Denver International Airport (DEN) is celebrating a significant environmental milestone. Its groundbreaking “Zero Waste Valet” initiative, launched just six months ago in June 2024, has already diverted a remarkable 69.2 tons of waste from landfills. This represents a staggering 71% waste diversion rate – three times higher than the airport’s overall average. This achievement showcases the remarkable impact of a comprehensive, innovative approach to waste management within a high-traffic environment.
The program, a first of its kind for DEN, is a collaborative effort between the airport and Scraps, a Front Range composting company with over seven years of experience in sustainable waste management. Initially implemented in three concessions within the bustling Concourse B – the airport’s busiest area with numerous food and retail outlets – the program’s success has led to its expansion to 19 participating concessions. This expansion demonstrates the scalability and effectiveness of the ‘Zero Waste Valet’ model.
“We are incredibly pleased with the results,” stated DEN CEO Phil Washington. “By effectively managing waste in crucial areas like concessions, we’re making substantial progress towards reducing landfill waste and carbon emissions. This initiative underscores our unwavering commitment to becoming the greenest airport globally.” The program’s initial launch was made possible by a $495,000 grant from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, channeled through the Front Range Waste Diversion initiative (now the Colorado Circular Communities Enterprise).
The ‘Zero Waste Valet’ team goes above and beyond, offering comprehensive support to participating concessions. This includes extensive training for staff, clear and informative signage, and the provision of essential equipment to optimize waste sorting and separation. Regular waste audits and precise weight tracking using scales ensure accurate data collection and program evaluation. The team handles the complete waste management process, collecting trash, compost, mixed recycling, and separated glass, providing a full ‘valet’ service that significantly reduces the burden on concession staff.
Scraps Founder and CEO Christi Turner expressed immense pride in the partnership: “We’re thrilled to help realize DEN’s zero-waste vision. This program provides a unique opportunity to test our proven zero-waste methodologies and collaborate with DEN to develop innovative protocols to address the specific challenges of waste diversion in a large, constantly operating airport.” The program has not only boosted overall recycling efforts but also significantly increased composting rates. In fact, within just three months, compost surpassed all other waste streams by weight, with trash now representing the smallest volume of waste handled by the team.
The impressive results demonstrate the transformative potential of comprehensive waste management strategies. Denver International Airport is aiming for full participation from all concessions in Concourse B by the second quarter of 2025, with future plans to expand the ‘Zero Waste Valet’ program to the other concourses. This ambitious goal highlights DEN’s commitment to environmental leadership and its dedication to creating a truly sustainable future for air travel.
