Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) is setting the standard for environmental innovation in aviation. In response to the Attorney General’s Modified Consent Order (MCO), CLE pioneered a first-of-its-kind strategy to identify and remediate more than 40 ammonia-nitrogen and glycol source areas impacting stormwater discharges. This proactive approach ensures compliance with both the MCO and Ohio EPA’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Permit requirements.

 

The Game-Changer: Centralized Deicing Facility (CDF)

Since October 2006, CLE has operated its Centralized Deicing Facility (CDF) and Deicing Disposal Facility (DDF), dramatically improving water quality. Today, 98% of all aircraft deicing happens at the CDF, reducing spent aircraft deicing fluids (SADF) in nearby creeks, rivers, and Lake Erie, while also eliminating nuisance odors around concourses. Built like a landfill, the CDF prevents SADF from infiltrating groundwater, setting a benchmark for the aviation industry.

 

Impact by the Numbers

  • In its first year, the CDF cut SADF discharge by over 60% at CLE’s largest stormwater outfall.
  • Each year, CLE diverts 20 to 40 million gallons of low-concentration SADF to the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (NEORSD), fluids that would otherwise reach local waterways.
  • SADF collected at 5-10% glycol concentration is recycled into a 50/50 product, offsetting costs and reducing discharge fees.

 

Innovation in Action

CLE uses two high-efficiency Vilokan concentrators to filter and evaporate SADF, boosting glycol content to 50%. Over the last five deicing seasons, 786,899 gallons of SADF have been processed, producing 193,109 gallons of reusable 50/50 fluid. Last season, CLE even sold 1,500 gallons of recycled SADF to airport tenants to prevent lavatory water from freezing, which is a win for sustainability and collaboration.

 

What’s Next?

The future looks even greener. CLE has purchased its first all-electric deicing truck, and conversations are underway to implement a closed-loop recycling system, where glycol is purchased, applied, collected, and reused entirely on-site. Meanwhile, the deicing applicator and collector is building its first U.S. facility in Syracuse for full recovery and recycling of spent deicing fluid, eliminating environmental contaminants altogether.

To learn more about CLE’s environmental initiatives and sustainability goals, click here.