BLR Airport inaugurates on-site waste management centre
BLR Airport has launched an in-house waste management centre to process up to 98% of its solid waste on campus.;
Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (BLR Airport) has inaugurated an in-house Integrated Solid Waste Management Centre (ISWMC), strengthening its waste processing capabilities and advancing circular economy practices across the airport campus.
The facility enables scientific, end-to-end waste management at source and is expected to divert 97–98% of the airport’s solid waste away from landfills, according to an official release by Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL). Currently, BLR Airport generates around 24–26 tonnes of solid waste per day from terminals, airside operations, commercial areas and allied facilities. With the ISWMC in operation, landfill disposal is projected to be limited to just 2–3% of total waste.
The ISWMC has been designed with a total processing capacity of 77 tonnes per day. Of this, up to 50 tonnes per day of organic waste will be treated using bio-methanation technology. The process converts biodegradable waste into compressed biogas (CBG), which will be used in airport kitchens, along with liquid organic manure and compost for landscaping requirements. The remaining 27 tonnes per day of inorganic waste will be handled through advanced segregation systems, with recyclable material sent to authorised recycling partners and other recoverable fractions directed for co-processing in the cement industry.
BIAL said the facility enhances operational control by reducing dependence on external waste handlers and minimising transportation-related environmental risks. It is also expected to contribute to lower emissions, improved regulatory compliance and greater operational resilience.
Commenting on the inauguration, Hari Marar, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of BIAL, said, “As a rapidly growing airport, we are conscious of the responsibility that comes with managing our environmental footprint. At BLR Airport, sustainability is about creating long-term value for people, the community, and the environment. The Integrated Solid Waste Management Centre strengthens our ability to manage waste at source, transform it into a resource, and embed circular economy principles into everyday operations.”
The launch of the ISWMC adds to BLR Airport’s sustainability credentials. The airport is the first in Asia to achieve Level 5 accreditation under Airports Council International’s Airport Carbon Accreditation programme, reflecting a 95.6% reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions and the achievement of net-zero status ahead of its 2030 target. It has also received multiple ACI Green Airports Recognition awards for initiatives related to renewable energy, plastics circularity and climate-resilient infrastructure.
Sustainability initiatives at BLR Airport are supported through its Behavioural Change – Sustainable Transformation Programme, which aims to involve all stakeholders in responsible environmental practices. As part of this effort, the airport has launched an anti-litter campaign titled “Namma Airport, Namma Responsibility,” focused on improving awareness around cleanliness, waste segregation and responsible disposal among passengers, partners and employees.
BIAL said the Integrated Solid Waste Management Centre aligns with its broader sustainability vision of integrating environmental responsibility with operational excellence, while delivering measurable environmental outcomes as airport operations continue to scale.