November 2025
What if airports could operate with a fraction of today’s environmental impact—while becoming smarter, more efficient, and easier to manage? That vision is at the heart of The event was part of the second TULIPS Progress event and focused on transforming barriers into breakthroughs for a more circular future in aviation.
A European Collaboration for Circularity
The workshop brought together experts from Avinor and a diverse group of international airport operators, including:
- Royal Schiphol Group
- Aeroporto di Torino (SAGAT)
- Hermes Airports – Larnaka International Airport
- Stuttgart Airport
- Brussels Airport
- London Heathrow Airport
- Warsaw Chopin Airport
In addition, behavioral researchers and circularity practitioners shared insights on how airports can evolve and what a truly circular airport system could look like in practice, in Europe and beyond.
Key Highlights
Throughout the day, participants explored circularity from multiple perspectives—combining inspiration, practical tools, behavioral insights, and real-world examples. The programme featured:
- Applying Circular Economy Principles in Airport Operations
Anne Rademaker (TULIPS WP6 lead) demonstrated how circular principles can be translated into actionable steps, supported by best practices already emerging across airports.
- Sharing Best Practices Through ATLAS
Sara Solis (Schiphol) introduced the upcoming ATLAS platform, designed to help airports exchange insights, tools, and proven approaches—accelerating circularity within and beyond the TULIPS consortium.
- Showcasing Oslo Airport as a Circularity Leader
Rita Jonyer highlighted Avinor’s initiatives under TULIPS Workpackage 6, showcasing how circular solutions are being implemented in real operations.
- Understanding Behavioral Barriers
Supported by TU Delft, Anne presented the Fogg behavioral-science model, offering insights into what drives—or hinders—change in circular economy pilots at Oslo Airport.
- Interactive Breakout Sessions
Using the Value Proposition Canvas, participants analyzed circular opportunities for key stakeholders: waste handlers, passengers, tenants, and airport employees.
- Circularity Site Tour at Oslo Airport
The group explored real-life examples of circular solutions already in place, seeing firsthand how these initiatives are being piloted and scaled.
Why Circularity Matters for Airports
The discussions and examples shared at Oslo Airport underscored how circularity can strengthen resilience, reduce environmental impact, and unlock new business opportunities for airports worldwide.
As these initiatives grow, TULIPS looks forward to sharing more developments. If you’re interested in exploring partnerships or learning from these efforts, we’d love to hear from you. Please mail us at tulips@schiphol.nl.
Looking Ahead
As we approach the end of the year, may this season inspire thoughtful choices and fresh perspectives for 2026—and beyond.