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Manchester Airport puts waste central to net-zero journey
Through converting non-recyclable waste into renewable energy and using real-time data, Mitie will help the group cut emissions and keep waste out of landfill.
At a glance
Who: Manchester Airports Group (MAG); Mitie.
What: MAG has awarded an £18m, four-year waste management contract to technology-led facilities management, transformation and compliance company Mitie to support its net-zero journey.
Why: To support MAG achieve its target to reuse or recycle 80 per cent of waste by 2030 and its wider ambition to reach net zero by 2038.
Where: The contract is for the Group’s operations at Manchester Airport.
Manchester Airports Group (MAG) has awarded a an £18m, four-year waste management contract to technology-led facilities management, transformation and compliance company Mitie to support its net-zero journey at Manchester Airport.
Digital innovation will also underpin the service. Using compaction equipment with built-in monitoring systems, GPS and onboard weighing systems linked to specific containers and exact tonnage, Mitie will help reduce carbon emissions by only collecting containers that are full and help ensure regulatory compliance, whilst driving efficiencies within the onsite operations.
On-site materials recycling facility
Mitie will manage 9,600 tonnes of waste each year, including mixed recycling, international catering waste, confiscated items and hazardous materials, helping support safe and efficient operations at the airport.
Central to the contract is the creation of a new on-site materials recycling facility, reducing reliance on off-site processing while boosting recycling rates. The facility will play a key role in helping MAG achieve its target to reuse or recycle 80 per cent of waste by 2030 and its wider ambition to reach net-zero by 2038.
“By increasing on-site recycling, expanding low-carbon solutions and using real-time data, we’re driving more efficient waste management, reducing emissions and supporting MAG’s journey to net zero”
By keeping more waste processing on-site, the facility is expected to cut transport emissions, improve operational efficiency and give greater visibility over waste streams in a complex, high-security environment. Helping to keep waste out of landfill, Mitie will send non-recyclable waste to an energy recovery centre, where it will be converted into renewable energy to power local homes and businesses.
The expanded use of Mitie’s Merlin technology will enable colleagues access to real-time data and insights to help identify further opportunities to reduce waste, identify and report contamination, cut emissions and improve performance over time.
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This new contract builds on the 18-year partnership between Mitie and MAG, with Mitie delivering a wide range of essential services that enables operations and sustainability across the airport estate, including engineering maintenance, asset management and front-line operational support across terminals and airfield environments.
“We’re proud to connect people from across the North with the world – and to ensure we can continue to do that for many years to come, it’s vital that we do everything we can to make air travel more sustainable,” said Neil Robinson, chief sustainability officer, Manchester Airport.
“That starts with our own operation – it means making sure we minimise the impact our ground operations have on the environment. We’re an industry leader in that regard, having been certified carbon-neutral since 2015.
“Our partnership with Mitie is an important aspect of our work, so it’s great that we’re continuing our journey together in the years ahead, with new initiatives like the on-site recycling facility set to deliver further improvements and make our waste management more efficient across the airport site.”
Mitie also recently opened a new Cleaning Training Centre of Excellence at Manchester Airport, providing a dedicated space for learning, development and practical demonstrations to equip colleagues to succeed in their roles.
“This new contract reflects the strength of our long-standing partnership with Manchester Airports Group and our shared ambition to deliver more sustainable operations,” said Stuart Bleazard, managing director, Mitie Environmental Services. “By increasing on-site recycling, expanding low-carbon solutions and using real-time data, we’re driving more efficient waste management, reducing emissions and supporting MAG’s journey to net zero.”
MAG is the UK’s largest airports group, which owns and operates three UK airports – Manchester, London Stansted, and East Midlands – alongside digital travel services business, CAVU.
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How will on-site recycling reduce transport emissions and improve operational efficiency?How can Merlin real-time data identify contamination and optimize waste collection schedules?What metrics will demonstrate progress toward 80% reuse or recycling by 2030?How will converting non-recyclable waste to energy support MAG's net-zero trajectory?What compliance safeguards ensure secure handling of hazardous and confiscated waste streams?
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