Airport honored for program to eliminate plastic beverage bottle waste
Airports Council International - North America (ACI-NA), the foremost advocate for airport operators in North America, has honored SFO with its Environmental Management Award for 2021. SFO was recognized for its “Zero Waste Concessions Program,” which sought to curb plastic pollution and emissions by prohibiting the sale of any beverages in plastic packaging.
“Our industry-leading plastic-free policy was a critical step towards our goal to achieve zero waste going into landfill,” said Airport Director Ivar C. Satero. “Taking this bold stance for a plastic-free future required the full engagement and support of all businesses at SFO, and we are grateful for their vision and leadership. We celebrate this recognition from ACI-North America with our entire SFO community.”
In August 2019, SFO became the first airport in the world to prohibit the provision or sale of single-use water bottles in plastic or aseptic paper packaging. In April 2021, SFO expanded the policy to prohibit the sale of any beverages, including sodas, teas, and juices in plastic or aseptic paper packaging. Since the launch of the program, more than 8 million single-use bottles at SFO have been eliminated.
For more information, please visit flysfo.com/environment/zero-waste-plastic-free.
Each year, ACI-NA recognizes airport members for their environmental achievements in four different categories: environmental management; mitigation; outreach, education, and community involvement; and innovation. This is the fourth ACI-NA award that SFO has received for its environmental leadership and its third award in the environmental management category.