Continuing its work in line with the principles of sustainable development, iGA also stands out with its activities in the field of environment and sustainability at Istanbul Airport, which has turned into a global aviation hub with its operational successes. Speaking at the Zero Waste Panel organized at the Turkish Pavilion, Özeren explained the work being successfully carried out in Istanbul Airport.
Waste reduction at source
Explaining Istanbul Airport’s waste management strategy, Özeren emphasized the importance of sorting the waste at its source. Özeren pointed out the necessity of finding ways to use resources more efficiently and underlined that the amount of waste can thus be reduced.
Stating that all parties, including iGA, sort their wastes into five categories: paper and cardboard, packaging, glass, organic and domestic waste, Özeren said that all waste management infrastructure is designed to collect and recycle wastes. Özeren pointed out to the significance of stakeholder management in this regard and stated that the companies operating at Istanbul Airport act in accordance with the Zero Waste Program together by implementing a common synergy. Accordingly, under the leadership of iGA, the Zero Waste Declaration of Istanbul Airport was signed by the CEOs of 18 main stakeholders.
Target: Zero Waste
Noting that they aim to achieve maximum savings in terms of “Zero Waste Principles” at Istanbul Airport, Özeren also touched upon the following points in her speech: “Together with all our stakeholders we endeavor to ensure that all activities at Istanbul Airport are sustainable. All work carried out at Istanbul Airport is centered around sustainability. The terminal building, which is the world’s largest building under one roof, has been constructed in such a way as to provide a 24-percent increase in energy efficiency and a 40-percent increase in water efficiency compared to conventional systems. In other words, we achieved savings equivalent to the annual energy consumption of 3,700 households, and the annual water consumption of 6,750 households, even before the terminal building was opened. While supplying our energy from the national grid, we prioritized the purchase of renewable energy sources and finally we zero out our remaining carbon footprint by buying carbon credits. We have adapted our airport to climate change in line with the Climate Change Adaptation and Action Plan. We pay attention to waste management to produce a smaller carbon footprint.”
iGA’s Zero Waste strategy
Özeren stated that approximately 115 tons of waste is produced per day at Istanbul Airport, and the gains achieved through the Zero Waste Program have resulted in 940,000 tons less carbon dioxide emissions, 11,000 tons less fuel consumption and 31 million kilowatt less energy consumption since the airport was opened. Özeren noted that 20,000 cubic meters of waste storage volume was saved by recycling wastes instead of storing them; and that in addition to solid waste management, all wastewater generated at the airport is recycled and reused under the Zero Waste program, which amounts to 2 million cubic meters of water annually.
