AIRPORT OPERATING NORMALLY
On Recycling Day, Discover the Top 5 Initiatives Implemented by El Dorado Airport
- El Dorado Airport highlights five initiatives to reduce its environmental footprint and promote eco-friendly practices, from using nearly 80% of the waste generated at the airport to encouraging waste segregation.
- The implementation of new smart bins facilitates waste sorting within the terminal.
Bogota, May 17, 2024. El Dorado Airport joins the celebration of World Recycling Day by sharing five initiatives that are being implemented to reduce its carbon footprint and promote eco-friendly practices within its facilities and surroundings. From using 80% of the waste generated at the terminal to promoting waste segregation, these actions reflect the airport's commitment to a greener and more conscious future.
1. Smart Bins
El Dorado Airport has implemented 10 smart bin stations (4 large and 6 small) as part of its efforts to promote proper waste sorting. These bins feature different colored codes to allow for the separation of more materials. The smart eco-points function by scanning the barcode on the packaging to be disposed of, turning on a specific color indicating where the waste should be deposited. This initiative not only promotes proper waste sorting but also educates and motivates users to adopt more sustainable consumption habits.
2. Recycling in the Airport’s Water Resource Management
In regard to water resource management, El Dorado Airport stands out by its commitment to reducing water consumption as well as recycling and reusing this resource within its facilities. The airport's wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) plays a crucial role by separating solid waste and returning 1.1 million liters of high-quality water annually to the Bogota River. This process allows the discharge of 30 liters of water per second in optimal conditions, thus contributing to the river's decontamination and ecosystem improvement.
Additionally, rainwater from the International Terminal is recovered through the siphonic system and directed to the Rainwater Treatment Plants, which, after adjusting the pH, filtering, and disinfecting the water, it is conducted for use in public restroom toilets and urinals.
3. Paving Taxiways and Airport’s Surrounding Streets with Recycled Plastic
El Dorado Airport accentuates the importance of significant collaborations to improve infrastructure and advance environmental sustainability projects. In partnership with Ecopetrol, taxiways and nearby roads were paved using a mix of asphalt and 415 kg of recycled plastic, equivalent to 245,000 plastic bags, thereby reducing the environmental impact of one of the most polluting and difficult-to-recycle materials.
4. Comprehensive Waste Management
The Waste Sorting and Utilization Station (ECA in Spanish) at El Dorado Airport operates 24/7 in three shifts, processing around 20 tons of waste daily. This system, based on the Entry, Process, Exit (EPS in Spanish) matrix, uses 80% of the waste generated, marking a milestone in the circular economy and reducing the airport's environmental footprint.
5. Parks Made of Recyclable Plastic
El Dorado Airport has implemented a successful recycling initiative called "Plastic for Smiles", which has encouraged residents of neighboring communities to collect single-use plastic waste to be converted into parks in their localities. To date, the airport has delivered three of these parks in the localities of Fontibon, Engativa, and the municipality of Funza. This initiative not only contributes to the reduction of plastic pollution but also promotes healthier and more sustainable environments for children to enjoy.
