Enviromental Acheivment Award Winners

Environmental Achievement Award Winners

Since 1997, ACI-NA has granted awards to recognize its airport members that strive to protect and preserve the environment through their programs, initiatives and projects. Established by the Environmental Affairs Committee, the annual awards acknowledge the hard work and achievements of ACI-NA members by promoting awareness more broadly within the airport community, the general public and regulators of the many notable and innovative efforts undertaken by environmental professionals at airports. Environmental and planning staffs at our airports deserve recognition for their efforts in developing and implementing programs that protect the environment while keeping their airport's projects on schedule, minimizing community and regulatory controversy and using creative means of maximizing overall cost-benefit.

Award Categories

One award per year may be granted in the following categories:

• Environmental Management
• Mitigation
• Outreach/Education/Community Involvement
• Innovative/Special Projects

Award Criteria

Entries are judged based on the following criteria:

1. Environmental Benefit
2. Innovation
3. Effective Implementation
4. Widespread Applicability
5. Cost Effectiveness
    

• Click here for more information on how to submit an entry for the ACI-NA Environmental Achievement Awards

2011 Awards

Judges for the 2011 Awards Program were:

• Steve Alterman, President of the Cargo Airline Association
• David Bell, Editor - Aviation & Environment News and Noise Regulation Report
• Tom Bennet, Environmental Specialist at the FAA

Environmental Management
Albuquerque International Sunport: Sustainability Management System

2010 Awards

In 2010, we received 9 projects for consideration.  Based on the established criteria, an award was granted in each category.

Judges for the 2010 Awards Program were:

• Jennifer L. Michels, editorial team leader of Aviation Daily
• Liam Connolly, senior director of regulatory affairs at the Regional Airline Association
• Patrick Magnotta, an environmental specialist at the FAA

Environmental Management 
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport: Sea-Tac Environmental Strategy Plan – A Vision for 2014 and Beyond
The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport’s (Sea-Tac) Environmental Strategy Plan - A Vision for 2014 and Beyond serves as a roadmap for achieving Sea-Tac Airport's environmental vision.  It provides a framework for annual planning, budgeting and accountability by identifying the measurable environmental outcomes that they would like to achieve by 2014.  Even though the airport has been aggressively pursuing environmental initiatives for some time, it was determined that there was a need for a more formal strategy to focus and prioritize its environmental improvement efforts.  Since its completion in 2009, the Strategy Plan has provided the organization with a new and dramatically improved sense of focus for its environmental actions, and a blueprint for a more sustainable future. Sea-Tac feels that this Plan is a linchpin for the success of its environmental program going forward and can serve as a role model for other airports.

Outreach, Education and Community Involvement
Portland International Airport: Airport Futures
Airport Futures was a collaborative process involving the Port of Portland, the City of Portland, and the Portland-Vancouver metropolitan community to create a long-range (through 2035) master plan for Portland International Airport (PDX) and a City land use plan governing the Airport and its environs.  Airport Futures was a 3-year process that promoted the general public’s awareness of the Port’s efforts to practice responsible environmental stewardship and facilitated a community discussion about sustainable development.  This discussion resulted in the identification of the community’s vision and values, the integration of sustainability principles into the Airport’s long-range development plan, and the commitment to develop PDX in a manner that contributes to the long-term economic, environmental, and social health of the region.  Further, it establishes an ongoing public involvement process to ensure meaningful public dialogue related to Airport planning and development and increase public awareness about the Airport and affected communities.

Mitigation
Southwest Florida International Airport: RSW Wildlife Management Program
Southwest Florida International Airport’s (RSW) current wildlife management program started with a 1989 wildlife study conducted by the Operations Department that identified individual species, the existing habitats and potential habitats that could attract them, as well as the deterrence methods that had been tried to reduce the hazards. In 1997, just one month after FAA AC 150/5200-33 was issued, RSW hired the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to begin a year long study of the wildlife and their attractants at RSW.  In February 1999, RSW became the first U.S. commercial airport to use a Border Collie for wildlife deterrence.  In 2005, a Hazardous Wildlife Working Group (HWWG) was formed.  As a result of the HWWG, improved communications between Environmental Compliance, Airport Operations, and Airport Maintenance assisted in the implementation of several different deterrence methods that had not been tried in the past. In March 2008, the airport initiated a Wildlife Hazard Assessment (WHA), which utilized a unique and innovative methodology that broke down species into hazard guilds, assigning relative risk values to more effectively focus on the areas of the airfield which attract the highest risk species.

