Bengaluru, Jan 09: Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (BLR Airport) has inaugurated its in-house Integrated Solid Waste Management Centre (ISWMC), a state-of-the-art facility designed to enable scientific, end-to-end waste processing on campus. This initiative reinforces the airport’s commitment to sustainability, responsible growth, and India’s broader climate and circular economy ambitions.
As one of India’s busiest airports, BLR Airport generates approximately 24–26 tonnes of solid waste daily across terminals, airside operations, commercial outlets, and allied facilities. The ISWMC allows the airport to process waste at source, reducing reliance on external handlers, minimizing transportation-related environmental risks, lowering emissions, and enhancing operational resilience. The facility is expected to divert 97–98% of waste from landfills, leaving only 2–3% for disposal, through in-house processes and authorised partners.
Advanced Waste Processing
The ISWMC has a total processing capacity of 77 tonnes per day (TPD), covering both organic and inorganic waste streams. Up to 50 TPD of organic waste will be treated through bio-methanation technology, converting biodegradable waste into compressed biogas (CBG) for airport kitchens, as well as liquid organic manure and compost for landscaping. The remaining 27 TPD of inorganic waste will undergo advanced segregation, with recyclables sent to authorised partners and recoverable material utilised for co-processing in the cement industry.
Leadership in Sustainability
Hari Marar, MD & CEO of Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), said,
“As a rapidly growing airport, we are conscious of our responsibility to manage our environmental footprint. The Integrated Solid Waste Management Centre strengthens our ability to transform waste into a resource and embed circular economy principles into daily operations. This initiative exemplifies BLR Airport’s commitment to resilient infrastructure and responsible growth as we scale for the future.”
BLR Airport has already established itself as a sustainability leader, becoming the first airport in Asia to achieve Level 5 Accreditation under ACI’s Airport Carbon Accreditation programme. This reflects a 95.6% reduction in Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions and net-zero status achieved ahead of its 2030 target. The airport has also earned multiple ACI Green Airports Recognition awards for renewable energy, plastics circularity, and climate-resilient infrastructure.
Fostering Sustainable Behaviour
Sustainability at BLR Airport is embedded through its Behavioural Change – Sustainable Transformation Programme, which empowers stakeholders to become ambassadors of sustainability. Recent initiatives include the anti-litter campaign, “Namma Airport, Namma Responsibility,” which educates passengers, partners, and employees on responsible waste disposal and effective segregation practices, ensuring long-term success of the ISWMC.
The launch of the ISWMC aligns with BIAL’s vision of “touching lives by nurturing a sustainable future through initiatives that drive economic, social, and environmental transformation” demonstrating how large-scale infrastructure can seamlessly integrate innovation, sustainability, and operational excellence while delivering measurable environmental impact.
