Sustainability Plan
A “Green Environment” sustains a brighter future. Addison Airport is committed to meeting its existing needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. The airport is committed to make decisions which minimize negative environmental and social impacts because environmental quality and economic health are mutually dependant. We are committed to protest, preserve and restore the natural environments. As a general aviation airport, we accept this responsibility with respect for nature, the environment, our employees and the well-being of our surroundings
At Addison Airport, we commit to:
- Act with integrity and openness
- Take responsibility and make responsible choices
- Promote continuous improvement in the airport
- Invest in quality services and facilities
- Embrace diversity our workforce
Airport sustainability as a business strategy has immediate and long-term benefits that can be measured. Outreach is the key to strengthening the momentum of this endeavor. Airport Administration team members encourage our airport tenants and businesses to join us as we identify new opportunities that are vital to our business.
Decisions will be made using guidelines to maximize environmental benefits and reducing or eliminating negative environmental impacts. We will strive to raise community awareness, responsibility and participation within our airport community.
“Working Green” means each of us will have a unique opportunity to make a positive impact on our environment while on the job. Environmental impacts of the airport’s current activities are described as are many initiatives that we have taken to reduce these impacts. This report describes activities under development and underway at Addison Airport.
- Enhance employee and tenant satisfaction
By providing a healthier airport environment, we will help Addison Airport employees and tenants boost productivity and tenure, becoming a more sustainable airport. We will strengthen our reputation as a good neighbor, and the airport of choice. Our “Best Management Practices” are simple, easy to implement guidelines for office procedures, which will be distributed to our tenants and employees.
- Air Quality
Air quality concerns must be addressed in airport operations and planning. Roadway traffic is the most significant source of air emissions but aircraft, ground support equipment also contribute to air quality issues. Other emission sources at the airport include auxiliary power units, construction equipment, aircraft painting and fuel tanks. We will encourage airport tenants to use alternatively fueled vehicles for operations. Addison Airport has responded to air quality issues by implementing the following:
- Voluntary single-engine taxi / idle program for jet aircraft?
- Replace airport vehicles (pick-ups in particular) with hybrids “No vehicle idling” policies
- We will promote the development and implementation of less polluting alternative aviation fuels for aircraft
- Recycling
Recycling is the process of turning waste into a useable product. It can be as simple as delivering the waste to the right person or sending the waste to a manufacturing process to reuse the material. When the cost of disposing a product is eliminated, the economic benefits can be substantial. In addition, recycling can open new revenue streams, conserve landfill space and show environmental stewardship.
- The airport management has worked with the Town’s recycling efforts and will continue to look for ways to provide recycling options for our airport tenants and employees.
- Water
Clean water is a priority for businesses and employees at Addison Airport. Airport development can result in impacts to wetlands. Wetlands are important to the ecology because they provide habitat for plants and animals. In addition, wetland absorb as nutrients, the various pollutants that can be found in airport runoff. Contamination of surface water can occur as a result of the storage, use, handling or disposal of fuel and hazardous products on the airport. Construction waste, historic contamination and spills can result in wastes on airport property. Our water priorities include:
- Maintain water efficient plumbing fixtures, including waterless urinals in all airport buildings controlled by the City and seek similar measures from tenants.
- Replace any existing sprinkler systems with drip irrigation systems where appropriate
- Maintain water/irrigation schedules to minimize waste or over-watering and provide for maximum benefit with minimum impact on water demand.
- Use more ‘xeric’ and low-water-use landscaping around the airport
- Install moisture sensors on irrigation systems so they will not turn on when it is raining
- Install gray-water and storm-water capture systems, where feasible, to further reduce the use of potable water resources
- Update and implement a revised Airport Runoff Plan that incorporates current conditions.
- Investigate the possibility of using underground storm water retention as a source for irrigation water? (South RSA drainage project?)
