quality mgmt

MGMT

-

6087

Quality Management

-

SCM

CASE

Module

07

Case

3

-

2

–

Denver International Airport

:

Becomes ISO 14001 Certified

Denver International Airport (DIA) aims to become a world

-

class airport by emphasizing

service, on

-

time flights, and caring for the environment. Addressing environmental issues

may be a new approach for an airport, but it has paid off for DIA. In 2005, it

became the

first international airport in the United States to be ISO 14001 (environmental

management system, or EMS) registered. DIA

did not set out to become certi

fied; it simply

wanted a structure to handle environ­ mental issues. ISO 14001 provided gui

delines for

establishing an EMS. With the amount of effort put into complying with the standards, the

next logical step was to become certified.

There are more benefits to ISO 14001 certification than the credibility and additional

transparency DIA has re

ceived. DIA has a structured and EMS pro­ gram that allows it to

do more with less. Processes are documented outlining employees' duties. The

employees receive training and understand what is expected of them from an EMS

compliance standpoint. DIA has been

able to influence the environmental actions of

others. Impressed by DIA:s accomplishments, the city and county of Denver have

established environmental pro­ grams for all their departments. DIA is working with other

international airports to establish sus

tainability guidelines for the world's airports.

DIA's environmental initiatives have achieved quantitative and monetary results. The

goals and results are highlighted in DIA's annual reports. Following is a list of some

accomplishments:

•

$1.7 million in

savings by recycling aircraft de

-

icing fluid (ADF)

•

$160,000 in savings from decreases in gasoline and diesel usage

•

Over $2.1 million saved between 2007 and 2008

•

1,432 tons of solid waste (1

1.15% of total) gener

ated in 2008 recycled

•

Hazardous solid wastes

reduced from 20,000 pounds to 3,760 pounds in just

one year

ISO 14001 certification is not the end result for DIA. Environmental management is now

incorporated into the airport's st

rategic plann

ing process. The requirements and structure

of

ISO registratio

n motivate DIA to be aggressive in setting new initiatives and goals. The

organization wants to be proactive to stay ahead of environmental regulation. DIA's

environmental impact extends beyond the company as it is involved in community

outreach pro­ grams

and participates as a member of various environmental

MGMT-6087

Quality Management - SCM

CASE

Module 07

Case 3-2 – Denver International Airport:

Becomes ISO 14001 Certified

Denver International Airport (DIA) aims to become a world-class airport by emphasizing

service, on-time flights, and caring for the environment. Addressing environmental issues

may be a new approach for an airport, but it has paid off for DIA. In 2005, it became the

first international airport in the United States to be ISO 14001 (environmental

management system, or EMS) registered. DIA did not set out to become certified; it simply

wanted a structure to handle environ­ mental issues. ISO 14001 provided guidelines for

establishing an EMS. With the amount of effort put into complying with the standards, the

next logical step was to become certified.

There are more benefits to ISO 14001 certification than the credibility and additional

transparency DIA has received. DIA has a structured and EMS pro­ gram that allows it to

do more with less. Processes are documented outlining employees' duties. The

employees receive training and understand what is expected of them from an EMS

compliance standpoint. DIA has been able to influence the environmental actions of

others. Impressed by DIA:s accomplishments, the city and county of Denver have

established environmental pro­ grams for all their departments. DIA is working with other

international airports to establish sustainability guidelines for the world's airports.

DIA's environmental initiatives have achieved quantitative and monetary results. The

goals and results are highlighted in DIA's annual reports. Following is a list of some

accomplishments:

• $1.7 million in savings by recycling aircraft de-icing fluid (ADF)

• $160,000 in savings from decreases in gasoline and diesel usage

• Over $2.1 million saved between 2007 and 2008

• 1,432 tons of solid waste (11.15% of total) generated in 2008 recycled

• Hazardous solid wastes reduced from 20,000 pounds to 3,760 pounds in just

one year

ISO 14001 certification is not the end result for DIA. Environmental management is now

incorporated into the airport's strategic planning process. The requirements and structure

of ISO registration motivate DIA to be aggressive in setting new initiatives and goals. The

organization wants to be proactive to stay ahead of environmental regulation. DIA's

environmental impact extends beyond the company as it is involved in community

outreach pro­ grams and participates as a member of various environmental