Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) employees, partners, and guests gathered in the airport’s Terminal B/C Food court on November 13, for the Department of Aviation’s annual America Recycles Day celebration.
This fun sustainability info fair included local and airport community exhibitors who showcased their programs for reducing, reusing, and recycling.
"We are celebrating our 25 percent recycling diversion rate for 2024,” said Department of Aviation Sustainability Planner and Airport Recycling Manager Melissa McMullen in her welcoming remarks. “Over the last year, we have established a Waste Diversion Committee consisting of representatives from various Department of Aviation teams, MarketPlace PHL, American Airlines, and the TSA. With their feedback and approval, we have evaluated over 70 different strategies to determine those best suited for PHL. The Waste Diversion Plan outlines which strategies the Department of Aviation and our tenant stakeholders should implement over the next five years in order to successfully meet our targeted goals. We are working to reach a 50 percent diversion rate by 2030.” 
Exhibitors included the Department of Aviation Sustainability Team, MarketPlace PHL, AeroAggregates of North America, Bennett Composting, JP Mascaro and the City of Philadelphia Department of Sanitation. Each exhibitor shared creative and practical ideas for reducing waste, from composting food scraps to helping fight food insecurity through recovery programs.
“I am happy that we were able to represent the City of Philadelphia Department of Sanitation at PHL Airport,” said Department of Sanitation Enforcement Supervisor Nicole Macon. “We met employees and passengers who live here in Philadelphia and were able to tell them about the City’s recycling programs and initiatives.”
Adding to the fun atmosphere was an interactive recycle toss game, where guests could win prizes and join in on exciting giveaways. One of the most popular spots of the day was the art workshop, where employees and travelers had an opportunity to make creative pieces out of recycled materials with help from local artist Natalie Kuenzi.
