Waste management milestone at HKIA

Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) has achieved a key milestone in its efforts to increase recycling and improve waste management at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA).

In 2021, AAHK set a target to increase its recyclable recovery rate by 25% by 2025 compared to a 2018 baseline. This achievement reflects AAHK’s long‑term commitment to waste separation at source. For many years, AAHK supported our tenants in terminal buildings by providing dedicated recycling bins in refuse rooms and free‑of‑charge plastic bags for collecting recyclables. In recent years, the launch of targeted initiatives has further strengthened these efforts. In 2024, AAHK partnered with Cathay Pacific to launch a cabin waste recycling programme to retrieve plastic beverage bottles and cans from inbound flights. The volume of collected recyclables increased dramatically since its launch. To encourage and recognise frontline staff’s efforts in proper and effective waste separation, AAHK also launched HKIA Incentive Scheme for Frontline Cleaners in 2025.

Moving forward, AAHK is exploring ways to turn its non-recyclable wastes into a resource, such as the introduction of Waste-to-Hydrogen or other lower carbon fuels technologies as a long-term strategy for total waste management at HKIA.