Denver International Airport to Celebrate Earth Day 2013

DENVER, CO — April 18, 2013 — Denver International Airport (DIA) will be celebrating Earth Day on Monday, April 22, with a variety of events, including public education about DIA’s “green” initiatives, giveaways and contests with prizes.

DIA was the first international airport in the United States to design and implement an Environmental Management System encompassing the entire airport that was successfully certified in 2004 to meet the requirements of the international standard known as ISO 14001. Through the implementation of this system, the airport continues to set aggressive environmental performance goals and targets for pollution prevention, waste minimization, recycling, energy efficiency, emissions reductions and sustainable development. DIA is pleased to announce that it recently passed its Environmental Management System Recertification Audit, which examines the airport’s programs to reduce environmental impact and encourage sustainable practices.

“Denver International Airport is committed to sustainability,” said Manager of Aviation Kim Day. “Our focus is to become increasingly sustainable by making strategic business decisions that balance financial viability with environmental protection and the public good, and as a result, DIA is recognized as a leader in the industry.”

The public is invited to visit the DIA Environmental Services booth inside Jeppesen Terminal on Earth Day. Educational materials that highlight the airport’s commitment to the environment will be available, as well as free items such as jar openers made out of recycled tires, reusable grocery bags and balsa wood planes while supplies last. Passengers also can enter to win an energy-efficient LED light.

Additional Earth Day activities involving DIA employees include:

• Employees dropped off electronic devices at the DIA Employee Electronic Recycling Collection Event on April 17 at 56th & Peña Boulevard.
• On April 19 and 22, employees can donate used or unwanted items to the Resource Area for Teaching (RAFT) program which benefits local schools and children.
• DIA carpoolers and bus riders are eligible to win gift cards in a drawing.

Photo Opportunities for Journalists (please call 303-342-2250 to schedule an appointment):

• DIA’s Green Fleet – DIA maintains 322 alternatively fueled vehicles, including 210 buses, sweepers, and other vehicles that can utilize compressed natural gas and 112 electric and hybrid-electric vehicles. Alternative vehicles made up 32 percent of the airport’s fleet in 2012.
• Solar Arrays – DIA’s solar projects are among the largest in North America. DIA’s three solar power arrays spread across a total of approximately 44 acres of land and are capable of producing approximately six percent of the airport’s total electrical power requirements. The output makes DIA the largest distributed generation photovoltaic energy producer in the state of Colorado. More information about DIA’s energy management is on http://business.flydenver.com/community/energy/index.asp.
• Recycling and Composting –more than 1,680 tons of municipal solid waste (trash) was diverted from the landfill for recycling (paper, glass, aluminum, plastic) in 2012. DIA’s composting program has collected over 55 tons of food waste and paper towels from employee break rooms and bathrooms as well as pre-consumer food waste from terminal concessions. A list of the items DIA recycles can be found on: http://business.flydenver.com/community/enviro/systemguide.asp#recyclables.
• DIA has a “State of the Art” aircraft deicing fluid (ADF) management system – During the 2011-2012 snow season, we collected 68 percent of ADF sprayed and reclaimed 68 percent of the ADF collected.

Environmental Awards

• FAA Environmental Stewardship Award (2007)
• Metro Gold Award for 100% compliance (2007)
• Sustainability Champion Team Award from CDPHE and Colorado Environmental Partnership (2009)
• Airports Going Green Award (AGG) from the City of Chicago Dept. of Aviation for DIA’s photovoltaic power installations and leadership in pursuit of sustainability (2011)
• Denver’s 5281 Award (for sustainable practices): Employee Glenn Frieler and his DIA project team implemented a new technology that crushed, recycled, and reused roadway concrete in place. (2011)

More information about DIA’s environmental management is available at http://business.flydenver.com/environmental.

Videos about DIA’s environmental programs: DIA’s Green Fleet, Caught Green Handed.

Denver International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world. DEN is the primary economic engine for the state of Colorado, generating more than $36 billion for the region annually. For more information visit www.FlyDenver.com, check us out on YouTube and Instagram, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Sign up for DEN’s monthly newsletter Nonstop News.

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