Develop an onsite materials recovery facility
Airport, airline and tenant operations generate enormous quantities of solid waste; however, with proper systems in place, the vast majority of their waste streams is recoverable through recycling, composting and other means. Airports generally recognize the need to substantially improve the environmental performance of their waste handling programs, and often view recycling programs as an entry-point into broader sustainability issues. Waste minimization is one of the more visible and passenger-facing environmental initiatives that airports can undertake, and can deliver co-benefits including reduced greenhouse gas emissions, cost savings, and operational efficiencies. Most airports rely on waste haulers to manage recyclable and compostable materials. However, some airports manage these waste streams through onsite materials recovery facilities (MRFs). A MRF is a specialized facility that receives, separates and prepares recyclable materials for sale within the recycling market. A “clean MRF” accepts recyclable commingled materials that have already been separated at the source, while a “dirty MRF” accepts a mixed solid waste stream and then proceeds to separate out designated recyclable materials through a combination of manual and mechanical sorting. Because of the sensitivity of bird attraction and overarching public health concerns at airports, the FAA maintains strict requirements about the processing of waste on airport property. MRFs are often viewed as incompatible at airports; however, with proper containment and other design considerations, can successfully exist at airports, while reducing emissions produced by waste hauling activities and achieving increased waste diversion rates.
Practice Information
| Capital Cost: | Very Expensive (>$500,000 US) |
| O&M Cost: | High (>$100,000 US) |
| Payback Period: | Moderate (5 – 15 years) |
| Staffing Requirements: | High (>200 hours per month) |
| Maturity of Practice: | Trial tested |
| Energy Reduction: | No effect on energy consumption |
| Environmental Benefits: | Moderate environmental benefit |
| Social Benefits: | Low social benefit |
Airport Characteristics
Categories
Case Studies
9/22/2015
Charlotte-Douglas International Airport (CLT)
Charlotte-Douglas International Airport’s (CLT’s) 27,000 square foot Airport Recycling Center is a “dirty MRF” which processes the airport buildings’ waste stream to capture all recyclable items, thereby reducing environmental impact and creating a more sustainable waste disposal program. CLT waste is transported to the Recycling Center and processed through a conveyor operation. Fifteen contract workers sort all of the airport’s trash, and recycling materials such as aluminum, plastic and cardboard are sold. Prices for certain materials sold to recyclers fluctuate month-to-month. Aluminum cans sell for $2,000 per ton one month and $1,100 per ton a few months later. The leftover organic matter, including food, plant matter and trash such as paper towels, is for the worms, who digest it and excrete nitrogen-rich castings. Before the worms are put to work, the organic waste is heated inside a giant rotating drum for three days at temperatures between 130 to 160 degrees. This kills microbes and starts the composting process. Then the waste is fed to the worms inside five 50-foot-long composting bins. One pound of worms can eat a half pound of food daily. The castings are then used for fertilizer on selected areas of airport property. The Airport disposes of 10,000 tons of waste each year. Approximately 6,500 tons of that waste is recycled. 100% of the terminal’s trash is sorted (65% recycled and 35% to landfill). All of the 65% recycled waste is put back into the marketplace, generating an approximate $200,000 annually. Previously, CLT’s waste was transported to the City’s land ll near the Charlotte Motor Speedway for an annual fee of $451,000. Payback for the capital invested ($1,090,000) is projected to be less than 6 years. An additional environmental savings includes an improvement to air quality from a reduction in transportation to & from the landfill. The Recycling Center has the capability to vermicompost certain non-recyclable materials, such as food waste and waxed paper products. Organics are composted on site by the use of 1.9 million worms. CLT offers quarterly recycling center tours to educate the public. The recycling center has the capability to earn/gain carbon credits in a carbon market. CLT plans to increase its recycling efforts to 90% in the next 5 years.
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