Page 23 - Plastcs News January 2019

FeAtures

And the fact remains good amount of plastic waste is invited a Madurai-based expert who specialises in using
generated by the airport and also airlines. According to plastic waste to lay road to speak at a programme organized
the International Air Transport Association (IATA), airline for its engineers recently. Following the interaction, AAI
passengers generated over 5.7 million tonnes of cabin waste chairman Guruprasad Mohapatra gave the nod to try out the
in 2017, a figure that would be set to double within fifteen initiative, and suggested that roads inside airports could be
years if no action was taken. relaid using plastic waste. If successful, the initiative could
be expanded considerably.
Taking its lesson AAI is enhancing its waste management
systems and promoting the use of eco-friendly sustainable The initiative was most likely to be tried out in Madurai,
alternatives progressively like use of bio-degradable garbage Chennai or Thiruvananthapuram where a good amount
bags in the garbage bins and installation of plastic bottle of plastic waste was generated by the airport and also
crushing machine at airports. AAI airports have also started airlines. If initial trials are successful, AAI could soon
various awareness campaigns for sensitising all stakeholders use plastic waste to lay perimeter roads around airports,
specially passengers towards the cause and to drive and even taxiways. Plastic waste could be used. Apart
engagement and cooperation from all of them. from lower road maintenance costs, plastic waste roads,
if made mainstream, could significantly help with waste
Interestingly the Airports Authority of India (AAI) is planning
to use plastic waste to lay or repair roads on the city-side management problems. Further, if plastic waste is put into
of airports including Chennai. The move comes after AAI productive use, it would also contribute to India becoming
a greener economy.

23 Januar y 2019 Plastics News