Highlights of the O'Hare Modernization Program's (OMP) sustainable initiatives include:

 

• The creation in 2003 of a nationally-recognized Sustainable Design Manual (SDM) that allows O’Hare to evolve as the benchmark for environmental stewardship in design and construction for a civil project, with standards based on the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.

• Development of a “Green Airplane” rating system to track compliance with the SDM, awarding projects anywhere from 1 – 5 “Green Airplanes” based on their ability to incorporate sustainable initiatives.

• Upgrading the SDM to a new Sustainable Airport Manual (SAM) in 2009 by incorporating best practices, new technologies and lessons learned from six years of design and construction on the OMP as well as a compilation of recommendations and expertise of airport executives, environmentalists, and industry leaders. This manual is intended to be a living document and will continue to evolve as future technologies and innovations are identified.

• Implementation of a balanced earthwork plan to manage excess materials and keep soil on-site, saving more than $120 million in program costs. In addition to the cost savings, the balanced earthwork and material reuse program has resulted in the preservation of natural resources, reduction in vehicle miles traveled and emissions, and over 70,000 tons less CO2 produced.

• Building green roofs on our Airfield Lighting Control Vault, the canopy of the relocated Guard Post 1 and the base building of our new North Air Traffic Control Tower.

• Replacing 154 acres of low quality, inaccessible wetlands currently on Airport property with nearly 450 acres of higher quality wetlands, providing a more natural environment for birds and wildlife, and creating new passive recreation space in neighboring communities.

• Requiring the use of Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel Fuel (ULSD) for on- and off-road construction vehicles greater than 50 hp. This requirement is included in every OMP construction contract, and was put in place five years ahead of the federal government’s mandate.

• Equipping all but the newest construction vehicles with oxidation catalysts for cleaner emissions

• Recovering 95 percent of all construction-demolition materials (concrete, asphalt, dirt), and reusing them on-site, thereby diverting them from landfills.

• Mandating that trucks conveying materials leave the site covered; utilizing materials from within 500 miles of job site; and restricting idling of construction vehicles

 

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The Greening of O'Hare and Midway Airports

 

In addition to the green efforts of the OMP, the Department of Aviation (CDA) has implemented a number of sustainable initiatives at O’Hare and Midway International Airports, including:

• Integrating clean ULSD-fuel vehicles into airport ground transportation, snow removal and maintenance vehicle fleet.

• Replacing incandescent bulbs at O'Hare with energy-saving LED and solar-powered LED lights on the airfield and throughout the airport’s facilities.

• Stringent recycling guidelines for CDA custodians, contractors and concessionaires.

• Installation of water recycling containers at airport security checkpoints, which allow passengers to empty liquids without having to throw away the containers, reducing the liquid weight entering the airports’ compactors and collecting gray water that is reused for watering airport landscaping and other purposes.

• Incorporating sustainability in airport restaurants' daily operations, from recycling cooking oils and packaging to using energy efficient equipment.

• Adapting and adjusting O'Hare plumbing fixtures, resulting in more than 60 percent savings on water consumption since 2005.

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• The use of Green Seal certified cleaning products and elimimating the use of aerosol sprays to clean and disinfect airport facilities.

• Working closely with paint manufacturers to switch all interior paint to water-based volatile organic compound- (VOC) free material.

 

Source: City of Chicago. Department of Aviation. February, 2010.

 

Visitor Tips

 

There are many ways visitors can help Chicago become even more of a Green city. We offer five simple tips that anyone can use to reduce their impact on the environment, and five Green things to do while having fun in Chicago.