Manchester Airport is to become a recycling ‘supersone’ in a bid to become the greenest airport in Europe. Bosses at the facility have unveiled its first sustainability report, setting out how it plans to reduce waste, increase recycling and become carbon neutral by 2015.
The plans include the use of low energy light bulbs across the site and the introduction of 125 new recycling bins throughout terminals. The report outlines how the airport plans to be Britain’s first recycling ‘superzone,’ by leading the way in a national drive to put recycling facilities in public places. According to the paper, the move would steer 100 tonnes of waste from landfill each year.
But the airport’s green promisess have got local environmentalists seeing red, as they say the commitment fails to take into account the emissions from aircraft jetting in and out of Manchester. The city’s Friends of the Earth group have pointed out that the airport produces more C02 than Uganda, and that the emissions from flights are their responsibility.
Airport bosses, however, claim flight emissions are the responsibility of the airlines, but have vowed to will do their bit to reduce energy consumption and cut waste. They have also promised to extend a nearby wildlife area by 100 hectares.
The Manchester Airports Group, which also includes Humberside, East Midlands and Bournemouth airports, employ 26,000 people and contributes £3.5bn to the economy each year, according to bosses. The report pledges sustainable growth while limiting the impact of the airports on the environment and their neighbours.
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