The Coimbatore International Airport, Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation, and Residents Awareness Association of Coimbatore (RAAC), an NGO, have joined hands to initiate the zero waste-management project at the Coimbatore International Airport. A kiosk has been set up at the airport to manage waste that is generated by the Coimbatore International Airport responsibly.

About 900 kilograms of waste is generated on a daily basis at the Coimbatore International Airport. Most of the waste is generated from the flights that land at the Coimbatore International Airport, and by the eateries that operate at the airport premises.

The waste commonly generated by the airport plastic water bottles, carry-bags, and leftover food. Such waste is dumped in an open yard located close to the cargo section of the Coimbatore International Airport. The garbage attracts stray animals and birds. While the stray animals litter the place, the bigger birds pose a threat to flights at the airport.

In order to help the airport manage its wastes responsibly, the Coimbatore Corporation Commissioner Dr. K. Vijaykarthikeyan opened a kiosk at the airport. The kiosk, manned by persons deployed by RAAC, will collect wastes generated by the airlines and the eateries, twice a day.

The garbage will then be transported to a segregation unit, where it will be segregated into recyclable, non- recyclable, degradable, and non-degradable wastes, between 9 am and 11 am, and between 4 to 6 pm.

The airport authorities are positive that the zero waste management project will be successful. If the volume of degradable waste generated at the Coimbatore International Airport is high, the Airport Authority of India (AAI) will consider installing a biogas plant at the airport in the near future.