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recycling

recycling rate

The total waste volume in 2019 was less than the two years before. In 2019, 195 tonnes of unsorted waste were sent to landfill and 655 tonnes were sent for incineration. Isavia’s recycling percentage in 2019 was 41%, while the target set by Isavia was 35% by year-end 2020. As 2019 progressed, it became clear that the percentage would be higher than the target set, so the decision was made to set a new target for 2020, or 40%.

It is now clear that this target has already been achieved. The next target will be set for 2025, and work has already begun on increasing sorting even further as well as seeking ways to reduce the formation of waste in the operation. Isavia also set targets for increasing the proportion of sorted waste by at least 5% per passenger. This target was also achieved, and the proportion of recyclable waste increased from 27% in 2018 to 41% in 2019.

Percentage of recycled waste per passenger GRI 306-2

Year2016201720182019
Sorted per passenger0,027 kg14 %0,040 kg20 %0,045 kg27 %0,075 kg41%
Unsorted per passenger0,160 kg86 %0,160 kg80 %0,123 kg73 %0,107 kg59%
Total per passenger0,187 kg100 %0,200 kg100 %0,168 kg100 %0,182 kg100%


Isavia began the collection of organic waste from workstations in Reykjavík in addition to its workplaces located in various parts of the country, as well as Keflavík Airport, and was quite successful in reducing the volume of general waste. A project intended to draw the attention of employees and others to food waste was initiated through educational material on the company’s intraweb, messages on refrigerators and coffee-break rooms. The Keflavík Airport Environmental Department also worked closely with the operators of the Airport’s staff cafeteria in an effort to decrease food wastage, carrying out weight checks and notifying staff of its results through an information screen in the cafeteria facilities.

recycling ratio

tonnes
For landfill/disposal 1303
For recycling 475
Percentage of recycled waste per passenger
% %
14%

Green steps 

Isavia is a participant in the Green Steps project organised by the Environment Agency of Iceland. The aims of the project include making the company’s operations more environmentally friendly, increasing staff well-being, improving working conditions, reducing operating costs and adopting approved environmental priorities.

In 2019, the Leifur Eiríksson Air Terminal, services building and the tower at Keflavík Airport completed Green Step No. 3 and work has begun on Step 4.

Iceland Radio in Gufunes last year became the first Isavia workplace to complete adoption of the fifth and final Green Step and receive ISO14001 certification from the British Standards Institution (BSI) in 2018. One of the ways in which Iceland Radio has gone the extra mile to reduce waste is by keeping hens to eat generated organic waste which is not used for composting.


Two chickens enjoying life
At Isavia workplace in Gufunes in Reykjavik, chickens are kept for the purpose of reducing food waste.

Keflavík Airport’s warehouse at Grænás receives furnishings and useable building materials from the renovations in Leifur Eiríksson Air Terminal and other airport buildings. Furnishings are reused if spare parts are needed or sent to other locations around the country. Part of the Green Steps initiative currently being adopted by Isavia is awareness of the possibilities of re-using of furnishings and other material within the company.

Part of the Green Steps initiative currently being adopted by Isavia is awareness of the possibilities of re-using of furnishings and other material within the company.