Bengaluru airport launches in-house waste facility, aims near-zero landfill

Kempegowda International Airport commissions an Integrated Solid Waste Management Centre to process up to 77 tonnes daily, recycling nearly all waste generated on campus.

Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru has taken a major step towards sustainable operations with the inauguration of its in-house Integrated Solid Waste Management Centre (ISWMC) on Wednesday.

As one of the busiest airports in the country, KIA currently generates around 24 to 26 tonnes of solid waste every day. This waste comes from passenger terminals, airside operations, commercial establishments, and other allied facilities within the airport premises.

Bangalore International Airport Ltd. (BIAL), which operates the airport, said the new facility allows scientific and end-to-end waste processing at the source itself. With this move, the airport aims to gain better control over waste handling, reduce dependence on external agencies, cut down transportation-related environmental risks, and lower overall emissions. The initiative is also expected to strengthen regulatory compliance and improve long-term operational resilience.

According to BIAL, the ISWMC will help reduce landfill disposal to just 2-3% of the total waste generated. This means nearly 97-98% of airport waste will now be recycled or recovered through in-house systems and authorised partners.

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The facility has been designed with a total processing capacity of 77 tonnes per day (TPD), enabling it to handle both organic and inorganic waste streams efficiently. Of this, up to 50 TPD of organic waste will be treated using bio-methanation technology. This process converts biodegradable waste into compressed biogas (CBG), which will be used in airport kitchens. It also produces liquid organic manure and compost that will support landscaping and green areas across the airport.

The remaining 27 TPD of inorganic waste will be managed through advanced segregation systems. Recyclable materials will be sent to authorised recycling partners, while recoverable waste will be utilised for co-processing in the cement industry.

With the commissioning of this facility, KIA strengthens its position as a sustainability-focused airport, significantly cutting landfill dependency while turning waste into useful resources within the airport ecosystem.

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