The Indianapolis Airport Authority (IAA) is actively supporting environmental sustainability efforts as a member of the global aviation community. The IAA is “committed to engaging in environmentally responsible, sustainable operations, and minimizing any adverse environmental impacts.”
This progressive group has identified three main areas of management that they take into consideration in regard to decision-making for the airports they serve: Environmental Management, Conservation Management, and Wildlife Management.
Indianapolis Airport’s Environmental Management & Conservation
In addition to these, the IAA has published several standards that they determine as vital to the success of their efforts. In all aspects of its airport management and operations, IAA strives to:
- Encourage and apply sustainable development principles in planning, designing, building, operating, decommissioning facilities and services, and in managing airport properties. Minimize the use of environmentally sensitive materials.
- Implement efforts to reduce waste; recycle, conserve energy, and pursue alternative energy sources.
- Comply with all local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and permitting processes controlling airport noise, water and air quality, fuel storage, waste disposal, and wildlife management, regularly assessing performance to achieve the highest standards.
- Clearly and consistently communicate environmental policies to stakeholders.
- Respond to the environmental concerns of personnel, passengers, business partners, local homeowners, and the general public.
- Encourage employee involvement in meeting environmental standards, providing appropriate training on the latest environmental advancements, and serving as a catalyst for the adoption and integration of new technologies into airport operations.
- Monitor proposed and pending regulation and legislation, partnering with appropriate professional associations, community groups, and academic institutions
- Conduct and engage in environmental education and outreach efforts targeting airport personnel, members of the general public, students of all ages, and community groups.”
Source: http://business.ind.com/information_news/environmentalManagement.aspx
Indianapolis Airport Installs SmartPacks with Wireless Monitoring
To meet these environmental goals, the IAA has partnered with Harmony Enterprises, Inc. in their modern Indianapolis International Airport. The airport installed six of Harmony’s innovative SmartPack-SP20 machines with their Insite wireless monitoring system. They are located in the food court and concourse areas of their modern facility. These machines have a modern look while incorporating clean lines and stainless steel exterior. The Harmony SmartPacks not only provide an aesthetically appealing look to the area, they also generate a great deal of savings for the Airport and its custodial staff.
The Harmony SmartPack Model SP-20 is an “intuitive” trash compactor that is ideal for public use situations such as the airport. They are also ideal for use in fast food restaurants, hotels, schools, amusement parks, and shopping malls. They hold 8-12 thirty-gallon trash bags and have an automatic opening door. This eliminates the possibility of any overflowing of the trash bin. As an added-value bonus, they have a “no handling system” to remove trash. This allows for sanitary and efficient removal of the trash bin for employees. Most importantly, the Harmony SmartPacks help save on labor, hauling, and trash liners!
Saving Money, Improving Aesthetics in Airport
With the new Harmony trash compactors, the airport has reduced its emptying of their receptacles by 1/7 times their previous rate, thus saving both time and money. The compaction system allows the area of the units to remain clean and sanitary, providing a pleasant experience for travelers in the airport. The internal Insite wireless monitoring system lets their staff know exactly when and where the containers are almost full, full, or need maintenance making trash related tasks a “just in time” needed thus saving man hours.
How the Insite Wireless Monitoring System Works
The Insite wireless monitoring system located inside the compactor connects to a computer or smartphone in real-time. It contains a notification system that automatically alerts the facility’s Waste Manager with an email or SMS text message when the trash bin is approaching full, so that trash related tasks can be completed on demand. In cases where the frequency of waste generation is variable or slower, the wireless monitoring will save time, eliminate unnecessary work, and ultimately, save labor costs! The Waste Manager can also manage all of the data collected from the machines on a website portal that indicates when containers are almost full, full, or if there is necessary maintenance required.
Improving the Customer Experience at the Busy Airport
Todd Walker, Assistant Terminal Service Manager for the Indianapolis Airport Authority, states, “While the Airlines are again moving more aggressively to the Midwest to access our customer base within the region, we have seen an increase in customer traffic which will benefit tremendously with the use of the new compactors. Another benefit that we are looking forward to is more time to interact and handle any customer service questions that may arise.”
About the Indianapolis Airport – IND
The Indianapolis Airport Authority owns and operates Indiana’s largest airport system. In addition to the Indianapolis International Airport, its facilities include the Downtown Heliport, Eagle Creek Airpark, Hendricks County Airport, Indianapolis Regional Airport and Metropolitan Airport. IND has received numerous prestigious awards recognizing it as a leader within its class, including best airport in North America in 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 in Airports Council International’s annual Airport Service Quality awards. It has also been inducted into the ACI Director General’s Roll of Excellence, one of the few U.S. airports to be included in this elite group of worldwide airports. Condé Nast Traveler readers named IND the best airport in America in 2014 and 2015. IND is the first airport in the U.S. to win LEED® certification for an entire terminal campus. LEED is a green- building award for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. IND has won additional recognition for excellent customer service, concessions programs, and art and architecture.
IND generates an annual economic impact in Central Indiana of more than $4.5 billion without relying on state or local taxes to fund its operations. About 10,000 people work at the airport each day. IND serves more than 8 million business and leisure travelers each year and averages 143 daily flights, seasonally and year-round, to 43 nonstop destinations. Home of the world’s second-largest FedEx Express operation and the nation’s eighth- largest cargo facility, IND is committed to becoming the airport system of choice for both passenger and cargo service. For more information, visit IND’s Facebook page at Indianapolis International Airport and Twitter page at @INDairport.
About Harmony Enterprises, Inc.
Harmony Enterprises, Inc. can offer solutions to all of your recycling and waste management needs: trash compactors and balers with Insite wireless monitoring, full product destruction equipment, solar energy options, and more. We also provide industry leading customer service and warranty options as part of a total global solutions approach. We care about the environment and are always working toward making the earth a greener, more sustainable place for generations to come. If you are interested in learning more about our waste management and recycling products, please contact us here or call us at (507) 886-6666.