Innovative/Special Projects

Buffalo Niagara International Airport: Wetland Treatment of Glycol Contaminated Stormwater
The Buffalo Niagara International Airport is employing an environmental friendly, “grassroots” approach to collecting and treating deicing fluid.  An improved stormwater collection system captures concentrated deicing flows from all airport gates, as well as the first flush flows from the remainder of the drainage basin, stores it at a low point on the airport property and pumps it to the wetland treatment system.  Though the treatment system utilizes natural wetland processes, the treatment actually occurs within aerated gravel beds topped with mulch and plantings.  The tops of the beds remain dry and appear simply as a mowed/maintained field.  These cells, four in all, are each about the size of a football field, 1.5 meters deep, and lined with high-density polyethylene (HDPE) material.  Here, using a number of unique features, the glycol is broken down in two to three days as it travels through the engineered wetland treatment system.

Other 2010 Entries

Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport: Greenpath®
GreenPath® is the proprietary environmental management system (EMS) that Delaware North Companies Travel Hospitality Services has implemented at the concession operations at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL).  Implementation at FLL began in 2008 and has since affected the way guests experience food service, retail and hospitality.  GreenPath’s policies and procedures have been developed to conform to the standards of ISO 14001, the international standard for EMSs.  ISO provides third-party certification for GreenPath and conducts regular audits.  The EMS includes purchasing green products and services, implementing a recycling program for guests, and finding ways to conserve energy and water use. They have been able to divert tons of trash from landfills, conserve hundreds of gallons of water, and reduced energy consumption by thousands of kilowatt-hours.
Please note that this project was submitted primarily by Delaware North Companies with support by FLL.  Due to our rules, DNC understands that if GreenPath is selected as a winner, the award will be presented to FLL.

John F. Kennedy International Airport: Alternative Fuels Vehicle Fleet Program, JFK
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has a long-standing commitment to environmental protection and sustainability. This commitment is demonstrated by the innovative use of alternative fuels in the vehicle fleet at John F. Kennedy International Airport. The Port Authority’s Airport fleet is dominated by alternative-fuel vehicles, including flex-fuel, bi-fuel, compressed natural gas, gasoline-electric hybrid, diesel-electric hybrid, propane, and most recently, hydrogen.  In addition, all of JFK’s diesel vehicles use B20 biodiesel fuel exclusively. The hydrogen fleet of 11 vehicles is fueled at a station established through a public-private partnership involving the Port Authority, federal government, automakers, and a fuel provider. Through the use of alternative fuel vehicles by JFK staff and the public, this innovative program allows for continued research and development, with a potential application to the wider commercial use of alternate fuels in the future.

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport: Green “White” Pavement
Due to cost constraints and grant funding limitations, the Phoenix Aviation Department began developing a LEED-like sustainability standard for airfield construction, or ‘flatwork during their recent upgrade to Taxiway C.  The main aim of the PHX program was to delineate between basic project requirements that all PHX projects must achieve, while promoting and encouraging the development team to investigate and implement project-specific and achievable sustainable innovations.  This led to new construction and design solutions that produced measurable environmental benefits while reducing costs.  This increased scrutiny into the design and construction helped to direct every step of the process from the type of concrete used to the excavation methods employed.  Overall the program produced such benefits as:

• 26% reduction in energy consumed
• 16% water consumption savings
• 26% CO2 savings during production
• 39% reduction in PMlO emissions
• 17% cost savings

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport: Recycle Runway

The Phoenix Airport Museum at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) is promoting environmental awareness through an innovative educational exhibition titled, Recycle Runway: Reclaimed Fashions by Nancy Judd. The exhibition highlights fourteen unique fashions made from trash, each designed around a specific eco-message intended to raise environmental consciousness in the public. Combining the message of sustainability with the art of fashion, this exhibition meets the Airport Museum's mission to create memorable environments for the traveling public. Phoenix Airport Museum staff, with over 20 years of airport exhibitions experience, collaborated to create passenger friendly educational text, mounting a beautifully installed exhibition which generated wide media interest, both local and national. The exhibition is now scheduled to travel across the country to other airports.

San Francisco International Airport: Climate Action Plan
In 2008 the San Francisco Board of Supervisors adopted Ordinance No. 81-08 Climate Change Goals and Action Plan, which mandates reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by each City Department.  The San Francisco International (SFO) Airport Commission supported the City’s initiative and established the goal of carbon neutrality by 2020 for airport controlled operations.  SFO management has developed a Departmental Climate Action Plan that includes such activities as:

• Energy efficiency measures which would reduce GHG emissions by 9,632 tonnes per year from electric energy savings and by an additional 5,290 tonnes per year from reductions in natural gas consumption
• Installation of additional pre-conditioned air and 400 hertz power supply systems which would offset the GHG emissions from aircraft auxiliary power units by an additional 16,128 tonnes per year.

2009 Awards

In 2009, we received 15 projects across four categories including the newly created Innovative/Special Projects category.  Based on the established award criteria, an award was granted in each category.

Judges for the 2009 Awards Program were:

• Steve Alterman, President of the Cargo Airline Association
• Tom Bennett, Environmental Specialist at the Federal Aviation Administration, and
• Perry Flint, Editorial Director for Air Transport World

Environmental Management Award Category: The Bob Hope Airport (Burbank, CA), Hanger 25
Hanger 25 is the world’s first LEED® Platinum-certified aviation facility.  The facility, located at Bob Hope International Airport in Burbank, CA, challenges the industry’s typically carbon-heavy reputation and makes huge strides in improving the environmental realities of operating aircraft. Hangar 25 is the culmination of a truly integrated design-build process yielding an unparalleled application of green building in a previously uncharted sector.  The approximately 52,000 square feet of hangar space and just over 10,000 square feet of office space at Hangar 25 were constructed to house private aircraft ranging in size from the smallest of corporate jets to as large as a Boeing Business Jet 757-200, as well as their maintenance crews and staff. The motivation behind Hangar 25 came from the desire to offset the carbon emissions of the planes by using renewable solar energy to power the facility and its ground operations, in addition to the elimination of the majority of toxic chemicals associated with an industry known for its propensity to pollute. Through proper construction management Hangar 25 was able to accomplish all of the above while maintaining a tight bottom line which proves that building sustainably is a cost-competitive alternative.

Outreach, Education, and Community Involvement Award Category: Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Protect our Planet Science Festival & DFW Airport Earth Day
On April 16, DFW Airport’s Environmental Affairs Department hosted a Protect Our Planet Science Fest for over 100 second graders from Jones Elementary School. Students were exposed to variety of learning stations with different environmental themes which and had the opportunity to participate in a Science Fair. The winner presented an insightful project on soil absorption.  The first, second, and third place winners were provided trophies, and the Environmental Affairs Department donated $500.00 to the winner's respective school.  On Earth Day, the airport continued to promote public outreach efforts by inviting employees, contractors, and tenants to the DFW Airport Earth Day event. Participants learned about the progress being taken at DFW Airport and around the country to protect our natural resources. Over twenty companies and organizations participated in the Earth Day event by hosting educational booths to discuss the environmental benefits of their respective operations.

Mitigation Award Category: Reno/Stead Airport, Stead Solvent Site Remedial Action
The Stead Solvent Site located at the Reno/Stead Airport, involves the remediation of trichloroethene (TCE) impacted soil and groundwater. The site demonstrates the application of cost effective technologies that are designed to exhibit innovation and achieve an overall environmental benefit.  Under the guidance of the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection, the remediation activities and environmental clean up of the Stead Solvent Site utilizes state-of-the-art equipment to remove TCE contamination from the groundwater and soil. Since remedial action startup, a total of more that 35.3 million gallons of groundwater has been extracted and treated, and more than 114 pounds of TCE has been removed from the soils and groundwater throughout the site.

