CEO Message Overview Environment Social Governance Index
Waste Management
Liquid Collection Stations
In October 2022 , the Airports Authority conducted a waste audit as part of the Airport Recycling , Reuse and Waste Reduction Plan required by the Federal Aviation Administration for airports conducting a master plan . This audit set a baseline for municipal solid waste composition and waste streams at airside and landside areas under the direct control or influence of the Airports Authority at Dulles Airport .
The audit results indicated that discarded liquids accounted for 21 percent of the terminal waste stream by weight , with sample streams collected at Transportation Security Administration screening points topping the list at about 57 percent liquid waste . The audit team also found that liquid from discarded containers significantly contaminated loads of recyclable materials , causing recyclers to reject them and send the loads to landfills for disposal . Moreover , plastic liners that custodial staff add to recycling bins to accommodate the liquid weight also can result in recycling loads being rejected .
To reduce the weight of municipal solid waste and the resulting environmental impacts and cost associated with transporting it for disposal , the Airports Authority launched a pilot project in 2023 to deploy liquid collection stations in high-traffic security areas at Dulles . This initial pilot included 12 mobile liquid collection stations in five security checkpoint locations between the East Mezzanine , West Mezzanine , employee screening area and the Federal Inspection Services facility . The stations are on wheels , so they can easily be serviced and relocated to accommodate demand requirements .
Beyond reducing the weight of municipal solid waste streams collected and transported from Dulles , the liquid collection stations have minimized the contamination of recyclable loads , improved working conditions for custodial staff and provided efficient liquid disposal options for travelers prior to security screening .
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