Member Article

Airport launches green initiatives

Newcastle International Airport will be marking World Environment Day today with a week-long series of initiatives aimed at increasing the environmental awareness of staff and passengers.

The activities kick-off with all employees challenged to leave their cars at home today and travel to work by public transport instead. Staff will be able to redeem bus and metro tickets (or evidence of having cycled to work) for a free bacon sandwich. Later in the week Newcastle International will be having a company-wide ‘Spring Clean’ recycling day to clear the offices of unwanted paper. The airport will be joining forces with Gateshead-based company Riverdale Paper, with all of the waste transported to SCA Recycling in Prudhoe to be turned into toilet paper.

The company will also be offering its staff free home energy surveys, carried out by the Energy Savings Trust. In addition, the Environment Agency has provided special World Environment Day hessian bags, hats, and wallets, which will be given out free to passengers flying out today.

Graeme Mason, head of planning and corporate affairs said: “The airport recognises the importance of World Environment Day and we are keen to demonstrate our commitment to the environment. Indeed the airport will be making a number of significant announcements during 2007 to tackle a range of hugely important environmental issues. This summer, Newcastle International will be launching a ground-breaking climate change policy, which will include the mapping of the airport’s ‘carbon footprint’ and the introduction of a carbon management programme aimed at reducing the airport’s carbon emissions.”

For more information on Newcastle International’s Environment Day plans, visit www.newcastleinternational.co.uk.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .