take place; expensive perfumes, etc........I think the idea to return them to the legal owners, but they pay postage to have them sent to them is a good one.
Padyn Jul 12th 2012 9:33AM
After ALL this time...why do people continue to bring items for TSA to take?....Really?...
jon parmer Jul 12th 2012 1:11PM
because the list that the airlines publish on their websites and the list that tsa publishes is totally different! most folks don't think to go to the tsa website. they relie on the airline to let them know what they can bring, if you do you will lose your stuff to the tsa thieves!
LARRY A. MOWLES Jul 12th 2012 9:36AM
I AGREE WITH INSPECTOR FENWICK..IF THESE THINGS ARE SO EXPLOSIVE THEN WHY DO THEY PUT THEM ALL TOGETHER IN A CONTAINER AND THEY SIT THERE ALL DAY..IF A TERRORIST WAS SMART HE WOULD WAIT FOR THE CONTAINER TO FILL UP AND THEN TOSS A DETINATOR IN IT AND RUN LIKE HELL!!!MAKES NO SENSE TO ME EITHER!!!
Nicole Jul 12th 2012 9:50AM
TSA @ Midway confiscated CANNED CHILI from my carryon (friend in California likes certain brand not avail there) with no explaination as to what rule it violated. The cynic in me suspects someone needed a quick dinner fix....
Fran Sinish Jul 13th 2012 8:35AM
My 28 year old son and I traveled from LGA to Minneapolis a couple of weeks ago. He uses a power wheelchair, wears a headcovering and has a beard. He is a Muslim. He is unable to stand. We were traeted with professionalism. The TSA officer explained everything as he checked the wheelchair and patted my son down. I had left my son's wheelchair battery charger in his backpack. When I remembered it, I was concerned that this would cause a problem. TheTSA officer said it was no problem, they know what it was.
We were treated with the same respect at the MSP airport.
Vicki Jul 12th 2012 9:53AM
Tim, once again, a reader has totally missed my point!!!
I am in no way criticizing the TSA nor the fact that the government has had to put in place all these security checks.
My only point is how easy it has become for terrorists to disrupt American life without barely having to lift a finger. The mere hint of terrorist activity forces us to respond.
Bill Jul 12th 2012 10:08AM
I agree with anyone that says the TSA is useless. I doubt all the confiscated stuff ends up back where they say it does. Probably goes to auction of some kind so the TSA can pad their wallets a little more. And if terrorists want to bomb something in the U.S. they only have to walk across the U.S./Mexico border, come in covertly from Canada or sneak in to one of the numerous ports around the periphery. Is the TSA doing any good? Ha ha, what do you think?
lpc Jul 12th 2012 10:33AM
I have not been on a plane sent 2003. The last time I was going home, because my mother was very sick. I am retired from the U S Navy, and I use a sea bag to travle with. I was inspeced five times. Each time I got to a new TSA person I had to take all out of the sea bag, and the TSA personal could see each other in the line, and I would ask why I had to remove all my things from my sea bag and they would just say just do it. When I got to the very last TSA person , again I ask whyand he asked if all the rest had me to remove my things and I said yes . The TSA person said that I didn't have to remove all my things. That was the last time that I went by air, and I will not fly any more.