Innovative/Special Projects: Toronto Pearson International Airport, Partners in Project Green & Pearson Eco-Business Zone
Launched in October 2008, Partners in Project Green is a growing community of businesses working together to improve their financial and environmental performance by creating an internationally-recognized “Pearson Eco-Business Zone” around Toronto Pearson International Airport. The Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) is showing significant leadership in moving this project forward.  This initiative is becoming a model of regional green economic development and is garnering attention from other industrial regions within and outside the Toronto area.  Through new forms of business-to-business collaboration, Partners in Project Green delivers programming that helps businesses reduce energy and resource costs, uncover new business opportunities, and address everyday operational challenges in a green and cost-effective manner.

Other 2009 Entries

Denver International Airport: Solar Photovoltaic System
Denver International Airport (DEN) initiated a public-private partnership which was successful in securing funding for the installation of a 2-megawatt system of solar panels on DEN property. The system was completed and dedicated in August 2008.  The solar system generates nearly 2 percent of DEN's total annual electricity requirements, and is particularly significant in helping to reduce peak demand loads by nearly 3.5 percent.  It is estimated that substitution of this renewable energy source will reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions by over 3,000 metric tons.  The significant presence of the solar panel displays near the entrance to DEN's terminal building is an outstanding reminder to the traveling public and the community at large of the commitment that both DEN and the City & County of Denver have taken to lead in efforts to develop and support renewable energy sources in order to achieve sustainability goals.

Fresno Yosemite International Airport: Solar Power Generating Project/Consolidated Rental Car Facility
In 2008, the Fresno Yosemite International Airport commissioned two major projects providing substantial, quantifiable benefits to local air and water quality. Most significant is the Solar Energy Power Generating Project which is producing a much-earlier than expected return on investment and considerable electrical cost savings.  The Airport is now receiving 58% of its annual electrical energy requirement from solar power as a result of this project. Additionally, the original estimate of $13 million in energy cost savings, when compared with the cost of traditional sources, is now estimated at $19 million. A significant portion of those savings will be shared with airline partners through reduced rates and charges. The Airport’s business and working relationship with the private and quasi-public companies that invested $16 million in the project has continued to be exceptional.  Additionally the Airport recently completed a state of the art consolidated rental car facility, incorporating state-of the art facilities and construction techniques.  The new facility will not require busing or shuttling, which could reduce the airport’s potential carbon footprint by 72 tons annually.

Southwest Florida International Airport: Hazardous Wildlife Program
Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) is situated in the middle of an upland/wetland ecosystem that could be very attractive for wildlife utilization by many resident and migratory species, specifically avian species.  Because of these circumstances RSW began a Hazardous Wildlife Management Program began in 1989 with a study by airport operations personnel to determine wildlife problem areas and assess the effectiveness of various deterrence methods. Over the last two decades, the program has included numerous studies, staff training and deterrence method implementations, all of which were voluntary programs.  The Airport’s program includes wildlife management canine.  The implementation of the program has resulted in an over 40% reduction in aircraft wildlife strikes since 1999, even with a 29% increase in aircraft movements over the same period.

San Francisco International Airport: Climate Action Plan
In 2008 the San Francisco Board of Supervisors adopted Ordinance No. 81-08 Climate Change Goals and Action Plan, which mandates the achievement of the following greenhouse gas (GHG) emission targets by each City Department: 20% below the 1990 emission level by 2017, 40% below the 1990 level by 2025, and 80% below the 1990 level by 2050.  The SFO Airport Commission vigorously supported the City’s global warming initiatives and established the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2020 for airport controlled operations.  SFO management has developed a Departmental Climate Action Plan as the blueprint for establishing a carbon neutral airport, and the Airport is now well advanced on the path to achieving this vision.

Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport: Runway 17/35 Implementation
In 1996, the Minnesota State Legislature finalized a Dual-Track Study which decided that, rather than moving the airport to a new site, the airport should be left at its present location.  Thus, the MSP 2010 Long Term Comprehensive Plan (LTCP) was pursued outlining several airport infrastructure and facility development plans, including the construction of a new 8,000-foot North-South Runway (Runway 17-35) that provides an additional 25% operational capacity at MSP and positions the airport to accommodate over 640,000 operations.  The MSP 2010 LTCP represented a $3.1 billion development plan consisting of an entire series of improvements involving the airfield, the terminal, airport access and parking facilities that provide travelers with an airport that is modern, reliable, safe, environmentally-conscious, and that will meet the public’s projected demand for air travel well in to the future. As part of the Dual-Track Airport Planning Process, MAC agreed to evaluate Runway 17 departure procedures to reduce noise impacts in communities in close proximity to the south of MSP.

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport: Grassroots Conservation Movement
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (ABIA) recently initiated a number of ‘green’ programs based on a diligent staff grassroots movement.  Staff requests and willingness to contribute time and effort beyond their normal work duties provided the foundation for the programs. The movement began with improving office paper recycling and then expanded to include other media, such as battery and brush recycling. The enthusiasm generated by these small movements inspired management to develop a conservation team that is now focused on reducing energy consumption at ABIA.  The program now includes collecting recyclables from 14 locations on the airport campus, including from three non-City entities. The program is currently collecting 3,500 pounds of recyclables per month or approximately 20 tons per year.

Bradley International Airport: Oil Drum Art Exhibit
Part of a grassroots art movement spreading throughout the country, the Oil Drum Art Exhibit is a special event hosted by Bradley International Airport and at galleries throughout New England. The exhibit, which started with an opening night event at Bradley on April 2, 2009, features, recycled 55-gallon oil drums that have been transformed into environmentally and socially relevant works of art. Artists of all ages use the oil drums, otherwise bound for a landfill or dump, to express their views on issues that they find to be particularly meaningful, usually stemming from society’s concerns surrounding oil – including everything from the environment to the Middle East conflict.  To maximize the impact of this community-enriching event, Bradley invited school children from several area schools to exhibit their own oil drum art among those done by professional artists, and the results were both impressive and heartwarming. Their artwork and select artists’ pieces have since been on display in the pre-security check area of the airport so that children and their families can view their art at any time. The remainder of the exhibit remains on public display in the secure area of the airport.

Denver International Airport: Organics Composting Pilot Project
Early in 2009, Denver International Airport (DEN) participated in a composting pilot project funded by a grant from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). The purpose of the grant was to collect data regarding waste composition, expected diversion rates, public acceptance, staffing needs, operational needs, and costing information to fully develop and implement the program.  DEN's role in the pilot project was to implement a composting program amongst airport vendors, as well as with City employees at DEN, and to determine the effectiveness of such efforts, including acceptance by vendor and City employees, the equipment needed to support the composting effort, frequency of pick-ups needed, and various other logistical and cost factors.  During the 3-month duration of the pilot project, DEN acquired a significant amount of data on all of the above topics, which is currently being compiled into a report to be submitted to the CDPHE.  This report will form the basis of any future efforts to implement a composting program throughout DEN.

Flying Cloud Airport (Metropolitan Airports Commission): Operational Implementation Plan
Flying Cloud Airport (FCM) is presently the busiest general aviation facility owned and operated by the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC).  The MAC’s desire to make necessary airport improvements at FCM in the 1970s and 1980s sparked concern on the part of the City of Eden Prairie and nearby residents, particularly with regard to aircraft noise and increased operations.  In response to those concerns, the MAC developed innovative solutions that resulted in cooperative final agreements with the City of Eden Prairie. These agreements have resulted in the development of an Operational Implementation Plan (OIP).  The OIP specifies the actions that will be taken by the MAC in accordance with the Final Agreement. In actuality, the OIP goes above and beyond the requirements of the Final Agreement, and clearly sets a new standard of excellence for community outreach and responsiveness to aircraft noise issues.

