Improving terminal waste diversion: Education, engagement and corporate culture at Vancouver International Airport

Marion Town and Shaye Folk-Blagbrough

Journal of Airport Management, 2018, vol. 12, issue 2, 186-197

Abstract: Culture is a significant driver in the success of waste reduction and recycling initiatives in any region or organisation. This paper provides information on how the diversion of waste generated from passenger and operational activities (municipal waste) at the Vancouver International Airport was improved over time. For a number of years, waste diversion data indicated that Vancouver International Airport’s waste management strategies had hit a ‘ceiling’ and moving beyond an annual 36 per cent diversion rate presented challenges for the organisation. Three elements combined to overcome the barrier — a regulatory change for how waste is managed, a corporate commitment to increase diversion from terminal operations and the formal expression of accountability, teamwork and innovation as core organisational values. These components, along with a refreshed recycling culture in the Metro Vancouver region, have helped drive an additional 15 per cent improvement in waste diversion. By year end 2016, Vancouver Airport had achieved an annual diversion rate of 51 per cent, exceeding its corporate goal three years ahead of schedule.

Keywords: waste; waste diversion; recycling; engagement; sustainability; culture (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: M1 M10 R4 R40 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aza:jam000:y:2018:v:12:i:2:p:186-197

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