Every day is Earth Day at Hartsfield-Jackson
By Katena Carvajales

Hartsfield-Jackson celebrated Earth Day 2011 (April 22) with a series of special events — including a beautification project at Bethune Elementary School, an educational expo to share environmentally responsible practices and an electronics recycling collection — but environmental concerns are anything but seasonal at the Airport.

“The City of Atlanta and the Airport are committed to environmental responsibility, and it is our policy to minimize the environmental effects associated with operating the world’s busiest airport,” Aviation General Manager Louis Miller said. “We have undertaken many sustainability initiatives — such as recycling, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, reduced usage of off-Airport shuttle buses, improved energy efficiency and water conservation — and continue to look for ways to reduce our carbon footprint.”

The Airport’s commitment includes several past and ongoing projects and activities:

• The restoration of Sams Lake, a 56-acre wetlands habitat that includes a bird sanctuary, walking trail and observation deck

• The opening of the rental car center and ATL SkyTrain, which took more than 125 rental car company shuttle buses off the streets

• Energy conservation through LEED certification for Fire Station 33, the Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal and all future projects

• LED lighting for taxiways

• Energy-efficient lighting in terminals

• Water conservation projects that have saved more than 225 million gallons since 2007

• A recycling campaign

• A spill prevention and response program to prevent the discharge of petroleum products, oils and hazardous materials from Airport facilities and operations

• A deicing runoff-collection system that discharges runoff directly into the City of Atlanta sewer system

• The automated vehicle identification (AVI) system, a billing system that reduces emissions by creating a disincentive for taxis and shuttle buses to dwell excessively

• Park-Ride shuttle buses and 5 percent of other Airport vehicles that operate on compressed natural gas (CNG)

• Electric shuttle carts to transport passengers from parking lots to the terminal curbside

• A requirement that contractors working on large projects use “clean,” low-emission construction equipment

• The revolutionary use of an overland conveyor during construction of Runway 10-28 to move fill material, eliminating about 2.5 million round-trips by dump trucks

For more information about the Airport’s environmental commitment, please visit www.atlanta-airport.com/Airport/Environmental/.

LaVertis Newsome, an Airport administrative assistant, demonstrates the best planting techniques for a pupil at Bethune Elementary School. Hartsfield-Jackson employees participated in a beautification project at the school as part of the Airport’s observation of Earth Day.