LaGuardia ranks as the 20th busiest airport in the U.S. and is the world's 32nd busiest airport. Over 26.6 million tons of cargo passed through LaGuardia in 1997. Airport operations also generate a complex industrial waste stream. This industrial waste stream includes spent solvents, phenols, and cyanide that result from paint application, paint removal, and aircraft and ground vehicle cleaning operations. In addition, vehicle maintenance operations result in the generation of used oils and greases, spent batteries and tires, pallets, and spent chemicals from de-icing operations.
Airports consist of much more than airlines and general airport operations.
Airports include restaurants, retail establishments, and other passenger services. Waste generation patterns and the types of waste generated at airports vary from tenant to tenant. Typically no central waste management program serves all tenants. Individual airlines, retail establishments, and other tenants may operate under separate or joint waste management arrangements. According to waste audits conducted at other large airports, paper waste is the largest component of the overall waste stream generated by airport operations.