Washington Dulles International Airport: Design and Construction of Runway 1L-19R Biological Treatment Units
As part of the construction of the new fourth runway for Washington Dulles International Airport, five biological treatment units (BTUs) were designed and constructed along Runway 1L/19R. The planning, analysis, and design of the stormwater quality management facilities was associated with the fourth runway project. The BTUs are vertical flow treatment systems that were designed and constructed to treat low concentration fugitive deicing fluid in stormwater runoff from Runway 1L-19R and the associated taxiways.   Specifically, the BTUs are designed to provide some retention, and to remove biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and phosphorus. The BTUs ranged in size from 0.3 acres to 1.1 acres and were sized based on the expected oxygen demand to be treated.  The BTUs and associated systems are designed to treat the first half inch rainfall from impervious surfaces, reduce total phosphorus by fifty percent, and reduce the average effluent BOD concentration to 100 mg/L. Additionally, they are sized to provide a 48-hour detention drawdown time for the first half inch rainfall for upstream impervious areas.

San Diego International Airport: Naval Training Center (NTC) Landfill Clean Closure Project
The Airport Authority navigated numerous regulatory hurdles to perform an innovative clean closure – under budget and on schedule – of a closed municipal solid waste disposal site on airport property. The site was part of the Naval Training Center (NTC) San Diego and was used as a municipal waste landfill from 1950-1971. It was transferred to the airport in 2001, after the Base Realignment and Closure process closed NTC San Diego. The airport voluntarily elected to perform a clean closure of the landfill by completely excavating the waste material and disposing of it at properly permitted disposal facilities.  According to the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB), the project is one of the few clean closures ever attempted in the state or by an airport. Although other, simpler options with fewer regulatory challenges were available – including leaving the waste in the ground and capping or “bridging” over it – the Airport Authority chose the more innovative solution with a larger environmental benefit.

2008 Awards

In 2008, we received 10 entries across the 3 award categories (the Innovative/Special Projects category wasn't created until 2009).  Based on the established award criteria, an award was granted in each award category.

Judges for the 2008 Awards Program were:

• Ashraf Jan, national resource expert for land use compatibility at the Federal Aviation Administration,
• Anne Kohut, editor of Airport Noise Report, and
• Robin Sobatta, associate professor and department chair of the College of Business at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

Environmental Management Award Category:  Boston Logan International Airport, Airport Emissions Reduction Program
Boston Logan International Airport won the Environmental Management Award for its Airport Emissions Reduction Program. Logan’s environmental program began in 1982 with the implementation of the country’s first nitrogen dioxide (NO2) monitoring program. In 2001, Massport developed an innovative Air Quality Initiative (AQI) designed to maintain Logan's annual nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions at or below a 1999 benchmark.  A component of the AQI is Logan’s current development of a centerfield taxiway that, when complete in 2009, will reduce airfield emissions by allowing aircrafts a more efficient means of getting to and from the terminals. Additional AQI projects include an aggressive ground-access program, a fuel hydrant system, and power and air provided at gates to reduce aircraft emissions.

Outreach, Education, and Community Involvement Award Category:  Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, Stewarts of Tomorrow’s Airport Resources (STAR) Program
Minneapolis – St. Paul International Airport earned this year’s Outreach, Education, and Community Involvement Award with its Stewards of Tomorrow's Airport Resources (STAR) Program. The STAR Outreach Program was developed to promote the newly created STAR program which manages the airport’s sustainable efforts, including an aggressive energy conservation program. A promotional brochure was developed in accordance with the airport’s sustainability policy: the majority of the brochures were transmitted electronically as a computer PDF file. By using a combination of electronic mailing and highlighting the STAR program on the airport’s website, the outreach program was able to reach a large and interested audience without sacrificing the environment.

