DHL and Gatwick open £3.8m waste plant

DHL Supply Chain and Gatwick Airport have opened a £3.8 million waste management plant. The new site disposes of category 1 waste, as well as turning organic waste into energy to heat Gatwick’s the facility and power its recovery system.

The partnership aims to boost the airport’s recycling rate from 48 per cent to 85 per cent by 2020.

“On our journey to become one of the greenest airports in the world, our new world-beating waste plant turns a difficult waste problem into a sustainable energy source. We’re confident it sets the benchmark for others to follow in waste management,” said Stewart Wingate, Gatwick CEO. “Our ambitious plans to develop in the most environmentally responsible way possible are driven by a set of rigorous targets.

“I’m delighted to say our strategy is working and, despite passenger numbers doubling, our environmental footprint is better today than it was in the early 1990s.”

Martin Willmor, senior vice president, specialist services, UK, DHL Supply Chain, added: “After a decade of working closely with Gatwick, we’re excited to still be finding innovative ways to improve operations across the airport. Disposing of Category 1 waste can be very costly and time-consuming, but our new waste management and recycling system is a huge step forward.”

“Gatwick is leading the way in converting waste onsite into an energy source and we’re already investigating a number of further initiatives to support sustainable energy production and the future expansion of the airport.”

DHL currently manages inbound deliveries at the airport via its consolidation and logistics site.