September 6 is Resource Recycling Day!
Today, let’s explore the meaning of this day and the resource recycling activities currently being practiced at Incheon Airport.

What is Resource Recycling Day?

Resource Recycling Day, designated by Korea’s Ministry of Environment, falls on September 6 and aims to raise awareness about the importance of resource conservation and recycling. The numbers “9” and “6” are reversals of each other, symbolizing circulation and reuse.

Resource recycling can be summarized by the 3Rs: Reduce unnecessary use, Reuse items whenever possible, and Recycle used materials into something new

Examples include using a tumbler instead of a disposable plastic cup, carrying a reusable shopping bag instead of using plastic bags, or repurposing old clothes into bags.

Resource Recycling at Incheon Airport

So, what kinds of recycling practices are underway at Incheon Airport? ♻️

① Recycling and reusing construction waste

② Water reuse through reclaimed water production

③ Waste heat recovery from resource facilities

④ GreenDutyFree eco-friendly duty-free shopping initiatives

⑤ Integrated waste management system

① Recycling 75,000 tons of construction waste

To achieve its vision of becoming a zero-waste airport, Incheon Airport signed an agreement in 2023 with five recycling companies to process waste asphalt concrete into recycled asphalt.

A total of 75,000 tons of waste asphalt concrete generated during Terminal 2 expansion was reused as recycled asphalt.

In addition, large amounts of construction waste such as glass curtain walls and asphalt from the Runway 2 repaving project were recycled into aggregate, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 440,000 tons.

② Water Reuse through Intermediate Water Production

Incheon Airport reuses purified water within the airport area for purposes such as restroom flushing, industrial water, and landscaping. Water that is not reused is discharged into surrounding waters to help preserve the environment and contribute to water circulation.

In 2023 alone, this initiative saved approximately 3.28 million tons of water, equivalent to an economic value of KRW 8.2 billion.

④ GreenDutyFree: Promoting Eco-Friendly

Duty-Free Shopping

In addition, to create a more eco-friendly duty-free environment, the airport has introduced paper shopping bags instead of plastic ones, expanded the range of products made with sustainable materials, onboarded plastic-free brands, and run eco-bag giveaway campaigns.

Beyond that, Incheon Airport also recycles waste generated on-site to produce resources such as pyrolysis oil and biogas, which are used as raw materials for jet fuel and petrochemical products, as well as eco-friendly cement. ♻️

Through these efforts, Incheon Airport is not only practicing resource circulation today but also striving to sustain it in the future.

Starting in 2024, the airport has committed to producing upcycled products every year to further promote resource circulation. Last year, it collaborated with Pleatsmama to create bags made from recycled plastic.

This year, Incheon Airport has partnered with Project 1907 to produce a special umbrella made from recycled PET bottles. An event is currently underway on Instagram—don’t miss it! 🌿☂️

Event Period: September 5 (Fri) – September 18 (Thu), 2025
Incheon Airport X Upcycled Umbrella Event

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