This study presents an environmental analysis of Riga Airport (RIX) with a specific focus on waste management systems and the application of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) as a methodological framework. Research aims to assess current airport waste handling capabilities, sustainability objectives, infrastructure deployment, and alignment with regional and national environmental policies. Despite growing ambition, several performance gaps remain, including limited real-time waste tracking, incomplete recycling coverage, and a lack of integrated LCA modelling in operations. The analysis draws from primary survey data, expert interviews, airport sustainability reports, and national policy frameworks. RIX has the structural potential to leapfrog its peers through coordinated LCA adoption, investment in smart segregation infrastructure, and alignment with circular economy strategies. This research contributes to the evolving discourse on sustainable aviation management in Eastern Europe. It offers actionable recommendations for airport operators, urban planners, and policymakers, supporting the development of a data-driven, regionally harmonized sustainability roadmap anchored in LCA and circular economy principles.