Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air have announced progress with their sustainability and recycling efforts, which have saved 230 tons of aluminum in 2011, enough to build three new (presumably large) airplanes, parent company Alaska Air Group Inc. says.

The Puget Sound Business Journal reports that the airline's 2012 Corporate Sustainability Report details the progress of the company's economic, community, social, environmental and sustainability efforts. This year marks Alaska Air Group's first sustainability report.

Other highlights of the report: the installation of an airport wind turbine-solar panel at the Nome, Alaska airport, a 30-percent reduction in carbon footprint intensity at Alaska Airlines since 2004, and 90 percent of Horizon Air in-flight recyclables collected.

Alaska Air Group didn't reach all its goals, however, citing a need for increased employee engagement, increasing diversity of its leadership, and addressing vehicle fleet emissions, among other factors needing improvement.

Alaska Airlines was given props for high customer service ratings in June, but that included a caveat that they could still improve on costs and fees, in-flight services and "aircraft."