​​​The Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is committed to ongoing efforts to enhance its environmentally sensitive approach. The airport is managed by Broward County and the Board of County Commissioners, who are dedicated to the preservation of the beautiful South Florida community.

To learn about these environmental initiatives, see below.

​​Rental Car Center

The Rental Car Center (RCC) is a nine-story building designed to bring, under one roof, nearly all the rental car companies at FLL.

Historically, petroleum-related impacts to the soil and groundwater at airports from leaking fueling facilities or maintenance activities represent a significant source of environmental degradation and liability. As each car rental company duplicates these activities at various sites, the potential for impacts is great over time.

The RCC consolidated the facilities required for maintenance and fueling operations into one state-of-the-art, self-contained, indoor complex. It is managed and maintained by an independent professional fueling contractor. By taking the process inside and ensuring that the systems are managed and maintained, the potential for impacts to the underlying soil and groundwater, surface water bodies, and surrounding wetlands is greatly reduced.

Benefits

• Reduces emissions by eliminating nearly four million miles of bus travel. Previously, each rental car company operated its own shuttles. Now, there is one common shuttle for all the companies.
• Reduces road congestion in the terminal area.
• Conserved three million gallons of fuel since the facility opened in 2005.
• Reduces the potential for environmental impacts.​​

Cell Phone Lot

The 49-vehicle cell phone lot allows individuals to wait for their passengers for up to 30 minutes. It is very close to the arrival area of the terminals. Monitors provide timely information on flight arrivals. Since this parking lot opened in the fall of 2006, FLL has prohibited idling on the entrance road's shoulders. Also, there is no idling in the cell phone lot.

In warm-weather climates like Fort Lauderdale, motorists,​ and commercial fleets can reduce pollution and save money by turning off their engines when they plan to remain idle for thirty seconds or more. Security requirements eliminated vehicles idling at airport curbsides waiting to pick up passengers. In many cases, this has led to the circulation of vehicles or idling on highway shoulders, which contributes to increased emissions and airport congestion.

Benefits

• Reduces emissions
• Reduces gas use
• Reduces roadway traffic
• Reduces idling​

​​Bus and Taxi Holding Lot

In August 2006, FLL implemented a new program to reduce the queuing of buses at the Ground Transportation Areas by the terminals. During slow periods, a bus supervisor directs buses to the nearby bus holding lot. Weather permitting, drivers turn off the engines until they are dispatched back into operation. At the taxi holding lot, taxis remain until they are requested and dispatched to the terminal.

Benefits

• Reduces vehicle traffic
• Reduces idling
• Reduces emissions
• Reduces gasoline usage​​

The airport has increased the energy efficiency of the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) System by replacing older units with new higher efficiency models. Staff recently replaced and upgraded 55 air handler units in Terminals 2, 3, 4, and the commuter terminal. BCAD is currently upgrading the existing HVAC controls for Terminals 2, 3, and 4 to include a state-of-the-art control system. Further, staff upgraded chillers and towers in Terminals 3 and 4.

Benefits

• Reduces energy use
• Reduces emissions from power-generating facilities​

BCAD has a very active and aggressive Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program (SWPPP) at both FLL and North Perry Airport. This allows staff to work with our facilities and tenants to protect the stormwater system. This system serves as a direct conduit to the groundwater and surrounding surface water bodies such as the Dania Cut-Off Canal.

A major environmental concern at airports is water quality. Activities from tenants, facilities, and ramp areas can lead to illegal discharges. This can quickly degrade groundwater and surface waters unless measures are put in place to protect these resources. The cost to mitigate such impacts can be very expensive due to the loss of property usage during remediation and in the degradation of our natural community.

FLL's Environmental Compliance Group oversees SWPPP compliance through inspections, stormwater sampling, analysis and report preparation, and updating of the SWPPP document.

Benefits

• Protects water quality
• Educates tenants to minimize incidents and limit impacts​​​

LEED Standards for New Projects

LEED concepts such as the use of recycled building materials, energy-efficient lighting and HVAC systems, low-flow water devices, and reflective roof coatings have been incorporated into the terminals and the Rental Car Center.

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), provides a suite of standards for environmentally sustainable construction. The hallmark of LEED is an open and transparent process. The technical criteria proposed by the LEED committees are publicly reviewed for approval by the more than 10,000 membership organizations that make up the USGBC.

Broward County joined the USGBC in September of 2002 and sponsored the 1st LEED workshop in South Florida in March 2003 at the Broward County Convention Center. Currently, more than 10 employees are LEED-accredited professionals in the County.

Benefits

• Reduces energy use
• Reduces emissions from power-generating facilities
• Reduces water use
• Increases use of recycled materials

High-Efficiency Lighting

Staff is installing high-efficiency lighting in the terminals and other buildings. They are upgrading the standard T12 fluorescent lamps and ballasts to T8 fluorescent lamps and electronic ballasts. Incandescent luminaries/lamps have been replaced or retrofitted with compact fluorescent lamps. In addition, BCAD is reviewing plans to replace existing lighting in the parking garages with more energy-efficient lighting.

Benefits

• Reduces energy use
• Reduces emissions from power-generating facilities

​Low-Flow Water Fixtures

The airport is currently utilizing low-flow toilets and urinals and water-conserving automatic shut-off faucets within the restrooms. During future proposed terminal expansion or renovation projects, newer technology lower flow systems will be installed.

Benefits

• Reduces water use
• Reduces energy use to heat water
• Reduces emissions from power-generating facilities

Best Management Practices for Hazardous Materials and Waste Management

Maintenance staff follows Best Management Practices (BMPs) in the use, storage, and disposition of hazardous materials and wastes. BCAD developed BMPs for the maintenance staff to follow according to State standards. Staff is recycling fluorescent bulbs, waste oil, unused paints, tires, batteries, and spent solvents. These BMPs are currently being updated for use by tenants at FLL and North Perry Airport.

Benefits

• Reduces potential pollution
• Recycles hazardous materials

​Green Belt and Noise Barrier

FLL has combined noise mitigation with environmental stewardship in the Green Belt development which marks FLL's southern boundary. The 30-acre greenbelt is a vegetated earthen berm. It also serves the community by providing a noise barrier with a walking path, diverse vegetation, and wetland areas.

Benefits

• Reduces noise impacts
• Provides a walking path through a beautifully landscaped setting​