Atlanta’s Mission to Have the World’s “Greenest” Airport

According to Airports Council International, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is the world’s busiest airport by passenger volume. (The facility consistently serves over 100 million passengers each year.) Yet, airport officials are seeking another achievement. Also, they want ATL to be the world’s “greenest” airport. GreeningATL, the facility’s sustainability program, has ambitious goals that the airport community is working to achieve. Here’s a sample of the successes ATL Hartsfield-Jackson airport has had on its way to becoming the world’s most eco-friendly airport.

Innovative Strategies for Waste Diversion and Composting

GreeningATL includes a goal of reaching zero-waste. Green Acres ATL Energy Park is the airport’s 30-acre on-site recycling and composting facility. The airport took the bold step of creating its composting facility because, at the time, the closest composting facility was 80 miles away.

Hartsfield-Jackson recently partnered with Atlanta’s stadium and aquarium to recycle the plastic bottles from each of their facilities. They are working with Unifi, Inc. to turn their plastic bottles into apparel. Also, ATL’s Food Heroes Program, which won the top sustainability award from Environment and Energy Leader in 2019, reduces the facility’s food waste by 33 percent.

Addition of Zero-Emission Buses

ATL Hartsfield airport introduced two zero-emission buses to its terminal-to-terminal transportation fleet in 2019. Since these vehicles are battery-electric, they don’t create tailpipe pollution. Over the life of the buses, they hope to prevent thousands of tons of greenhouse gases from entering the environment.

More Recognition for Sustainability Efforts

In 2020, the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure awarded Hartsfield-Jackson an Envision Silver award for sustainable infrastructure for its Taxiway and Runway 9L Replacement Project. To receive the award, ATL had to meet to Envision’s targets for protecting groundwater, using recycled materials, and installing LED lighting. 

Hartsfield-Jackson became the world’s first airport to receive LEED for Communities Certification in 2019. The United States Green Building Council recognized the airport for meeting LEED sustainability targets in the areas of waste, energy, water, transportation, and human experience. ATL’s Platinum designation is the highest level of LEED certification.

According to Airports Council International, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is the world’s busiest airport by passenger volume. (The facility consistently serves over 100 million passengers each year.) Yet, airport officials are seeking another achievement. They want ATL to also be the world’s “greenest” airport. GreeningATL, the facility’s sustainability program, has ambitious goals that the airport community is working to achieve. Here’s a sample of the successes Hartsfield-Jackson has had on its way to becoming the world’s greenest airport.

Innovative Strategies for Waste Diversion and Composting

GreeningATL includes a goal of reaching zero-waste. Green Acres ATL Energy Park is the airport’s 30-acre on-site recycling and composting facility. The airport took the bold step of creating its own composting facility because at the time the closest composting facility was 80 miles away.

Hartsfield-Jackson recently partnered with Atlanta’s stadium and aquarium to recycle the plastic bottles from each of their facilities. They are working with Unifi, Inc. to turn their plastic bottles into apparel. Also, ATL’s Food Heroes Program, which won the top sustainability award from Environment and Energy Leader in 2019, reduces the facility’s food waste by 33 percent.

Addition of Zero-Emission Buses

ATL introduced two zero-emission buses to its terminal-to-terminal transportation fleet in 2019. Since these vehicles are battery-electric, they don’t create tailpipe pollution. Over the life the buses, they’re expected to prevent thousands of tons of greenhouse gases from entering the environment.

More Recognition for Sustainability Efforts

In 2020, the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure awarded Hartsfield-Jackson an Envision Silver award for sustainable infrastructure. ATL was recognized for its Taxiway and Runway 9L Replacement Project. To receive the award, ATL had to meet to Envision’s targets for protecting groundwater, using recycled materials, and installing LED lighting. 

Hartsfield-Jackson became the world’s first airport to receive LEED for Communities Certification in 2019. The United States Green Building Council recognized the airport for meeting LEED sustainability targets in the areas of waste, energy, water, transportation, and human experience. ATL’s Platinum designation is the highest level of LEED certification.