Mitigation Award Category:  Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Comprehensive Stormwater Management Program
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport’s Comprehensive Stormwater Management Program earned the 2008 Mitigation Award for addressing the stormwater issues that entailed the airport’s $4.2 billion airport expansion project, with a new runway. The program reflected the priorities of an environmentally sensitive community by focusing on surface-water runoff quality, flooding and endangered salmon. Seattle-Tacoma overcame challenges such as adhering to a four-year timeline, using regional basin planning, optimizing systems, and value engineering, so as to achieve all water-quality treatment and flow-control objectives. The airport was able to reduce the required flow-control storage volume, enable the use of ponds rather than expensive vaults, and achieve a cost savings of $250 million.

Other 2008 Entries

Baltimore/Washington International Airport:  Recycling Program
Baltimore/Washington International Airport along with small contributions from Martin State Airport, both which are owned and operated by the Maryland Aviation Administration, have achieved a significant increase in the level of recycling at their facilities.  In February 2004, the recycling rate at the airports was 4.75 %.  Through partnership, training and waste control, by calendar year 2007, the recycling rate had increased to 27.33%.

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport:  Environmental Management Information System (EMIS)
At the center of Cleveland Hopkins International Airport’s environmental management is the web-based Environmental Management Information System (EMIS).  The EMIS integrates and manages all environmental data, records, and documents into one user-friendly system that incorporates environmental aspects of operations into the existing daily activities.  The purpose of the EMIS is to encourage improvement in compliance, pollution prevention and environmental performance and to promote greater environmental stewardship at the airport. 

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport:  Watershed Management Program
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport’s Watershed Management program uses effective and reasonable efforts to identify potential point and non-point pollution sources and develop a framework for the long term management of the surrounding area’s natural resources.  The Watershed Management program was modeled from State and Federal surface water quality programs and uses routine sampling, field investigations, biological assessments, habitat surveys, remote sensing and special studies to quantify changes in the natural characteristics of the airport’s receiving waters.

Dallas Love Field:  Environmental Programs
Dallas Love Field has several environmental programs that have allowed it to have a positive environmental impact on the surrounding community.  The airport, working closely with the City of Dallas, established an Environmental Management System (EMS), which was audited and certified under ISO 14001.  Innovative outflow control devices have been installed on many of the storm water drainage outfalls.  The device can be activated from the tenants’ ramp or the operations command center and will eliminate the potential for catastrophic pollution in the communities surrounding the airfields  Finally, a new hazardous waste removal program was started, and their lighting technology and noise monitoring system were upgraded.

Fresno Yosemite International Airport:  Solar Power Generating Project/Consolidated Rental Car Facility
In 2008 Fresno Yosemite International Airport is commissioning two new environmental projects.  In June they commissioned a 4 megawatt solar energy power generating project that will supply 42% of the airport’s current annual energy requirements.  Over the next 25 years the project will save the airport $13 million, which will be shared with the airlines through lower rates and charges.  The airport is also building a new consolidated rental car facility.  The new facility will not require busing or shuttling and is incorporating state-of the art facilities and construction techniques. 

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport:  Direct Current (DC) Series LED Airfield Lighting System
In 2006 Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport initiated a pilot program to convert all traditional quartz incandescent lighting fixtures to Light-Emitting Diode (LED) technology.  From this transition, the direct current (DC) series LED lighting system emerged.  The DC series LED system reduces electrical power use by as much as 98% compared to quartz technology and over 25% when compared to traditional LED technology.  Furthermore airport operational maintenance staff have reported less than 1.5% failure of the fixtures which results in less trips onto the airfield.

Minneapolis – St. Paul International Airport:  Energy Conservation Program
In coordination with their energy suppliers, Minneapolis – St. Paul International Airport has conducted an evaluation of facilities, equipment, systems and controls to determine where opportunities exist to improve efficiencies and decrease energy consumption.  Through a phased implementation process they have decommissioned air conditioning facilities, replaced steam traps, added chilled water valves and year-round cooling and added high-efficiency cooling capacity.  These projects are now saving over 2,100 KWH of electricity and 32,000 decatherms of gas each year, approaching $895,000 in total annual energy savings and $1 million in rebates from energy utility companies.