AIRPORT OPERATING NORMALLY
El Aeropuerto El Dorado connects with its neighbors, consolidating employability initiatives, solar panel systems in schools, and parks made from recycled plastic.
● The airport reinforces its commitment to the neighboring neighborhoods by sharing its best sustainability practices. El Dorado utilizes 80% of its waste, relies on 100% renewable energy from solar panels and other projects, and harnesses 100% of the rainwater that falls on the terminal roof.
● The airport has installed 2 solar panel systems and 6 rainwater collection systems in the communities of Fontibón, Engativá, and Funza. Additionally, it encouraged residents to collect 4 tons of plastic waste, which were transformed into 3 playgrounds made from plastic wood.
● As part of its education enhancement efforts, El Dorado has granted nearly 600 scholarships per year for English and robotics through the Social Educational Alliance Foundation ("FASE"), aiming to strengthen the skills of children from district schools in the surrounding area.
● Furthermore, the airport has awarded 4 university scholarships covering all educational expenses and a maintenance bonus through the Grupo Argos Foundation to young neighbors who have demonstrated a commitment to education.
Bogotá, August 15, 2023. As part of Aeropuerto El Dorado's commitment to establish closer connections with its neighboring communities in Fontibón, Engativá, and Funza, the airport currently has various projects aimed at promoting sustainable management in the neighborhoods adjacent to its operations and creating opportunities. These projects involve the installation of solar panels, rainwater collection systems, the utilization of waste to promote recycling in circular economy programs, and the operation of an exclusive employability portal for local residents.
Currently, El Dorado boasts outstanding indicators in these areas, utilizing 80% of its waste, relying on 100% renewable energy from solar panels and other projects, and harnessing 100% of the rainwater that falls on the terminal roof. For this reason, El Dorado, in collaboration with its neighbors, aims to transmit the airport's best practices to the communities of Engativá, Fontibón, and Funza to promote their sustainable development and social well-being, thanks to the implementation of the technologies used at the airport for this purpose.
In terms of social and environmental management, the highlighted projects include:
- Opportunity Track: It is the first employability portal in the aviation sector. It operates as an exclusive platform with job postings from more than 45 companies operating within the airport. At least 2000 people have been referred to various job offers, and a total of 77 people from the neighboring communities have been hired to work at the airport.
- Plastic for Smiles: A program that incentivized the collection of over 4 tons of single-use plastic in each of the localities. The collected material was transformed into plastic wood for the construction of 3 playgrounds delivered to the community.
- Solar Panel Systems: 2 systems of 12 solar panels each were installed in district academic institutions in Engativá and Fontibón, resulting in monthly energy savings ranging from 11% to 15%. Each system prevents the emission of 4 tons of CO2 per year. These solar panels are a set of panels installed on the roof of each educational institution that, through the photovoltaic effect, convert sunlight into electrical energy, generating approximately 537 kWh per month, equivalent to fully charging about 47,750 mobile phones.
- Ecomuro Systems: 5 ecomuro systems were installed for rainwater collection, allowing for the use of more than 7500 liters of rainwater per month in these community settings, including community halls and local government offices. With these walls, the neighboring communities can recycle rainwater for floor cleaning, garden irrigation, toilets, animal feeding, and gardening.
"With these initiatives, we aim to connect with our neighbors through environmental protection, teaching best practices, creating job opportunities, and leading actions in circular economy, energy savings, water conservation. Through each project, we are innovating socially to contribute to their well-being and development and strengthening environmental care," stated Gigliola Valero, Director of Communications and Corporate Relations at Opain.
In this way, the El Dorado International Airport will continue working to lead various projects related to energy, emissions reduction, water conservation, waste utilization, and biodiversity conservation, ensuring environmental protection and promoting a stronger connection between communities and a sustainable future for future generations.
For more information:
Natalia Pinto - External Communications Coordinator at OPAIN
Cell: 3194207049
Eduardo Andrade - Modum Consultant
Cell: 3102808786
