Unlocking Airport Sustainability: Insights from Airports Going Green Conference

The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) oversees operations at Chicago O’Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport. The CDA also hosts Airports Going Green (AGG), the leading airport sustainability conference that convenes airport environmental managers, aviation stakeholders, and sustainability partners to share airport sustainability insights, emerging priorities, and innovative programs. APTIM has supported the CDA in planning AGG since 2021, helping airports advance sustainable operations and resilience strategies.

Tampa Takes Flight: Advancing Airport Resilience & Sustainability

Tampa International Airport served as the host for this year’s event. Local and regional experts shared airport resilience strategies and approaches to environmental risks, including stronger storm systems and sea levels rising.

In the opening session, Sustainability and Resilience Program Director at Tampa International Airport, Eric Caplan, led speakers from the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council and the City of Tampa, through a discussion that highlighted programs that strengthen airport resilience planning and support long-term sustainable airport operations. Kayla Caselli, Sustainability and Resilience Officer for the City of Tampa stated, “Water does not follow municipal boundaries,” emphasizing the importance of regional collaboration. The Tampa Bay Regional Resiliency Coalition now brings together city and county governments, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, and regional transportation hubs to address shared challenges.

APTIM supports airports, utilities, and commercial clients in building climate resilience, planning for natural disasters, and implementing sustainable operations. Recent work includes climate risk assessment and reporting for Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, demonstrating transferable strategies for airport and aviation operations.

Beyond the Bin: Creative Waste Management Strategies for Airports

Airport waste management presents unique challenges due to the complexity of operations, multiple teams, and tenant activities. To achieve airport waste minimization goals, airports are implementing creative programs that turn former waste streams into usable resources. Morgan Turner from Airport Zero Waste Consulting led a session titled Beyond the Bin.

At Denver International Airport, Sustainability Specialist Alexa Rosenstein’s partnership supports the reuse of furniture and other items through the DEN Surplus Store. Older items are evaluated and approved for donation or disposal. Additional collection programs at DEN recover toiletries, wooden pallets, and children’s equipment, such as car seats and strollers.

Another notable initiative is “Donate, Don’t Discard,” led by the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA). Courtnie Gore and Aprile Pritchet from MWAA explained that passengers sometimes travel with unused or lightly used toiletries that exceed TSA liquid restrictions. Janitorial staff recover these items and transfer them to a warehouse for storage. The MWAA Community Engagement team then inventories and weighs the material before coordinating distribution to local community organizations.

APTIM’s waste minimization team supports airports in complying with emerging waste regulations, including SB1383 in California and extended producer responsibility requirements nationwide. The team also supports operational efficiency through waste assessments and audits and assists organizations in achieving waste minimization and zero-waste goals. One recent example is APTIM’s work to advance sustainability at the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle.

Flight Path to Sustainability: LEED & Certification Programs

This session provided attendees with an overview of airport sustainability frameworks and environmental goals at Raleigh-Durham International Airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, and the New Terminal One at John F. Kennedy International Airport. Each of these airports has major capital programs that will redefine their facilities in the near term, as well as ambitious sustainability objectives to consider. Ben Moore from RS&H led the session titled “Flight Path to Sustainability.”

To ensure airport sustainability considerations are integrated into upcoming development, Dr. Quinta Warren from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport discussed the program at Hartsfield-Jackson that includes policies for carbon, waste, and water; LEED and EV readiness; standards for sustainable development and concessions; and third-party certifications to provide independent verification of sustainability initiatives. The New Terminal One and Raleigh-Durham International Airport identified targets for LEED certification and Envision verification early in their design phases.

APTIM has supported several commercial clients in achieving sustainability certifications at their facilities. These include the LEED and Parksmart certification of the Multi-Modal Facility and the Parksmart certification of the Terminal 5 Garage at Chicago O’Hare International Airport.

APTIM Leads the Way: Driving Airport Sustainability Initiatives into 2026

This year’s conference highlighted the importance of collaboration across multiple stakeholders in the face of rapidly evolving circumstances. Although the language describing sustainability efforts may shift, airports still expect meaningful, positive impacts for their communities and clients.

AGG will return to Chicago in 2026. APTIM looks forward to continuing its support for the conference and partnering with organizations seeking to implement airport sustainability initiatives, airport resilience programs, and airport waste management strategies.

If your airport or organization is planning new initiatives in resilience, decarbonization, waste minimization, or sustainable design, APTIM’s experts are ready to help you move from strategy to implementation. Connect with our team at Sustainability@APTIM.com to begin shaping your path forward and advancing your sustainability goals.

Published December 2025