GBB, as a subconsultant to VHB, performed a comprehensive waste assessment for Logan Airport, in Boston, MA, as part of a Sustainability Plan Implementation for Massport. GBB was tasked with fully assessing the waste stream at the airport in order to identify opportunities for enhanced management and diversion.

The GBB Project Team first prepared a Baseline Waste Assessment report, collecting, documenting, and synthesizing information on Logan Airport’s waste management practices by meeting with Airport staff, tenants, janitorial staff, and waste haulers to gain a full understanding of all sources, flows, and management of waste generated at and removed from the Airport, inclusive of waste streams from both Massport operations as well as tenants, airlines, concessionaires, and passengers. Information was also compiled on regulatory and contractual requirements and education efforts for passengers, employees, contractors, and tenants already in place. In addition, information such as waste collection contracts, monthly waste/recycling invoices, and the waste-related costs for waste and recycling was collected.

To estimate the composition and quantities of the waste streams, the GBB Project Team then conducted a waste audit that involved sorting and categorizing samples of the material components of waste streams and weighing each category. Concurrent waste sorts were conducted at two separate locations over a 5-day period followed by a 4-day period conducting concurrent recycling sorts at two separate locations. A minimum of 65 samples per location was be sorted during the audit and the waste streams selected were sorted into up to 20 material categories. The data was then compiled, analyzed and synthesized into a summary report, inclusive of baseline data on waste sources, flows, quantities, and composition.

Using the results of the waste assessment report, the GBB Project Team developed a waste management plan for Logan Airport, identifying opportunities for improvement and developing recommendations for waste reduction and enhanced diversion opportunities. Finally, a plan was developed to implement recommendations and put in place a system for ongoing collection and tracking of waste data from all sources to measure the benefits of implemented strategies, including environmental benefits as well as operational and cost savings.