Airline Urges Bathroom Breaks to Lighten Load, Save Fuel

October 8, 2009

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More airlines are starting to retrofit their facilities with energy-efficient LEDs to save energy, while some others are targeting not-so-traditional initiatives to lighten their fuel consumption.

On the bizarre side, a Japanese airline has launched a new initiative that calls for passengers to use the bathroom before boarding to help reduce fuel and carbon emissions, reported the Daily Mail.

Nippon Airline says lighter passengers mean lighter aircraft, which translates into less fuel, according to Fox News. Nippon hopes the one-month trial, which started Oct. 1, will reduce carbon emissions by five tons in 30 days, according to the article.

As a more mainstream example, American Airlines and Oncor Electric Delivery Company LLC are completing a project, touted as one of the largest single installations of LED lighting in the U.S., which will replace more that 1,600 incandescent lighting fixtures with new LED bulbs, reports GREENandSAVE.com. The project completely retrofits two multi-story parking garages near the airline’s corporate headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas.

American Airlines will also receive $362,887 in financial incentives over the next 12 months through Oncor’s “Take A Load Off, Texas, LED Lighting Program” to help offset some of the cost of the LED installation, said GREENandSave.com. The program offers commercial, non-profit and governmental customers monetary enticement upon the completion of a lighting project, according to the article.

The lights, provided by Lighting Science Group of Satellite Beach, Fla., consume 60 percent less energy and last 50,000 hours or three times longer than traditional light sources, which results in reduced maintenance costs and greenhouse gas emissions.

LED Saving Solutions, is also focused on cost containment by offering $100 million in LED lighting retrofits at zero out-of-pocket expense to schools, hospitals, office buildings, manufacturing plants, warehouses, hotels and other businesses across the United States, reports GREENandSAVE.com.

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Reader Comments

I would like to add that Oncor has been in partnership with TexasIsHot.org in urging Texans to help change energy consumption by providing Texans with the tips, tools and information to be more energy efficient — and save money in the process. Energy conservation is without a doubt the easiest option to lower bills, help the environment and lessen our nation’s energy dependence. http://www.TexasIsHot.org.

TexasIsHot | October 8th, 2009

Why is it bizarre to request that the passengers use the bathroom ahead of time, or try to?

It’s not as if they’re forbidden to use the toilet on board if they MUST–and the impact could be huge, everyone took this simple precaution.

Besides, it’s not exactly pleasant being in that tiny restroom onboard when you hit turbulence.

The word “bizarre” adds bias and opinion to this article, and makes it less professional; I’d suggest removing it. If you must have an adjective, how about “innovative”?

Rose | October 9th, 2009

How about charging a fuel surcharge by total weight (body and bags). That would be more efficient.

Nancy Schneider | October 9th, 2009

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