Athens International Airport S.A.

Athens International Airport implements an integrated waste management and circular resource strategy aimed at minimizing waste generation, maximizing resource recovery and reducing environmental impacts across its operations. Through waste prevention, source separation, recycling, reuse and the responsible treatment of waste streams, the Airport promotes the transition towards a circular economy model that keeps resources in productive use for longer, reduces dependence on landfill disposal and contributes to the sustainable management of natural resources.

AIA’s employees, contractors operating on the airport site, airlines, ground handling companies and passengers.

Athens International Airport, Spata, Attica region, Greece.

• Athens International Airport has developed and operates a comprehensive waste management system covering all waste generated within the airport premises, based on the "Polluter Pays" principle and focused on waste prevention, source separation, recycling, reuse and resource recovery.
• Waste management activities cover solid non-hazardous waste, hazardous waste and medical/clinical waste streams, ensuring responsible management through licensed waste treatment and recovery partners.
• Financial incentives are provided to third-party companies operating at the airport through refunds linked to recyclable materials separated from municipal waste streams, encouraging active participation in recycling and waste diversion.
• The recycling rate for solid non-hazardous waste reached 69% across the airport site in 2025.
• A dedicated Recycling Centre has been established and is available to airport employees, enabling both workplace and household recycling and strengthening environmental awareness and participation. During 2025, 11.1 tonnes of recyclable materials were collected through the Recycling Centre. Recyclable materials collected include paper and cardboard, plastics, ferrous metals, aluminium, used cooking oils, textiles, clothing and shoes, lamps, batteries, and electrical and electronic equipment.
• Athens International Airport received Zero Waste to Landfill (ZWTL) certification for the third consecutive year in 2025, following an independent audit verifying that over 86% of waste generated during 2025 was diverted from landfill through recycling, re-use, recovery and other waste management solutions. This achievement contributes to reducing pressure on the limited landfill capacity of the Attica region and demonstrates the effectiveness of the Airport’s waste diversion strategy.
• Proper management of hazardous waste forms a critical part of Airport operations due to the nature and complexity of aviation-related activities.
• During 2025, 36.6% of hazardous waste generated at the airport was managed through Alternative Management Systems involving treatment, recovery, valorisation and recycling. (The remaining hazardous waste quantities were transferred to licensed facilities for treatment, valorisation or temporary storage, ensuring full regulatory compliance.)
• Regarding the treatment and reuse of hazardous wastewater, the Airport operates an on-site Industrial Wastewater Treatment Facility (IWTF), which treats wastewater generated from aircraft maintenance activities, runway rubber removal operations, oil-water separator systems and related maintenance activities.
• During 2025, the IWTF treated 5,775 m³ of industrial wastewater.
• Athens International Airport also operates an on-site Sewage Treatment Plant (STP), which receives and treats all sewage generated within the airport premises, as well as treated effluent from the IWTF.
• During 2025, the Sewage Treatment Plant treated 459,660 m³ of wastewater.
• A “liquid collection program” is implemented prior to passenger security checks. By collecting the liquids, the weight of the waste and the corresponding waste management cost are reduced, while the liquids are led to the STP, utilized for the irrigation needs of the Airport after their treatment, contributing to more efficient use of water resources. For 2025, approximately 140 tonnes of such liquids were utilized.
• A key circular economy practice implemented by the Airport is the reuse of treated wastewater from the Sewage Treatment Plant for the irrigation of non-public green areas, reducing the dependence on potable water resources.
• Through the combined operation of waste segregation systems, recycling schemes, hazardous waste recovery, wastewater treatment infrastructure and water reuse practices, Athens International Airport applies circular economy principles aimed at extending the useful life of resources, maximizing recovery and minimizing environmental impacts associated with waste disposal and freshwater consumption.
• Continuous collaboration with waste contractors, airport stakeholders and third-party operators is maintained to further improve recycling performance, increase landfill diversion and strengthen circular economy practices across the Airport community.

Waste management service providers, the Ministry of Environment & Energy, licensed waste treatment facilities (including waste sorting facilities), the State's alternative waste management systems (hazardous & non-hazardous) as well as close cooperation with Third Parties operating at the airport (e.g. airlines, ground handlers, catering companies, F&B, retail park, etc.) to increase awareness, provide recycling incentives, etc.

Employees actively contribute to Athens International Airport’s waste management and circular economy initiatives through daily waste separation and the use of dedicated recycling infrastructure. A key element of this engagement is the Airport’s Recycling Centre, which enables employees not only to recycle materials generated at the workplace, but also to bring recyclable materials from their households, extending the initiative’s impact beyond the airport.

Through the collection and recycling of paper, plastics, metals, used cooking oils, batteries, lamps, textiles, and electrical and electronic equipment, employees contribute directly to resource recovery and waste diversion, while supporting the principles of the circular economy. This active participation helps advance the Airport’s waste management objectives while fostering a culture of environmental responsibility and sustainable resource use among employees and their households.

Ongoing, as an integral part of Athens International Airport’s long-term commitment to environmental Protection and the continuous advancement of circular economy practices across the Airport ecosystem.

The initiative has generated significant positive environmental and operational impacts across the Airport ecosystem, engaging employees, passengers, tenants, concessionaires, airlines, contractors and waste management partners in the adoption of circular economy practices. Through source separation, financial incentives for recyclables and dedicated recycling infrastructure, stakeholders have been enabled to participate more actively in waste prevention, segregation, recycling and resource recovery. This contributed to achieving a 69% recycling rate for solid non-hazardous waste, while over 86% of waste generated in 2025 was diverted from landfill, as verified through the Airport’s Zero Waste to Landfill certification.

The initiative has strengthened environmental awareness and participation among Airport stakeholders, facilitated the recovery of valuable materials through recycling and reuse schemes, and contributed to reducing pressure on Attica’s limited landfill capacity. The Airport’s Recycling Centre further extends these benefits to employees by enabling them to participate in both workplace and household recycling, thereby extending the initiative’s positive environmental impact beyond the Airport and fostering a culture of responsible resource management.

The initiative delivers significant benefits to Athens International Airport by strengthening environmental performance, enhancing resource efficiency and supporting the Airport's long-term sustainability objectives. Through increased recycling, waste recovery and landfill diversion, the Airport reduces its environmental footprint and dependence on disposal solutions, while promoting the more efficient use of resources. Furthermore, the treatment and reuse of wastewater contribute to reducing reliance on potable water resources, supporting operational resilience in the face of increasing resource and climate-related challenges. By embedding circular economy principles into its operations, AIA enhances stakeholder trust, supports its social license to operate and creates long-term environmental, operational and reputational value.