Landfill diversion through robust data collection and analysis at Portland International Airport

Abstract

This paper provides a summary of successes and challenges in waste minimisation at Portland International Airport (PDX). The Port of Portland benefits from a partnership with Portland State University's Community Environmental Services (CES) programme, which allows the Port to maintain one of the most comprehensive and detailed airport waste management databases in the nation. The paper describes the importance of collecting data and how to collect data and use the information to make programme management decisions. The ten-year partnership with CES also has created capacity for PDX's waste minimisation programme to influence behaviour change through education and outreach and to explore innovative solutions such as liquid collection stations, intuitive waste receptacle design and a food donation programme. The Port's waste minimisation programme has tackled challenges with diverting deplaned waste from the landfill and identifying options for difficult to recycle materials. Finally, the paper offers lessons learned in waste minimisation that focus on data collection, building relationships and partnerships, and understanding behaviour change.