Metro Airport replaces trash cans with state-of-the-art recycling machines

Thursday, July 15, 2010 | Source: Metromode

Recycling containers are a long time in coming for Detroit Metro Airport's McNamara Terminal, as the facility now offers divided waste bins to collect recyclable plastic bottles, metal cans, and paper separate from other trash.

Scott Wintner, public affairs manager for Wayne County Airport Authority, says the recycling bins were first launched when the North Terminal was built in 2008, and it's always been the desire of the authority and Delta Airlines, which has a hub in McNamara, to place them in that terminal as well. The logistics of the program took some time because of security precautions, according to Wintner.

"I think it's the right thing to do for the environment," he says. "It's responsible, and I think our customers also think it's responsible. We're glad to be able to provide that opportunity to our customers."

The 70,000 travelers who pass through McNamara each day will see 19 new bins, the contents of which are taken to dedicated recycling dumpsters and then a recycling center. Nearly 7,080 tons of trash were removed from the McNamara Terminal in 2009.

As the program started on the first of this month, it's too early to gauge any success. Wintner does know, however, that people have been pleased to see the program in North Terminal.

"People just sort of expect (recycling programs)," he says. "Everywhere you go now, it seems to be the norm."

Delta has been running an in-flight recycling program since 2007. Metro Airport has also participated in a number of other environmentally friendly projects, including being a world leader of recycling aircraft de-icing fluid, which also prevents it from being washed into local waterways; installing wind spires, like mini-turbines, to help offset some of the airport's energy use; recycling cooking grease into B-100 biofuel; and replacing the incandescent airfield lights with LEDs, which have already yielded financial savings.

Source: Scott Wintner, public affairs manager for Wayne County Airport Authority
Writer: Kristin Lukowski