Executive Summary
OCS New Zealand’s WasteLine division has partnered with Auckland Airport (AKL) since 2012, supporting the growth of Aotearoa New Zealand’s busiest international hub. Over more than a decade, the service has evolved through three distinct phases – from cost and efficiency improvements, to waste diversion, and now operational excellence.
In 2023, AKL opened a new MPI-approved waste facility to expand recovery of cabin and kitchen waste. WasteLine now manages daily waste movement across the airport, operating under strict biosecurity requirements while helping AKL deliver on its long-term sustainability goals.
4 Fast Facts
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18
Million passengers served annually
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20%
Reduction in waste management spend
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3
Tonnes of waste and recycling moved and processed
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1
Dedicated MPI-approved facility commissioned in 2023
The brief
Auckland Airport required a waste partner that could operate effectively in a high-security environment, manage strict MPI biosecurity controls, and support evolving sustainability goals.
Working together since 2012, WasteLine helped AKL reduce costs, improve service transparency, and lay the groundwork for future recovery-focused initiatives.
To support this, WasteLine was engaged to:
The outcome
The partnership has delivered strong results through three distinct phases:
- In 2012, OCS WasteLine identified service efficiencies and cut annual spend by approximately 20%
- In 2015, WasteLine developed and operated Aotearoa’s first transitional waste facility in partnership with MPI and AKL
- In 2023, a dedicated MPI-approved facility was commissioned, enabling recovery of cabin, kitchen, and retailer waste streams
Since the new facility went live in 2023, WasteLine and Auckland Airport have continued to refine and expand their waste management approach. The partnership remains focused on increasing waste recovery, improving on-site operations, and working together to meet the airport’s long-term sustainability targets
Key outcomes and results included:
“OCS are a trusted partner, managing the movement of our waste streams across the airport terminals, and provides expertise in the handling and management of our biosecurity waste. They support our waste minimisation initiatives by conducting waste audits and thinking strategically with us on how we can divert waste from landfill and into recovery and recycling streams.”
Colinda Rowe
Waste Minimisation Manager, Auckland Airport
