Marketplace Philadelphia in conjunction with the City of Philadelphia work to make recycling a priority at PHL.

Philadelphia MarketPlace Food & Shops at PHL introduced a comprehensive Recycling program in 2010.  The recycling and energy efficiency initiatives included “single stream” recycling of cardboard, glass, aluminum, plastic and clean paper; processing of used fryer oil into bio-diesel fuel; and converting some common area lighting to high-efficiency LED lamps.  Each restaurant and retail location within PHL carries a recycled only container that is collected and sorted.   The Food & Shops program at PHL also introduced trash receptacles equipped to make recycling easy in all food court areas throughout the airport for passengers and employees. 

Taken together, these initiatives generated $78,650 in combined savings and rebates in 2010!

The Recycling Program update in 2011:

• Philadelphia MarketPlace Food & shops "single stream" recycling remains its most significant "green" program.  Single stream recycling means that all recyclable materials including cardboard, glass, aluminum, plastic and clean paper are sent out "commingled" and are then sorted by the recycling hauler for further processing as recyclable commodities.  For the calendar year 2011, while total waste from the Philadelphia MarketPlace Food & Shops retail and food & beverage program increased by 5.6%, landfill trash decreased by 1.6% and recycling increased by 45%.
• In 2011, Waste Oil Recyclers collected 10,500 gallons of used fryer oil and processed it into 7,350 gallons of bio-diesel.  According to Waste Oil Recyclers, converting 10,000 gallons of used fryer oil into bio-diesel is equivalent to planting 10,000 trees or saving 15 tons of trash from landfills.
• Philadelphia MarketPlace Food & Shops also continued the use of long-lasting, energy-efficient LED light bulbs in place of 399 tungsten-halogen "blade-sign" light bulbs.  This contributed $8,400 in electricity savings.
• Two new recycling and energy efficiency initiatives were introduced in 2011:

1. Food Waste Composting Pilot Program - Philadelphia MarketPlace Food & Shops facilitated this program in cooperation with DOA and TRC.  The pilot program demonstrated the basic operational and financial feasibility of a food waste composting program at Philadelphia MarketPlace Food & Shops.
2. Electronic Waste Recycling - On America Recycles Day, November 15, 2011, Philadelphia MarketPlace Food & Shops arranged for merchants to recycle electronic waste items such as POS (cash register) systems comprised of computers, monitors, and printers.  There is no rebate for the recycled material - the reward is in recycling these items in the most responsible manner.

Taken together, these initiatives generated $116,369 in combined savings and rebates in 2011!

In addition to the initiates above, the following retail locations carry products that are made from recycled materials OR have initiatives that support the effort to be sustainably responsible.  Passengers and employees at PHL are encouraged to visit each location and purchase an eco-friendly item:

•Au Bon Pain reduces waste through reuse and recycling, and by purchasing recycled and recyclable products (napkins, coffee sleeves, plates, paper bags, etc.), or products and materials that can be refurbished where these alternatives are available, economical, and suitable.  Au Bon Pain also created and executed an energy savings program called "A Better Planet" which outlined procedures that can reduce the amount of electricity, energy, food and water used at the cafes.  Locations include Terminals A-West, C, and F.

•Chickie's & Pete's uses the Restaurant Technologies, Inc. (RTI) grease removal system.  In addition to providing tools to reduce oil use, RTI's sophisticated oil delivery and management system eliminates the cardboard and plastic containers used in traditional oil packaging.  RTI also recycles waste oil for bio-diesel fuels and other eco-friendly uses.  Locations include Terminals A-West, C, D, & E.

•Gap offers paperless receipts.  Located in the B/C Connector.

•International Shoppes has been working with US Airways to help passengers who have purchased liquor from a duty free shop overseas, and who need to have it repackaged and sent to their final destination from PHL.  Instead of having to purchase more boxes, International Shoppes reuses cardboard liquor boxes from supplies they receive, and gives them to US Airways to ship the packages for passengers.

• Paradies Shops- CNBC's Read & Return Program allows passengers to: Buy a book, Read it, Return it within six months of purchase with a receipt, and Receive 50% of your purchase price back! The program is good on all books, hardcover or paperback. Books that are returned in good condition are then resold at half price.

• Roster stores are lit with high efficiency LED bulbs that will approach 80% efficiency, which means 80% of the electrical energy is converted to light energy, unlike an incandescent bulb which only has 20% efficiency.  From flooring to fixtures, Roster uses renewable resources whenever possible and does so throughout all areas of construction of their retail spaces.  Often times Roster works to maintain a former store's basic structure integrity to reuse the resources and not add to landfills.  Located in the B/C Connector.

•Tech Showcase/Airport Wireless carries recycled products including Bob Marley headphones, ear buds, speakers, and more.  Locations include Terminal B, C and the D/E Connector.

•The Body Shop supplies shampoos and conditioners made from all natural ingredients.  Packaging is made from 100% recycled material.  Located in the B/C Connector.