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When Sea-Tac Airport needed a way to control invasive plant species liek blackberry vines and Scots broom growing along a mitigation site and other properties, they looked for green solutions and found one. A plant control system that uses no fossil fuels and also reduces noise? Goats! Watch the video.
The Port and the surrounding cities of SeaTac, Des Moines, Burien and Normandy Park are working together to improve the overall water quality in Des Moines, Walker and Miller Creek basins for years to come. In October 2008, Port Commissioners joined local mayors and elected officials to celebrate the grand opening of the Des Moines Creek Basin Planning project, a partnership between local cities, the port and state department of transportation, aimed at finding cooperative solutions. Results so far include a regional detention facility and high flow bypass to Puget Sound, removal of a major fish barrier, and creek buffers and habitat improvements.
The Port, along with the cities of Burien, Normandy Park and SeaTac, are creating a second basin plan for the Miller and Walker Basins. A number of jointly-funded projects have been completed including invasive species removal and wetland planting. In addition to other habitat improvement projects, the partners are developing a basin wide water quality monitoring plan as well as a hydraulic study that will establish a roadmap for sustainable flows in the basin.
Waste generated at Sea-Tac Airport isn't just sent to landfills. The airport applies creative waste solutions that minimize contributions to landfill, reduce demand for natural resources, and reduce operating costs.
Passengers at Sea-Tac will notice many recycle bins strategically located throughout the terminal. Whether claiming luggage, boarding a flight, checking in at the ticketing counter, or relaxing in the Pacific Marketplace, recycling opportunities are available.
And passengers aren't the only ones recycling. Airport concessions recycle large quantities of waste generated during the delivery of passenger services, preparation of goods, and behind the scenes. Port staffers receive dedicated recycling bins for each desk, and recycle paper, toner cartridges and used batteries.
Traditional recyclables like paper, plastics, aluminum, scrap-metal, wood, and glass are recycled via the secondary materials market, helping to reduce disposal costs and global demand for raw materials. Compostable food scraps, coffee grounds and other organic material are recycled by food-service concessions, and in office pantry areas. Compostable material is recycled into a nutrient-rich soil amendment for use in landscaping and gardening applications. See the video.
Sea-Tac concessions recycle about 12 tons of coffee and six tons of food waste each month! Even used cooking oil is recovered and recycled into bio-diesel. Altogether, the airport recycles 21% of the municipal solid waste generated at Sea-Tac each year.
In 2006, Sea-Tac began a food donation program, facilitating food-service concessions’ donation of unsold food to local food banks. Donated food is deposited nightly in designated airport coolers, which are checked each morning by the Food Bank. More than 30,000 pounds of food has been donated to local food banks since program inception.
On the airfield, airlines manage their own waste. In 2008, several carriers initiated on-board recycling programs to divert de-planed waste such as newspapers and magazines from landfill. Sea-Tac plans to install recycling and trash compactors on the airfield in 2009 to support this recycling.
Sea-Tac Airport’s Noise Programs Office works closely with the Federal Aviation Administration, the airlines, and local communities to monitor existing noise programs and develop new ways of reducing airport and aircraft noise. In 2008, Noise Programs sound-insulated two homes, participated in the reconstruction of one Highline School and one Highline Community College building, continued acquisition and relocation of a mobile home park and homes located in the North Approach Transition Zone, and awarded the Fly Quiet Award to SkyWest, Horizon, and Cargolux. Visit the Noise Web page and watch the short video.
The purpose of this plan is to identify suitable locations for environmental restoration projects that can be built on Port-owned property along the shoreline of the river. The public will have opportunities to be involved in the process to help develop a master plan that ensures identified restoration sites and the commerce that relies on the waterway for navigation can all coexist. This effort commenced in early 2008 and the plan is due for Commission approval in spring 2009.
The Port is currently working on a design for habitat restoration at Terminal 117, located at river mile 4.1 on the west bank of the Duwamish Waterway. The objective is to restore fish and wildlife habitat important to migratory and resident marine and estuarine species. The site is in the transitional zone where juvenile Chinook, chum and other salmonids transition from freshwater to saltwater. Contaminated soil and sediment is being removed under the oversight of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The habitat development will occur in conjunction with that effort or after the cleanup. See the video of osprey nests in industrial locations.
Since 1998, the Port of Seattle Marine Landscaping Department has taken a 100% organic approach to landscaping to provide healthier and environmentally safer areas for public use. Plant material and soil are collected and then recycled as compost and mulch for landscape beds. We brew our own compost tea to add nutrients to the soil and use a mix of low-maintenance, drought-tolerant, disease-resistant, and native plant materials. We plant mixed groves to help prevent pests and diseases from spreading, and plant heavy ground covers to crowd out and suppress weeds without the use of chemical fertilizers. To conserve water, we use irrigation devices and only irrigate early in the mornings and in the evenings. Port of Seattle owns and manages 20 parks and waterfront access sites for public use. See the video of the newest park, at 8th Street.
In 2008, the port adopted a Sustainable Asset Management Policy to guide its decisions related to the planning, design, construction, operation, maintenance, renewal, and demolition of its facilities. This approach integrates environmentally and economically sustainable development by maintaining a focus on the total cost of ownership and implementing a comprehensive asset management program. Several projects are being designed to incorporate sustainable elements, including the airport consolidated rental car facility, the bus maintenance facility and the maintenance warehouse.
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