A federal requirement mandating airports to consider waste management in master planning created a niche opportunity for Morgan Turner to combine her aviation experience with her graduate work in environmental science and policy.
“When I joined Mead & Hunt, Laura Morland brought to my attention the FAA Modernization and Reform Act’s provision requiring recycling planning under airport master plans. This requirement was introduced at nearly the exact time that I was finishing my thesis on waste management and looking to return to aviation from the manufacturing industry. In the five years since, Mead & Hunt has supported me in creating a career doing work I absolutely love,” Turner said.
Turner works for Mead & Hunt as the waste diversion planning service leader, where she provides technical guidance and industry perspective on reduction, reuse, recycling and other waste strategies for airports.
“The work I do, helping airports divert waste has tangible environmental, social, financial and operational benefits. I love seeing results, especially those that are measured in impacts in the community” Turner said.
Turner led the development of waste strategies for Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW), Austin Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) and Jackson Hole Airport (JAC). She has also authored several master plan recycling elements.
Turner established Mead & Hunt’s waste stream composition study safety protocol and was the principal investigator for the Transportation Research Board Airport Cooperative Research Program’s synthesis on airport waste management. Turner dedicated her goal to persevering the environment while creating an enjoyable air travel experience.
“I enjoy the challenge of taking what I learn from the waste industry and synthesizing it for an airport’s unique situation so an organization can internalize and institutionalize concepts of waste diversion and take action to reduce their footprint,” Turner said.
