BIAL becomes Asia’s first airport to initiate in-house solid waste management facility

January 19, 2018: An airport ecosystem generates a large amount of solid waste both organic and inorganic due to thousands of people, including passengers, concessionaires, cargo handlers, etc. who operate in this space. If not dealt with adequately, this waste could pose a serious impediment to achieving sustainability milestones, while also impacting the airport operations.

The Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru, which generates over 20 tonnes of waste each day, has initiated the process of setting up a state-of-the-art solid waste management facility on its premises to achieve its sustainability goals. Ekolog- a Polish company with over 30 years of experience in the environmental technologies sector has been selected as the implementation partner on this Design-Build-Own-Operate (DBOO) project. Phase 1 of the facility will have the capability to process 20 TPD (tonnes/day) and will be scalable to 60 TPD.

This facility is scheduled to become operational from January 2019. Once commissioned, at 25 TPD, organic waste will be converted into sustainable bio-energy, through a process of biomethanation, generating enough electricity to power about 5,000 households each year. In addition, the facility will generate about 1.5 million kilograms of Class A organic compost per year. Recyclable waste will be segregated and sent to recyclers for useable product conversion.

Speaking on the occasion, Ratna Prabha, IAS, Chief Secretary, GoK & Chairperson, BIAL, said, “This is a big leap towards sustainability, leading to scientific and systematic waste management, including reduced landfill and increased resource recovery. BIAL’s focus is to turn all the waste generated by KIAB community into useable resources, thus ensuring that we minimise our carbon footprint. The project is in line with the various environment-friendly programmes initiated by the Government of Karnataka.”

Hari Marar, managing director and CEO, BIAL, said, “At BIAL, we take our role as a leader in sustainable development very seriously. Solid waste management is just one of our initiatives in this area. The Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru will be the first in Asia to adopt an in-house, sustainable and integrated waste management facility. Our aim is to ensure that our airport environment works towards the highest adherence of sustainability.”

Robert Jans, director, Ekolog, said, “The Ekolog team is looking forward to the creation and implementation of this solid waste management project at the Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru. The new waste processing plant will be the first of its kind in Asia and will give Ekolog the opportunity to showcase its technology and expertise in this area.”

The solid waste management facility will be odourless, protected from animal access while at the same time ensuring high standards of hygiene.