Airports Authority of India (AAI) has banned single-use plastic items at its airports across the country, in order to minimize its environmental impact, as part of a corporate social responsibility initiative.
The AAI has already begun measures to eliminate single-use plastic items in and surrounding its airports, including banning items like straws, plastic cutlery, plastic plates and cups. It is also enhancing waste management systems and promoting eco-friendly alternatives like the use of biodegradable garbage bags and installing plastic compacting machines.
A spokesperson from AAI said: “Airports Authority of India aims to achieve, consolidate and strengthen good corporate governance including socially and environmentally responsible business practices that balance financial profit with social well-being”
AAI has formulated an environment policy detailing its commitment for reduction of greenhouse gases and sustainable development. It implements cost effective carbon-mitigation action, which helps to conserve the environment and reduce negative impacting factors in the community and ecosystem. As a part of this policy, AAI is committed to reducing overall carbon footprint. The Quality Council of India to assists in the implementation of the ban of single-use plastic items at 34 airports, which handle one million passengers a year.
Sixteen AAI Airports were assessed by third-party, Quality Council of India (QCI), and the following airports have been declared single-use plastic free:
Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport, Raja Bhoj Airport, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Biju Patnaik Airport, Tirupati Airport, Tiruchirappalli International Airport, Vijayawada Airport, Dehradun Airport, Chandigarh International Airport, Vadodara International Airport, Madurai Airport, Swami Vivekananda Airport, Visakhapatnam Airport, Pune Airport, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, and Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport.
According to Airport Review, this implementation will be completed by 31st January 2019.
