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Airports operate non-stop. From terminal floors to washrooms and public spaces, cleaning activities run continuously to maintain hygiene for thousands of passengers each day. While fuel use and electricity consumption are closely monitored, says Kshitiz Chaudhary, MD of Cizar Hygiene Care Pvt. Ltd, a significant part of an airport’s environmental impact comes from Scope 3 emissions — especially the products used in daily operations, such as cleaning chemicals.
Hidden Impact of Conventional Cleaners
At Mumbai International Airport and the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport, sustainability reviews revealed that traditional chemical-based cleaning products were creating unseen challenges. Heavy chemical usage increased the risk of discharge into water systems, caused persistent odours in high-traffic areas, and raised safety concerns for housekeeping staff. These issues, though not always visible in energy reports, are increasingly important in ESG evaluations.
A Shift to Bio-Enzyme Cleaning Solutions
To address this, the airports adopted Cizar’s bio-enzyme-based cleaning solutions in high-footfall terminal areas. Unlike conventional cleaners that rely on harsh chemicals or fragrance masking, bio-enzymes naturally break down dirt and odour-causing organic matter at the source.
This delivers effective cleaning while significantly reducing chemical use.
Easy Transition, Real Results
The solutions were used across floors, washrooms, public spaces, drains, and odour-prone zones. Importantly, the switch required no change in manpower, cleaning frequency, or existing processes. Housekeeping teams continued their work as usual.
As a result, airports experienced, reduced chemical intensity in daily cleaning, improved odour control in public areas, safer working conditions for staff and lower environmental impact from chemical discharge.
Cleaning as a Practical ESG Solution
From an ESG perspective, this shift directly supports Scope 3 emission reduction under purchased goods and services, while aligning with GRI 303 (Water) and GRI 306 (Waste) standards. More importantly, it shows how simple procurement decisions can deliver meaningful sustainability outcomes.
As airports expand and passenger expectations rise, sustainability leadership is increasingly shaped by everyday operational choices. This case demonstrates that even routine terminal cleaning can become a powerful ESG lever — proving that cleanliness, safety, and sustainability can move forward together.
