Steve Blackburn

Steve Blackburn has been a circular economy and waste management consultant for 28 years, working with local and national government and industry clients to focus on material use. He has worked in the aviation sector to implement circularity in airport expansion and operations, most recently with Heathrow. His favorite hobby is doing escape rooms – he hasn’t been locked in yet!

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Heathrow Airport: how to develop a zero waste strategy

Heathrow is committed to reducing operational waste by 2030 against rising passenger numbers. In collaboration with consultancy firm WSP, Heathrow is drafting a new strategy that details interventions to avoid waste and increase reuse and recycling rates, potentially eradicating 3,500 tonnes of waste. The range of interventions is extensive, addressing supply chains, use or management of plastics, organics, glass and residual wastes from airside, landside and aircraft. Each is analyzed to understand potential contributions to waste. Stakeholders informed the identification of interventions, nurturing ownership across the business. The presenters are pleased to share insights into the strategy formulation and proposed interventions.

The audience will learn:

• Interventions that attendees can consider to tackle waste across their own airport estates
• Best practices and lessons learned from colleagues in other airports who have implemented similar interventions
• The process of developing a zero waste strategy: ideation, modeling and stakeholder engagement