WASTE MANAGEMENT IN BRITISH AIRPORTS

By Albin Pinard

CONTENT1.What is Waste Management ?2.Issues and objectives3.Sources of Waste4.Solutions Implemented5.Benefits of a Good Waste Management

WASTE MANAGEMENT IN THE AIRPORT INDUSTRYWHAT IS WASTE MANAGEMENT ? “Waste management may be considered as the management of natural resources so that present and future beneficial uses are not impaired.” (England et al,2006)“Everything your business makes, which is not bought by your customers” (Jones,1996)“Any substance which constitutes a scrap

material or an effluent or other surplus substances arising from the application of any process; andany substance or article which requires to be disposed of as being broken, worn out, contaminated or otherwise spoiled, but does not include a substance which is explosive” (Environment Protection Act, 1990).

WASTE MANAGEMENT IN THE AIRPORT INDUSTRYIssues and objectivesMain issues:

Significant growth in waste (over 6OOO tonnes of waste in 2007) Significant growth of waste landfilled (4686 tonnes in 2007)

Objectives:

Improve the effectiveness of waste management activities Recycle 40% of waste by 2010 (current rate 2007: 25%)

WASTE MANAGEMENT IN THE AIRPORT INDUSTRY Solid Waste- Office waste- Tenant concessionnaires waste- Aircraft Waste- Passenger waste- Commercial activities Water Waste- Domestic sewages ( personnel, restaurants, terminal)- Rainwater (roads, parking areas) - Water containing de-icing fluid (paved areas, aircrafts)

Sources of waste:

WASTE MANAGEMENT IN THE AIRPORT INDUSTRYThe situation of the U.K

"The strongest proof that environmental protection does not hamper competitiveness is the economic performance of nations with the strictest laws » (Porter,1991)

WASTE MANAGEMENT IN THE AIRPORT INDUSTRYSolutions implemented Establishment of a landfill tax (lower than other countries)

Creation of the AOA ( Airports Operators Association) that allows airports to share information relating to waste management

Implementation of charges based on amount of waste produced by each area of the airport.

Separate wasted products on board during flights makes the recycling process easier

WASTE MANAGEMENT IN THE AIRPORT INDUSTRYBenefits of a good waste management Reusing and recycling materials is financially more interesting than removing waste thanks to a storage facility located near the airport.

Reduction in the short term of the environmental costs with better process control.

Saving in disposal costs

Reassement on processes which makes them more efficient

Reduction in potentially large liabilities in the long run

WASTE MANAGEMENT IN THE AIRPORT INDUSTRYConclusion

“The present limit to growth are not so much those imposed by

resources, such as oil and other minerals…In many cases they arise

more from a scarcity of “sinks” or systems that can safely absorb wastes.”

(Schmidheiny,1992)

Waste management practices in British airports remain insufficient compared to other countries in Europe but managers realise the importance of managing wastes in order to gain a competitive advantage.

WASTE MANAGEMENT IN THE AIRPORT INDUSTRYReferences

BAA Stansted Official Airport Website (2007),[online] Available at: http://www.stanstedairport.com/[Accessed 20th November 2007]

England,A.J and Guang,J. (2006) “Application of Biotechnology in Waste Management for Sustainable Development An Overview” Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, Vol.17,Issue: 4.

Graham,A. (2005) “Airport Benchmarking: A Review of The Current Situation”,Benchmarking International Journal,Vol.12,No.2,pp.99-111 online]. Available from: Emerald <http://www.emeraldinsight.com> [Accessed 9th December 2007]

Jones, P. (1996), "Waste management and airports", in Pedoe, N., Raper, D., Holden, J. (Eds),Environmental Management at Airports – Liabilities and Social Responsibilities Conference, Manchester Airport, 1995, Thomas Telford, London, pp.170-90.

Pitt,M.,et al. (2002) “Waste Management at Airports »,facilities, Vol.20,Issue :5/6.pp.198-207 [online]. Available from: Emerald <http://www.emeraldinsight.com> [Accessed November 12th 2007]The chartered Institution of Wastes Management (1990), “Environmental Protection Act 1990” [online] Available at : <http://www.ciwm.co.uk/pm/105> [ Accessed 20th November 2007]

Schmidheiny,S.(1992), “Changing Course: A Global Business Perspective on Development and the Environment”, MIT Press,Cambridge,pp.1-13, cited in Nelissen, et al.(Eds.) (1997),Classics in Environmental Studies: An Overview of Classic Texts in Environmental Studies, International Books.

Whittingham, J. and Jones,S (2007), “Insider Guide: Recycling Cans On-Board: A Guide for Airlines” [online] Available at: http://www.thetravelfoundation.org.uk/assets/leaflets/insider%20guide%20-%20can%20recycling.pdf [Accessed 10th December 2007]

Porter, M.E., (1991), “Green Competitiveness”, New York Times excerpt from April 1991 Scientific American.

The chartered Institution of Wastes Management (1990), Environmental Protection Act 1990 [online] Available at: <http://www.ciwm.co.uk/pm/105> [Accessed 20th November 2007]