THIS WEEK’S CONTRIBUTOR:
Patti Toews, Sustainability & Waste Minimization Business Leader
APTIM | Environmental Compliance & Sustainability
Patti.Toews@APTIM.com
Patti Toews is a provider of sustainability and waste management solutions for APTIM’s local and state government clients. She focuses on new and existing regulatory challenges and issues. Learn more about Patti here.
Waste Not, Save Big: How Airports Can Tackle Food Waste and Cut Costs
Food waste is a costly issue, and airports are uniquely positioned to make a significant impact given that millions of passengers and staff contribute to substantial food waste every year. With the right strategies, airports can reduce food waste, cut costs, and improve sustainability. Food waste reduction is not just a responsibility—it’s a smart business move.
Food Waste Prevention Week & Airports
As part of Food Waste Prevention Week 2025 (April 7–13), a national movement focused on raising awareness and driving real change, airports are encouraged to optimize food service operations, examine concession agreements, improve inventory management, and enhance donation and organic diversion programs to reduce their food waste footprint and unlock bottom-line savings. It is a big lift but can also have a big impact on airports stakeholders, and the passengers who rely on them.
Six Actions for Food Waste Prevention for Airports
- Improve Food Inventory & Demand Forecasting: By leveraging AI-powered analytics to predict passenger traffic and food demands more accurately, businesses can reduce overproduction and implement just-in-time ordering to minimize surplus food and cut costs.
- Partner With Food Rescue & Donation Programs: Establishing best-in-class collaborations with local food banks and charities to donate unsold, safe-to-eat food reduces overall waste generation and supports an important community need. By setting up seamless on-site donation stations to make it easy for vendors and lounges to contribute, taking action is not only simple but becomes a smart business move as well as a contribution to the greater good.
- Optimize Concessionaire & Vendor Policies: By paying special attention to concessionaire and vendor agreements requiring participation in food waste reduction programs, stakeholders can find cost savings through contract evaluation and understanding available resources. Additionally, consideration for smaller portion sizes, customizable meals, and pre-ordering options can boost profit margins and reduce leftover food.
- Promote Food Waste Awareness & Customer Engagement: Identifying educational programs that meet passenger needs while promoting airport goals will ensure continuous engagement. Launching campaigns such as “Take What You Need” helps to reduce over-consumption and waste. Additionally, implementing programs such as discounts on soon-to-expire food items through airport apps can reduce surplus food and drive additional sales.
- Implement On-Site Composting & Waste Sorting: Investing in on-site, or partnering with off-site, composting facilities to convert food scraps into valuable organic material can significantly improve diversion rates. Additionally, AI-enhanced waste separation stations can support efficient organic waste diversion from landfills, significantly cutting waste disposal costs.
- Incentivize Airlines & Lounges in Waste Reduction: The constraints of international waste are an ongoing challenge, and collaborating with airlines to track and minimize catering waste from in-flight meals is an important part of that solution. For lounges, transitioning from buffets to made-to-order meals can reduce food waste and improve guest satisfaction.
Addressing these waste reduction concerns from multiple angles and engaging all stakeholders in participating in overarching solutions is key to achieving a wholistic approach that has the greatest cost-savings potential for everyone.
Stop Food Waste at Your Airport with APTIM
Reducing food waste in airports doesn’t have to be complicated. These simple steps can help you assess your needs and take action. Not only will you be improving the space around you but putting money back in your pockets, as well.
Whether you need help assessing your current waste footprint or developing a comprehensive sustainability strategy, APTIM can support you where you’re at and help you get to where you want to be. Contact Sustainability@APTIM.com to learn how we can help you reduce food waste, save money, and improve sustainability across your airport operations. Together, we can create lasting change.
Published in April 2025
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