The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has officially launched Phase One of its Sustainable Waste Management Programme at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, introducing colour-coded recycling bins to promote proper waste separation and environmental sustainability.
The launch, announced on Wednesday, marks the beginning of a broader initiative aimed at improving waste management practices across Nigeria’s busiest international airport.
Under the new system, passengers, airport workers, airline personnel, concessionaires and visitors will dispose of waste into clearly labelled bins designated for different categories of recyclable and non-recyclable materials.
FAAN said the programme is designed to reduce environmental pollution, encourage recycling and align airport operations with global sustainability standards.
READ ALSO: NIMC: Tinubu’s Digital Reforms Unrivaled, Says Shettima
Airport officials explained that the colour-coded bins were strategically placed in terminals and other high-traffic areas to make waste sorting easier and more accessible to the public.
The authority noted that improper waste disposal remains a major challenge in many public facilities, adding that the initiative would help create a cleaner airport environment while supporting Nigeria’s transition toward a circular economy.
FAAN described Phase One as the foundation of a long-term sustainability agenda that will be expanded to other airports under its management.
The agency also disclosed plans for public awareness campaigns, staff training and partnerships with recycling and waste processing companies to ensure the effective implementation of the programme.
Industry stakeholders welcomed the development, saying modern airports are increasingly expected to adopt environmentally responsible practices as part of international aviation standards.
Environmental experts have repeatedly emphasized the importance of source separation of waste, noting that recyclable materials often end up in landfills because they are not sorted at the point of disposal.
The Murtala Muhammed International Airport, which handles millions of domestic and international passengers annually, generates significant volumes of waste from terminal operations, commercial activities and passenger movement.
READ ALSO: NIMC: Tinubu’s Digital Reforms Unrivaled, Says Shettima
By introducing colour-coded recycling bins, FAAN hopes to improve waste recovery rates, reduce landfill disposal and encourage behavioural change among airport users.
The authority urged passengers and all airport stakeholders to cooperate with the new system by disposing of waste in the appropriate bins, stressing that the success of the programme depends on collective participation.
Officials added that the initiative reflects FAAN’s commitment to building cleaner, greener and more sustainable airport facilities across Nigeria.

