Dispose PPE Safely and Ethically: Bangalore International Airport Limited Appeals to Passengers

As the nation soaks in the festive mood and people begin to travel to be with their loved ones, Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL), operator of Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru (KIAB/ BLR Airport), urges passengers to use bio-waste bins, deployed at various locations across BLR Airport, to dispose their Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

As part of its measures to contain the spread of the virus, BIAL has set up 139 bio-waste bins of different sizes, across the Airport, to ensure bio-waste is disposed responsibly and ethically. Currently, used PPE is found strewn across the Airport campus, posing a health hazard to both passengers and staff.

BLR Airport collects almost 800 to 1,000 kgs of biowaste a day. In an effort to reduce COVID-19-related PPE waste, BIAL is managing the disposal of biowaste in a scientific manner, as stipulated by the Government.

With travel set to increase during this festive season, BIAL requests passengers to dispose used masks, gloves and other protective gear at designated biowaste bins, placed at convenient locations across the Airport. In addition to biowaste bins, an ample number of other bins – dry waste, wet waste and colour-coded bins – have been placed to collect garbage such as food, plastic, metal and paper.

“The use of proper personal protective equipment, like masks, gloves, face shield and hazmat suits are critically important in the fight against the spread of COVID-19. This has led to the problem of used PPE contamination at the Airport. Once discarded, they become an alarming health and environmental hazard for both passengers and housekeeping staff. At BLR Airport, we request passengers be mindful of this issue and maintain their commitment to keep their City and Airport clean by using designated bins for PPE disposal,” said a BIAL spokesperson.