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RIC Gains Certification as a Virginia Green Travel Partner

Sep 16, 2015

Richmond International Airport, VA (September 16, 2015)

SUSTAINABILITY EFFORTS – INCLUDING RECENT ADDITION OF RECYCLING PROGRAM IN THE PASSENGER TERMINAL – LEADS TO RECOGNITION BY THE VIRGINIA GREEN TRAVEL ALLIANCE

Richmond International Airport (RIC) today received certification as a Virginia Green Travel Partner, joining more than 275 hotels, restaurants, and attractions certified by the Virginia Green Travel Alliance.

“We are incredibly excited to have Richmond International Airport as a certified Virginia Green Travel Partner,” said Tom Griffin, director of the Virginia Green Travel Alliance. “To qualify for the certification, RIC has made major commitments and progress in the reduction of energy and water use and in the amount of waste generated through recycling.  They’ve initiated a wide array of projects over the past few years to make their facility more efficient and sustainable.”

“The airport has adopted cost-neutral or low-cost programs over the last 15 years to promote environmental sustainability and resource conservation,” said Jon E. Mathiasen, AAE, president and CEO of the Capital Region Airport Commission. “We are proud to support Green Tourism in the Richmond Region.”

Examples of On-Going Sustainability Measures at RIC:

  • The recent introduction of 56 recycling containers in and around the public areas of the terminal complex to encourage traveler participation.
  • Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) EasyPark parking shuttles have been in use at RIC since 2013, replacing aging diesels. The shuttles have been estimated to eliminate more than 20 tons of tailpipe emissions each year and effectively reduce ambient noise in the vicinity of the terminal. The airport will operate a 100 percent CNG-powered shuttle fleet by early 2016.
  • CNG usage at RIC was supported by Federal Highway Administration Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) grant funds.
  • The airport built and maintains a 246-acre wetlands facility in nearby New Kent County to serve as compensatory mitigation for airport development projects.
  • An airport-constructed Storm Water Management Facility on Beulah Road benefits RIC and nearby areas of Eastern Henrico County by reducing sediment runoff to the White Oak Swamp Creek, a tributary of the James River.
  • A lighting fixture replacement project in baggage make-up areas, TSA screening rooms, and the airport’s Central Plant replacing approximately 232 older fixtures with four-lamp T5 lighting fixtures resulted in the savings of more than 270,000 kilowatt hours per year, plus the added benefit of reducing landfill waste.
  • Conveyor systems for baggage handling have been retrofitted with energy-efficient motors, yielding energy savings of 10-15 percent per year.
  • The airport has replaced light-duty maintenance vehicles with electric carts for use in airport grounds and landscaping applications.
  • With new construction projects, the airport improves its green space with the introduction of attractive and low-maintenance landscaping concepts, with the Airport Drive expansion project serving as a recent example.
  • Implementation of setbacks and a permanent 150’ buffers with the construction of a new east side access road to reduce potential noise impact to surrounding properties.
  • Wide use of building management, mechanical, and lighting monitor systems and controls in the terminal and the airport-owned Massey building.
  • Active use of energy management systems to ensure optimal operation of all HVAC equipment, minimize run rates and prevent over cooling and overheating in public spaces.
  • Use of CO2 monitoring to reduce outside air requirements for the terminal building, nighttime setbacks for facility HVAC and lighting systems, and photocells for outdoor lighting.
  • Major custodial supply items (such as hand cleaners, paper products, and floor cleaning products) are Green Seal certified.
  • Sensors on every urinal, toilet, and sink trigger auto flush/start/stop use and contribute to water conservation in public areas of the terminal.
  • Energy-efficient glass is used in the atrium, both concourses, and the ticketing hall.
  • Installation of energy-efficient white thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) membrane roofing to reflect heat and cools roofs.
  • Changeover to LED lights on major runways and taxiways has reduced energy consumption and provided improved lighting conditions on the airfield.
  • Use of a glycol recovery sweeper to eliminate deicing fluid runoff during snow events.
  • The automotive maintenance shop’s conservation practices include collection of used oils, antifreeze, and metals for third-party recyclers, use of low-CFC sprays for cleaning (brakes and carburetors), and installation of new energy-efficient lighting systems in work areas.
  • Airline timetables are now “digital only” as RIC discontinued printing 50,000 booklets per year.
  • An airside recycling program, originally championed by JetBlue, will be assumed by the airport and offered to all airline tenants.

Supporting Resources

About Virginia Green

Virginia Green, a partnership among the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, the Virginia Tourism Corporation, and the Virginia Hospitality and Tourism Association, is a statewide program that works to reduce the environmental impacts of Virginia’s tourism industry. For more information, please visit: http://www.deq.virginia.gov/Programs/PollutionPrevention/VirginiaGreen.aspx.

About Richmond International Airport (RIC)

Richmond International Airport (RIC) is one of the most modern and well-equipped airports in the eastern United States for commercial, corporate, and general aviation aircraft. Scheduled service from RIC offers nonstop flights to major domestic destinations and connecting options to points around the globe. Accommodating more than 3.4 million passengers annually, RIC has been recognized by the Air Transport Research Society (ATRS) as one of the most efficient airport in North America.  For more information, please visit www.flyrichmond.com.

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Contact Information
Troy M. Bell, C.M.
Director – Marketing & Air Service Development
Richmond International Airport
(804) 226-3022
tbell@flyrichmond.com

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