daa, the operator of Dublin and Cork airports, has reported a 300% increase in the amount of waste it is recycling at security screening in Dublin Airport. A trial of new waste segregation methods in a select number of security lanes during the first quarter of 2023 resulted in a three-fold increase in the amount of material that is being recycling, with the trial proving so successful that the new procedures have been extended to all security screening lanes in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.
daa said that a large amount of waste is collected at security screening as many passengers leave behind bottles and packaging that is not permitted to pass through in hand luggage.
The positive progress comes after daa achieved significant energy savings over the winter months at both Dublin and Cork airports. daa set a target in October 2022 of achieving a 10% reduction in electricity and gas consumption in Terminals and Campus buildings by the end of February, which was ultimately exceeded at both of Ireland's busiest airports - with energy usage at Dublin Airport dropping by -19% versus the October 2019 to February 2020 period and by -17% at Cork Airport.
The reductions were achieved by identifying over 50 measures to reduce energy use over the winter months. These ranged from dimming lighting both internally in terminals and externally on campus roads and car parks, reducing escalators and travellators run times, and reducing the temperature in the campus buildings and terminals.
According to daa CEO Kenny Jacobs: "daa is committed to reducing its reliance on fossil fuels. In March, Dublin Airport commenced a HVO (hydrogenated vegetable oil) trial as an alternative fuel source for vehicles in the airport’s light and heavy fleets. HVO fuel which is made from waste renewable materials such as vegetable oils, can reduce CO₂ emissions by up to 90% versus diesel and can also contribute to improved air quality. Pending the trial outcome, daa will seek to transition light and heavy vehicles in the airport’s fleet to the new fuel source."