GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd., which operates the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, has installed two machines as a pilot project for crushing plastic PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottles, steel/ aluminium cans and plastic bags in an eco-friendly way for recycling purposes.
In association with Wild West Media, an agency that provides these machines, the airport has started the pilot with the installation of two such machines in the airport. The project is being steered under the umbrella of the airport’s signature “Passenger is Prime” programme with the objective to inspire people to contribute towards environmental sustenance.
Passengers will get the option to either make a donation or claim a discount coupon in return for depositing their empty plastic water bottles/ bags/ metal cans in the crushing machine.
These refrigerator-sized machines on wheels are able to crush a large number of plastic PET bottles or steel/aluminium cans in a day. These crushed waste materials are then collected for the next level of recycling and re-use. Every machine is manned by a trained professional to assist people in using the machine.
SGK Kishore, CEO, GHIAL, said, “In line with the Prime Minister’s Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, we are happy to offer effective recycling opportunities to the passengers and airport community by installing innovative plastic bottles/bag/ metal can crushing machines at Hyderabad airport.”
The airport has a composting plant, which processes the food waste generated at the airport.
The airport receives more than 40,000 passengers daily and generates large quantities of municipal waste. The airport uses food waste to generate its own organic manure in its captive composting plant, which is then used in its landscaped garden areas.