FAAN Launches Airport Recycling Programme To Cut Waste, Emissions
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has launched a waste recycling programme at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, as part of efforts to reduce waste sent to landfills, lower carbon emissions and promote sustainable airport operations.
Speaking at the launch on Wednesday, FAAN Managing Director, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, said the airport generated about 1,446 tonnes of waste in 2023 and 1,383 tonnes in 2024, with virtually all of it ending up in landfills without being sorted or recycled.
She said the new initiative marks the beginning of a comprehensive Circular Economy Programme that will ensure waste generated at the airport is sorted, recycled and converted into valuable resources instead of being dumped.
According to Kuku, the programme will be implemented in three phases. The first phase introduces colour-coded indoor recycling bins across airport terminals to encourage waste separation at the point of generation.
The second phase will see the deployment of large outdoor colour-coded recycling bins to serve as central collection points for sorted waste, while the final phase will involve certified recycling firms collecting plastics, glass, cans and organic waste for processing at dedicated recycling facilities.
Kuku noted that the initiative aligns with FAAN’s airport carbon emission reduction goals and global best practices in waste management.
She added that beyond its environmental benefits, the programme would reduce operational costs by promoting the reuse of recycled materials, minimise the volume of waste sent to landfills and support the authority’s planned Waste-to-Power initiative aimed at converting waste into energy.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, described the programme as a significant step towards cleaner and greener airports, noting that sustainability has become a key priority for global aviation bodies, including the Airports Council International (ACI) and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
He commended FAAN for embracing environmentally friendly practices, adding that several airports around the world have already adopted zero-emission strategies.
Chairman of the FAAN Board, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, also pledged the board’s support to ensure the successful implementation and long-term sustainability of the recycling programme.
