International terminal earns LEED Gold certification
By Amy Schneider

Hartsfield-Jackson’s Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal has achieved the coveted LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification.

The 1.2 million-square-foot terminal and concourse were built with recycled and/or regionally produced construction materials, and several steps were taken to ensure air quality, to conserve water and energy, and to increase the use of natural light.

“We are extremely proud of this achievement, which reflects Hartsfield-Jackson’s strong commitment to sustainability — specifically, the work to minimize the international terminal’s impact on the environment,” said Aviation General Manager Louis Miller. “Earning the LEED Gold certification for the international terminal is another step in Hartsfield-Jackson’s journey to become the world’s greenest airport.”

Among the eco-friendly features at the international terminal are:

• A 25,000-cubic-foot “water box” that collects rainwater from the roof, cleanses the water through a series of filters and releases it into the environment.

• A comprehensive cleaning program that uses environmentally friendly procedures and products that conform to one of the strictest standards set by the nonprofit organization Green Seal.

• A single-stream recycling program through which recyclables are collected in 50-gallon, stainless-steel drums and are sorted off-site.

• Low-flow faucets and toilets, which use at least 40 percent less water than standard fixtures.

• Several features designed to reduce energy consumption, including specialized heating and air conditioning units, low-reflective materials on roofs and roadways, and thermal glazing strategies to reduce heat loss through glass.

“Achieving LEED Gold certification says to passengers, the community and the employees that Hartsfield-Jackson is committed to conserving natural resources,” said Jim Drinkard, assistant general manager for Planning and Development. “This is the largest project for which the Airport has earned LEED certification, and that gives us confidence that we can achieve eco-friendly excellence for all types and scales of building projects.”

The LEED certification program is administered by the U.S. Green Building Council and recognizes organizations that construct buildings with a strong emphasis on environmental performance.

The international terminal's walls of windows not only provide excellent views for passengers but also allow in a lot of natural light.