Sustainability
The WCAA Department of Environment & Sustainability ensures compliance with environmental regulations, manages potable water systems, and leads the Sustainability Management Plan at Detroit Metropolitan and Willow Run Airports.
The WCAA Department of Environment & Sustainability ensures compliance with environmental regulations, manages potable water systems, and leads the Sustainability Management Plan at Detroit Metropolitan and Willow Run Airports.
Launched in 2015, the Sustainability Program began with a dedicated group of employees committed to advancing sustainability at the airport. This Sustainability Working Group set goals that balance environmental priorities with financial, staffing, and community considerations. Their efforts are documented in the Sustainability Accomplishments Report and the Airport Authority’s Sustainability Plan, and the group continues to drive initiatives that make Detroit Metropolitan Airport a leader in sustainable aviation.
The program focuses on three core themes: People, Planes & Planet. People highlights our commitment to employees, tenants, local communities, and travelers. Planes emphasizes safe, efficient airport operations. Planet reflects our pledge to protect and conserve environmental resources.
The People initiative focuses on delivering a world-class passenger experience, investing in employee growth, and strengthening community partnerships. WCAA and Wayne County Parks host annual Arbor Day events with local students, featuring tree plantings and outdoor education. To fight food waste, WCAA donates about 500 pounds of unsold concession food each week—over 58,000 pounds to date—to Fish and Loaves Food Pantry. WCAA also supports workforce development through a hands-on summer college internship program.
The Planes initiative ensures safe, efficient, and cost-effective airport operations while leading in sustainability. Wayne County Airport Authority runs the world’s largest aircraft deicing fluid recycling program, reclaiming more propylene glycol than any airport in 12 of the past 15 seasons. Recycled glycol is repurposed for plastics and paints, and a dedicated drainage system protects local waterways.
In 2016, DTW’s Runway 4L/22R and Taxiways Reconstruction earned a Silver Envision award for reducing impervious surfaces, reusing stormwater and excavated materials, and installing energy-efficient LED lighting and signage.
The Planet initiative addresses air quality, noise, waste, water, energy, and natural resources. Wayne County Airport Authority reduces DTW’s environmental impact through energy efficiency, waste diversion, and sustainable practices. Thousands of lights have been replaced with LEDs, cutting energy use and carbon emissions. Recycling, composting, and bottle-filling stations reduce landfill waste—diverting over 13 tons of coffee grounds since 2017. WCAA also partners with Wayne County Parks to maintain beehives, supporting pollinators and local ecosystems.
Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) is Michigan’s busiest airport, connecting over 30 million passengers annually through world-class terminals and global flight routes.
