2019
Environmental Section Summary Report
Solid and Hazardous Waste Management
Recycling efforts at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport diverted over 350,000 pounds of solid waste from going into the Anchorage Regional Landfill. By recycling these materials, ANC saved the State of Alaska over $12,000.00 in tipping fees at the landfill.
Airport operations produced tens of thousands of pounds of recyclable products such as batteries, scrap metals, reclaimed/reground asphalt, concrete and aggregates, used oil, printer/toner cartridges, electronics and other materials. These items which would have once ended up in the landfill, are now beneficially reused through recycling. Here is a breakdown of weights for those materials:
| Recycled batteries | 10,220 lbs. |
| Scrap Metal | 72,400 lbs. |
| Toner/Printer Cartridges | 200 ea. (194) |
| Electronic Waste | 4,048 lbs. |
| Mixed paper/newspaper | 10,000 lbs |
| Cardboard | 200,000 lbs. |
| Antifreeze | 2,070 lbs. (250 gallons) |
| Used oil | 25,000 lbs. (3115 gallons) |
| Public area recycling | 2,000 lbs. |
During 2019 waste minimization efforts resulted in the airport generating less than 500 pounds of hazardous waste. Recycling, product substitution to reduce hazardous chemicals and training airport staff on proper identification, handling, and disposal of hazardous and solid waste has contributed greatly to the airport reducing the amount of hazardous materials that is used and disposed of as hazardous waste by the airport.
Pollution Prevention & Spill Response
26 spills totaling ≈230 gallons were reported to the Environmental Section at ANC. Most of the spills were small accidental releases. Hydraulic fluid and other petroleum oils account for ≈60 gallons, fuels (Jet A, diesel, gasoline) spilled totaled ≈80 gallons, accidental glycol releases (ethylene and propylene) totaled ≈ 65 gallons and other miscellaneous materials make up the total. The majority of the spills were onto paved surfaces where they had minimal environmental impacts and spill response was immediate in most cases which prevented any contaminates from reaching sensitive environments.
To further prevent any contamination from entering Cook Inlet or Lakes Hood and Spenard ANC operates three “watershed protection stations” that are designed to capture and recover petroleum contaminates from storm water discharges. The spill stations contain floating weirs and oil skimmers to recover any oil accumulated behind the weir. In addition to the spill stations, ANC places absorbent booms at all outfalls where storm water daylights from underground piping into an open waterbody or channel as a precautionary measure in case a spill does make it to a storm drain or drainage ditch.
Contaminated Site Investigation and Remediation
The ANC Environmental staff works closely with ANC tenants and the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC) to address and resolve issues related to contaminated sites on airport property. Because the airport area has been one of Alaska’s primary industrial hubs since the early 1950’s, many of the contaminated sites at ANC are the result of once accepted industrial practices that were later found to be detrimental to the environment.
The number of contaminated sites on ANC property has steadily declined in the past decade as the parties responsible for pollution of these sites clean-up the contamination to meet standards set forth by ADEC.
During 2019 the Airport Environmental Section began addressing the issue of PFAS/PFOS contamination at the airport. The PFAS/PFOS compounds are found in the fire fighting foam that is used by our Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting crews to combat flammable liquid fires (jet fuel) and for training purposes. We began this process by collecting samples from areas known to be near where the fire fighting foam was used. This preliminary information will be used to guide subsequent sampling events that will help delineate the extent of PFAS contamination within the airport boundaries. This is an ongoing investigative process which is being completed by the Alaska Department of Transportation at airports throughout Alaska.
Environmental/Health & Safety Training
ANC employees received training sessions related to Environmental Protection and employee health and safety in 2019.
Training was offered on topics such as:
- Pollution Prevention & Energy Conservation
- Spill Response, Control & Containment
- Recycling & Waste Minimization
- Hazardous Waste Management & Operations (HAZWOPER)
- Hazard Communication Standard (OSHA required)
- 1st Responder Emergency Response (OSHA required)
This training provides ANC employees with the knowledge base to recognize workplace hazards, protect themselves and others, report incidents or accidents, and to work safely and productively. In addition to training provided by the Environmental Section, other ANC departments provide classes within their sections to meet OSHA requirements and provide employees with training relevant to their jobs.
