Sea-Tac Earns SW Chamber's "Environmental Excellence" Award

Airport increases recycling, reduces energy consumption and landfill use

The Southwest King County Chamber of Commerce has presented the Port of Seattle with the chamber's Environmental Excellence Award for several successful environmental initiatives at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

The airport's Recycling and Conservation Program led to a dramatic increase in the amount of materials recycled, and significant drops in landfill use and energy consumption.

"This award reflects a commitment to using the best possible practices in the fields of energy use and waste management," said Gina Marie Lindsey, managing director of aviation for the Port of Seattle. "That requires day-to-day effort in all aspects of running the airport."

"We thank the chamber for this recognition," said Lindsey

Under the Recycling and Conservation Program, the Port:

increased recycling tonnage by 265%;
reduced tonnage send to landfills by 30%;
reduced electricity consumption by 14%;
reduced water consumption by 16%; and
reduced natural gas consumption by 25%.

The program not only reflects good environmental stewardship, but makes good financial sense as well. The combined program has saved at least $1.8 million per year in energy and landfill costs.

"This effort clearly had both high environmental benefit and high financial benefit," said Michael Feldman, Sea-Tac's deputy managing director of facilities. "We would be happy to share our experience with other businesses that would like to make this important connection."