This morning, April 22, 2019, the Orlando International Airport (MCO) hosted its sixth annual Earth Day celebration, giving the flying public and general airport guests a chance to learn about sustainability efforts around Central Florida and at the airport.
The complimentary event featured more than 30 vendors such as The City of Orlando Green Works, Orange County Solid Waste Division and Orlando Utilities Commission.
“As the operators of an economic engine in Central Florida and the busiest airport in the state, it is critical for the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority to be committed to making environmentally-responsible decisions and doing what we can to take care of our Earth. Hosting an Earth Day celebration gives us the opportunity to educate travelers on those efforts and how they can be better citizens in their everyday lives, too.”
This morning’s event featured Earth Day trivia with Curtis Earth and educational exhibits from airport business partners, who highlighted their corporate sustainability programs. The airport has a variety of green initiatives led by the Green Team in support of its Sustainability Management Plan:
- Water Conservation – The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) has reduced its water usage by 22.6 percent since 2010, exceeding an initial goal of a 10 percent decrease.
- Energy Efficiency – Since 2010, GOAA has reduced its Energy Use Intensity by 9.9 percent.
- Recycling – In 2017, MCO diverted more than 2,614 tons of waste from local landfills.
- Sustainable Purchasing – The Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Pledge encourages all airport departments, vendors and service partners to incorporate environmental considerations into their purchasing practices.
Orlando International Airport has a long history of managing its operations in an environmentally-responsible manner.