Energy Conservation
Over the last several years ANC has been implementing measures to reduce the energy consumption at all airport facilities. Improvements and upgrades to heating, cooling and electrical lighting systems combined with operational efficiencies have reduced the electrical and natural gas consumption and are expected to save the State of Alaska thousands of dollars.
Some of these ongoing measures such as replacing older lighting fixtures and lamps with LED bulbs will continue to reduce our environmental footprint and energy costs. Most of the airfield lighting (centerline lights, edge lights, etc.) has been converted to LED. Replacing older incandescent and fluorescent lighting within the terminal buildings and other state buildings at the airport are part of a continuing effort.
Air Quality
Under the Clean Air Act (CAA), ANC must comply with regulations related to air emissions. To meet these compliance requirements ANC collects and maintains data on all stationary equipment that may emit regulated air pollutants. This is mainly combustion equipment such as boilers, water heaters, unit heaters, etc. that burn diesel or natural gas as fuel. The emissions from this equipment are calculated based on the run time of the equipment, the volume and type of fuel burned as well as the technical data provided by the equipment manufacturer.
During 2019 air emissions from the airport were once again well below the limits allowed under our Air Quality permit issued by ADEC.
Water Quality
Ensuring the quality of the water bodies around ANC is one of the main goals of the ANC Environmental Section. To make sure operations do not degrade these waters ANC has a comprehensive Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) that contains Best Management Practices (BMPs). These BMPs address various types of facility activities that can lead to water pollution and provide requirements and recommendations to minimize the impacts from those activities.
One of the primary activities that contribute to water pollution at airports around the country is the use of glycol-based aircraft deicing fluids (ADF). Airline operators typically use two types of ADF, propylene glycol and ethylene glycol, which are applied to aircraft to ensure the safety of the traveling public (these operators maintain their own SWPPP and BMPs). Glycol left alone to decompose in the environment would become carbon dioxide and water. However, glycols can adversely influence water quality primarily by reducing the available oxygen for aquatic life.
The average amount of deicing fluids used at ANC has been relatively consistent over the last several years but the yearly amount varies according to the amount of snow or icing events during the winter. During the 2018-2019 reporting period (September-August) airlines and ground service providers operating at ANC reported that they had applied 693,192 gallons of ADF to aircraft (99.9% propylene glycol and 0.1% ethylene glycol).
ANC and its tenants continue to make strides to reduce the environmental impact of ADF and incorporate BMPs in order to do so. At the beginning of the deicing season for 2017 (August 2017) all appliers of ADF that typically use greater than 30,000 gallons of fluid were to utilize equipment that has ADF reduction tools such as forced air, proportional mix nozzles and, low flow nozzles. These reduction tools reduce the amount of time it takes to de-ice aircraft and uses less glycol, which saves the airline operator’s money.
A new storm water discharge permit was issued to cover ANC and others who operate at ANC (Co-Permittees). In the new permit a compliance schedule was included to address the foaming issue previously identified by ADEC as a compliance issue. Also, during the past year, and in concurrence with the issuance of a new discharge permit, ANC entered into a Compliance Order by Consent with ADEC.
At ANC snow from the airside, where deicing activities occur, is “dirty snow” (snow potentially mixed with ADF) and snow from parking lots, roadways, etc., is “clean snow”. The “dirty” and “clean” snow is placed in designated snow dumps so that meltwater does not enter Lakes Hood and Spenard and in areas where some biological treatment can occur prior to discharge into the storm water drainage system for ANC.
The water quality in Lakes Hood and Spenard continue to improve; for the past seven years, dissolved oxygen levels have met water quality standards. ANC is in the process of acquiring a permit to apply herbicide to Lakes Hood and Spenard for the safety of the flying public by reducing the amount of weeds which can impair floatplane mobility.
If you have any questions regarding this information please contact me at 266-2129.
Scott Lytle, Airport Environmental Manager
