Lucknow’s Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport (LKO) has etched a new milestone in environmental stewardship by being awarded the prestigious “Zero Waste to Landfill (ZWL) Platinum – Class I” rating. This distinction places LKO among India’s elite green airports, following the lead of Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, which was the first in the country to achieve ZWL accreditation.

The ZWL Platinum – Class I certification is issued by the CII-ITC Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Development, one of India's foremost bodies in recognizing eco-friendly practices. It certifies that 99% or more of all waste generated at the airport is diverted away from landfills, through sustainable methods such as recycling, composting, energy recovery, and responsible disposal.

Platinum – Class I is the highest tier of accreditation under the CII‑ITC Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Development, indicating exemplary implementation of the 5R principles—Reduce, Reuse, Reprocess, Recycle, Recover.

Lucknow’s recognition is especially significant as it showcases how large transportation hubs can drive real impact through focused sustainability goals. The achievement not only enhances the airport’s environmental credibility but also improves public health and community well-being by reducing landfill dependency, minimizing pollution, and promoting a circular economy.

This is more than a trophy—it’s a leap toward truly sustainable airports.