FAAN Launches Airport Waste Recycling Programme To Boost Sustainability
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has commenced a nationwide airport waste recycling programme as part of efforts to improve environmental sustainability, reduce carbon emissions, and promote efficient waste management across the country’s aviation sector.
The initiative was officially launched by FAAN’s Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Olubunmi Onabanjo-Kuku, with the unveiling of indoor colour-coded recycling bins at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos.
Speaking during the launch, Onabanjo-Kuku described the programme as the first phase of FAAN’s Circular Economy Programme, which aims to reduce waste, encourage recycling, lower operational costs, and pave the way for waste-to-power technology.
She noted that although waste generated at MMIA declined from about 1,446 tonnes in 2023 to approximately 1,383 tonnes in 2024, all the waste was still disposed of in landfills without being sorted or recycled.
According to her, the introduction of colour-coded recycling bins will enable passengers, airport workers, concessionaires, and other stakeholders to separate waste at the point of disposal, making them active participants in protecting the environment.
Onabanjo-Kuku explained that the indoor recycling bins represent only the first stage of the programme. The second phase will involve the installation of larger outdoor recycling bins across airport premises, while the third phase will see certified waste management firms collect and transport sorted materials—including plastics, glass, cans, and organic waste—to recycling facilities.
She said the initiative would not only improve environmental outcomes but also deliver economic benefits by reducing the authority’s dependence on new materials, lowering operational expenses, and cutting the volume of waste sent to landfills.
The FAAN boss further disclosed that the authority plans to implement a waste-to-power project that will convert airport waste into an alternative source of energy.
She added that the recycling programme forms part of FAAN’s Carbon Management Plan under the Airport Carbon Accreditation programme coordinated by Airports Council International, supporting global efforts toward achieving net-zero carbon emissions.
Onabanjo-Kuku reaffirmed FAAN’s commitment to integrating sustainability into its operations while balancing environmental responsibility with revenue generation. She announced that following the rollout at MMIA, similar recycling facilities will be deployed at other international airports across the country in the coming months.
She urged passengers, airlines, concessionaires, and airport staff to embrace the initiative by properly using the recycling bins and supporting efforts to build a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable aviation industry in Nigeria.