- Encourage some tree planting on airport land-side areas to shade buildings
- Energy Use
Airports are major electrical consumers. Lighting systems, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, office equipment and tenant facilities all present targets of opportunity for reducing electric power consumption. Our efforts for reducing overall electricity use include:
- Solar-powered taxiway edge reflectors (already installed on Taxiways Romeo, Sierra, Uniform, and Victor)
- Replace incandescent/quartz airfield lights with LED fixtures
- Motion sensors / timers on hangar area lighting
- Replace older light fixtures with more efficient lights (e.g. fluorescent and LED fixtures) … both interior and exterior lighting
- Encourage “green” building practices for new construction (more insulation, etc.)
- Specification of more energy efficient equipment for new and replaced purchasin
- Scheduling of the use of electrical equipment during non peak hours when possible
- Incentive program for installation of solar panels on airport buildings? (new construction and upgrades to existing facilities … must comply with TOA codes)
- Include wind/solar electricity generation installations on retrofit of Collins Hangars?
- Use solar power for small installations such as irrigation systems, obstruction lights (with back-up), landscape lighting, etc.
- Solid Waste
Airports produce a large amount of solid waste, ranging from hazardous waste (antifreeze, jet fuel, waste motor oil, solvents and batteries), construction waste (excavation dirt and materials, unusable construction materials), food, paper, cardboard, metal, glass, and plastic trash from offices, and waste from maintenance and operations.
- Within the airport offices, can we find a way to start recycling plastic, aluminum cans, cardboard boxes, and paper
- Work with the Town to help develop a recycling program for businesses
- Set up recycling drop bins on the airport for various recyclable materials
- Implement waste reduction and recycling options for the airport tenants
- Make available oil and hazardous waste stations
- Make available recycling containers at Airport Administration Building
- Provide regular sweeping of airport parking lots and walkways. Airport staff will work with the Town’s public works department to develop a program for the composting of sweeping materials.
- Develop programs to prevent solid waste materials from getting into storm drains.
- Noise
The airport will continue to actively monitor and enforce existing noise for aircraft using the Airport and promote on-going exploration of the feasibility of stronger noise restrictions and/or procedures
- Maintain noise control education outreach programs to pilots, aircraft owners and operators, and aviation tenants
- Develop appropriate run-up areas and procedures to provide as much noise attenuation as feasible
- Development/Landscaping
From the buildings our department owns or operates, to the products we buy, we are committed to environment friendly, energy- and resource-efficient practices and policies.
Maintain and expand the amount of open/community space at the airport that is available to citizens. The airport will seek to maximize landscaping including new trees, to serve as a buffer from the residential areas and the commercial developments.
- Community Development & Public Participation
Jointly fund economic development projects with adjacent cities and take part in community business development committees. Serve on boards and commissions and contribute volunteers to community events. Provide funding for community non-profits and alert the airport community and build cooperative working relationships on issues of mutual concern.
The airport staff is developing a body of information on the sustainability topics. Airport staff will continue to monitor new developments, research, innovations and legislation regarding sustainability topics in order to provide updates to the Airport Sustainability Plan.
The airport will provide to our tenants, employees, and the community, information regarding recycling, energy and water conservation, proper procedures with regard to urban runoff and hazardous materials. In addition, the airport staff will develop and distribute best management practices for the airport community.
Best Management Practices
These guidelines for best office practices have been used by the airport staff team in order to achieve quick and measurable benefits in environmental quality and energy savings. Our goal is to minimize environmental impacts and improve our community in a manner that is environmentally friendly. The following best management practices are being widely shared and implemented.
- Eliminate disposable cups in the office
- Eliminate disposable flatware and dinnerware
- Shut off lights when office is not occupied
- Consider converting the printed piece into electronic version
- Print double sided, and “Think before you ink”.
- Set thermostat set at 78 degrees in the summer
- Set thermostat at 72 degrees in the winter
- Ventilate hangars when appropriate
- Participate in waste recycling program
- Participate in paper reduction and recycling schemes
- Buy recycled products when optional
- Use water bottles for office guests only
- Consider environmental impact when purchasing equipment
- Look for ways to save resources, time and energy
- Determine if re-use practical and encouraged
- Choose local vendors; save on gas and mailing
- Promote business with environmentally responsible companies
- Form a “Green Team” within your organization