Jeremy Webb, Aviation Environmental Programs Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Airports Going Green Conference Hosted by AAAE/CDA October 31, 2011

Transcription

1 Jeremy Webb, Aviation Environmental Programs Seattle-Tacoma International Airport Airports Going Green Conference Hosted by AAAE/CDA October 31, 2011

2 199 Boeing 737 aircraft!* *Equivalent weight of waste generated annually at SEA

3 Outline Background Why focus on concession/tenant generated waste? Sustainability drivers at SEA? Stakeholder engagement Challenges of working with Diverse Concessions Education and Outreach at SEA Case Studies Recognition Conclusion

4 Background Port of Seattle owns and operates Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and Seattle s Seaport Environmental stewardship is an organizational priority Environmental Strategy Plan - SEA s roadmap to sustainability Set goal to reach 50% recycling rate by 2014

5 Why Concession/Tenant waste? 90% of SEA waste comes from public areas, concessions, and aircraft Primary interaction with concession sustainability initiatives involve waste reduction and recycling Public views waste as reflection of SEA s commitment to sustainability Opportunities to reduce costs, increase sustainability, and improve customer service (triplebottom-line)

6 What Drives Concession Sustainability at SEA? Airport commitment to sustainability Customer expectations Corporate Social Responsibility Local conditions The Pacific Northwest has some of the nations highest landfill disposal fees and robust recycling markets

7 Stakeholder Engagement Include all stakeholders in waste planning activities Gather input to understand current practices, challenges, and future waste reduction and recycling opportunities Address distinct differences between concessionaires and airlines with separate processes

8 Diverse Concessions and Challenges Concession size Extensive training for large concessions solution: train the trainer Small concessions with limited resources solution: make programs cost effective and provide resources Economies of scale and supply chain logistic impact business decisions Concession business types Food and beverage, retail, and service concessions generate different waste Takeaway: Understand your concessions and support sustainability in their unique operations

9 Education and Outreach at SEA Provide Resources and Technical Assistance to concessions/tenants Communicate goals and progress Provide free waste reduction training and recycling collection receptacles Maintain dialogue with concessions/tenants Takeaway: Education and outreach are essential for success

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11 Case Studies 1. Food Scrap Recycling 2. Food Bank Donations 3. Airfield Waste and Recycling

12 Food Scrap Recycling Drivers 58% of airport waste compostable Opportunity to reduce concession disposal costs Actions Began by collecting coffee grounds - averaged 12 tons/month Expanded program to include all compostable material Partnered with HMSHost to implement back-of-house food scrap recycling Expanded back-of-house collection to non-hmshost concessions In 2010, implemented pilot project to collect food scraps in Central terminal food court Accomplishments Nearly doubled monthly diversion of compostable material from 12 tons to 23 tons Reduced concessions and airport solid waste disposal costs

13 Recycled coffee grounds

14 Back-of-house

15 Front-of-house Central Terminal Food court

16 Food Bank Donation Drivers Large quantities of unsold food going to landfill Opportunity to reduce costs, reduce waste, and support local community Actions Obtained buy-in from five concessionaires in 2005 Liability concerns addressed through State and Federal and Good Samaritan Acts Designated convenient donation room with refrigerators Coordinated routine collection schedule with food bank HMSHost began donating in 2011 Accomplishments Since 2005, concessionaires donated over 50,000 lbs. That s 150 meals every week over five years! Takeaway: Food Bank Donation is a win/win/win for airports, concessions, and airport communities

17 Food Bank Donations 150 meals per week for 5 years!

18 Airfield Waste and Recycling Drivers 20% of airport waste is generated by aircraft Inefficient airline waste management practices on airfield Elevated airline waste disposal costs Ramp safety issues, and tenant conflicts Actions Engaged airline stakeholders to understand needs Coordinated West Coast airports to understand recycling infrastructure, services, and handling practice commonalities Installed centralized Airport-managed airfield waste and recycling system Accomplishments Airlines recycled 184 tons of deplaned waste in 2010 Reduced airline waste disposal costs Improved ramp safety by reducing airfield traffic, FOD and wildlife hazards, and resolved airline disposal conflicts

19 Paired recycling and trash compactors at gate B4

20 Deplaned waste recycling

21 Don t Forget Recognition

22 Conclusion Airport goals, Corporate Social Responsibility, and local economic and market conditions primarily drive concession sustainability at SEA Separate stakeholder processes for concessions and airlines Understand your concessions and support sustainability in their unique operations Education and Outreach are essential for success Recognize concession sustainability accomplishments

23 Thank You

24 Thank You