The San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is leading the effort to make air travel greener. Here are five things SFO is doing for a sustainable air travel experience:
1. SFO has set a goal to be the first airport in the world to achieve “triple zero” for sustainability.
SFO’s goal is to be the first airport in the world to attain zero carbon emissions, zero waste going into landfill, and zero net energy (unless it comes from renewable sources). This bold goal is driving a wide variety of initiatives and has established SFO as an industry leader in airport sustainability.
2. SFO leads the world in the use of a new type of jet fuel that reduces emissions.
Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) is jet fuel made from renewable materials, such as waste biomass or food scraps, with emissions 80% lower than conventional jet fuel. Since 2018, SFO has been working with airlines and fuel suppliers to advance the use of SAF, and now leads the world in SAF deliveries with six million gallons delivered in the past fiscal year, a figure expected to double this year.
3. SFO is on its way to becoming the world’s first plastic-free airport.
SFO was the first airport in the world to prohibit the sale of beverages in plastic packaging and is moving towards reusable dishware and fiber-based disposable foodware to simplify sorting for composting and recycling and to reduce waste going to landfill.
4. SFO’s facilities continue to achieve “firsts” for sustainability.
SFO’s facilities have been the first in the nation, or the world, to be certified for their sustainable design and operation. In 2022, SFO became the first in the world to earn airport-wide certification at the Platinum level under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program. Harvey Milk Terminal 1 is also the first in the world to receive FitWel and WELL certification for the health of passengers and employees who use the facility.
5. SFO launched a food donation program to reduce waste from airport restaurants.
To prevent food waste going into landfill, the Airport launched the “SFO Unites Against Hunger” food donation program in 2017. Participating restaurants who have excess food that is near or past the sell by date, but is still consumable, deliver the food to one of the Airport’s food donation hubs. In 2022, SFO donated over 10,000 pounds of food, which is equivalent to 8,000 meals.
