Resource and Waste Management

Guadalupe River and Gardens

SJC supports the adjacent Guadalupe River Trail and Guadalupe Gardens, key components of the Envision San José 2040 General Plan. The 11-mile trail network provides sustainable transportation and recreational access for residents, employees and travelers, with secure bicycle storage near terminals improving connectivity.

Wildlife Stewardship

SJC actively manages 84 acres of infield habitat supporting the Western Burrowing Owls, a California Species of Special Concern. The Airport’s wildlife management program monitors nesting, bands juveniles to track development and coordinates with the City of San José to support long-term species health while maintaining safe aviation operations.

Waste Reduction and Recycling

SJC partners with tenants, concessions and custodial partners to improve waste diversion and reduce overall waste generation, supporting City goals of 90% diversion (Zero Waste) by 2050. Expanded recycling infrastructure and ongoing education support passengers and employees in reducing waste.

All mixed garbage and organics, recyclables and yard trimmings collected from the Airport are processed at the GreenWaste Materials Recycling Facility, where recyclable and compostable materials are separated before any remaining waste is landfilled. This “backend” or mixed-waste processing ensures no material goes directly to landfill without first being sorted and recovered whenever possible. Recovered food scraps and compostable paper are sent to Z-Best composting facility and transformed into nutrient-rich compost. Learn more about the City’s waste collection program.

SJC also prioritizes waste prevention and community benefit. Since launching a food recovery and donation partnership with Loaves & Fishes Family Kitchen in 2019, SJC has diverted more than 14,600 pounds of surplus edible food between calendar years (CY) 2020 and 2024, and more than 6,000 pounds in CY 2025, supporting local food-insecure communities. Annual tenant trainings promote optimized procurement practices to avoid waste at the source. Across the terminals, water refill stations and Drop Water kiosks enable travelers to reduce single-use plastic consumption.  
Climate Smart San José: Zero Waste Element.