The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has launched a nationwide waste recycling programme across the country’s airports as part of efforts to strengthen environmental sustainability and reduce carbon emissions in the aviation sector.
Managing Director and Chief Executive of FAAN, Mrs. Olubunmi Onabanjo-Kuku, unveiled the initiative during the launch of indoor colour-coded waste recycling bins at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos.
She described the programme as the first phase of FAAN’s Circular Economy Programme, which is designed to reduce waste, promote recycling, lower operational costs and eventually generate electricity through waste-to-power technology.
Kuku said the initiative marks the beginning of a new era of environmental stewardship for Nigeria’s aviation industry.
“It is with immense pride and a profound sense of responsibility that I stand before you today. We are gathered here not just to unveil a set of bins, but to officially launch a new era of environmental stewardship for the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria,” she said.
According to Kuku, waste generated at the airport declined slightly from approximately 1,446 tonnes in 2023 to about 1,383 tonnes in 2024.
However, she noted that all the waste generated during the period was disposed of in landfills without being sorted or recycled.
“The sobering reality remains that, regardless of volume, every single tonne was consigned to landfill, completely unsorted, entirely unrecycled, and representing a monumental lost opportunity. That chapter closes today,” she stated.
The FAAN boss explained that the newly introduced indoor recycling bins would enable waste separation at the point of disposal, allowing passengers, airport workers and business operators to contribute directly to environmental protection.
She said the indoor recycling programme represents only the first stage of a broader waste management strategy.
According to her, the second phase will involve the installation of large outdoor recycling bins across airport premises, while the third phase will see certified waste management companies transport sorted materials such as plastics, glass, cans and organic waste to recycling facilities.
“This partnership ensures that our waste is not merely moved, but transformed,” she said.
Kuku stressed that the programme is not only environmentally beneficial but also economically advantageous for the authority.
She said recycling would reduce FAAN’s dependence on purchasing new materials, lower operational costs and significantly decrease the volume of waste sent to landfills.
“This initiative will assist the organisation in significantly reducing overhead costs associated with procuring new products. By creating a demand for recycled materials, we close the loop and lower our operational expenditure,” she said.
She also disclosed that FAAN plans to convert airport waste into an alternative source of energy through a future waste-to-power initiative.
“We are not stopping there; this is a foundational step as we plan to activate our ambitious Waste-to-Power initiative, turning our waste into a valuable energy source,” Kuku said.
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.
According to her, the initiative supports global efforts to achieve net-zero carbon emissions while aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals.
Kuku reaffirmed FAAN’s commitment to balancing revenue generation with environmental sustainability.
She announced that following the launch at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, similar recycling bins would be deployed at other international airports across the country in the coming months.
She also urged passengers, concessionaires and airline operators to actively support the programme by using the recycling bins correctly and embracing environmentally responsible practices.
