Stage 4: Environmental Impact Research

Once funding is secured, the Ei Airborne Kitchen Grease (AKG) Initiative moves forward with the following stages:

• Stage 1: Building the Foundation
• Stage 2: Developing the City-Wide AKG Template
• Stage 3: National Expansion
• Stage 4: Environmental Impact Research

Although the initial Ei AKG Initiative focus is cost savings, the environmental impact is the essence. Cost savings is a strong, immediate motivator for the community and business owners to take action. Via the AKG metrics platform the water, grease and toxic-cleaning-agent savings are available to quantify the long-term environmental impact.

After the second city pilot launch, the AKG Water | Soil Impact Research Report begins to identify the toxic cleaning agents used in typical KES cleaning along with their impact on waterways and soils. The report serves as the foundation to securing funding for an in-depth AKG Water | Soil Impact Research Study, including impact on community health.

According to the Safety Data Sheet for a common KES-cleaning product used, it is dangerous, corrosive, and very toxic to aquatic organisms, causes burns, and its contact with soil, waterways, drains and sewers is to be avoided. As documented on the Ei AKG Initiative page, the cleaning products used in KES cleanings flow directly into the sewer system after the cleaning is complete.

It is imperative to document the extensive AKG environmental impact with scientific research and educate communities, businesses, and citizens on the far-reaching ramifications of current AKG reactive practices. A simple proactive approach is available that makes good business sense for the entire value chain, including the water and soil microbial communities.

For additional details on the AKG, visit the following ZWA Blog articles:

• Zero WATER Waste: more than a goal, a necessity introduces the importance of addressing water use | toxicity and gives an overview of the GLF system.
• GREASE: Activating the Zero Waste Evolution reintroduces GREASE along with history, future directions and mention of the SFCI Atlanta Airport meeting on grease generated by airport concessionaires.
• GREASE: a new frontier filled with economic & environmental promise delves into the current airborne kitchen grease scenario and how a proactive approach saves water, toxic chemical use, labor and dollars.
• Airborne Kitchen Grease: a simple solution to a costly kitchen by-product introduces the first action steps to developing a city-wide AKG initiative.
• Atlanta Airport Presents a Proactive Approach to Airborne Kitchen Grease< announces the American Association of Airport Executives’ February | March publication Airport Magazine article, AIRBORNE KITCHEN GREASE: A New Frontier in Sustainability, A simple solution saves tremendous water use, labor and dollars. Co-written by Michael Cheyne, Atlanta Airport director of asset management & sustainability, and Ei founder Holly Elmore, the article is in the Airport Magazine Asset Management department.
• Charlotte opportunities segue into ACTION documents the powerful Ei Charlotte visit. The AKG Initiative was an Ei driver for scheduling the July 2015 Charlotte visit. City, county, state and federal associates made the Charlotte Airport AKG meeting a priority in hectic schedules. 
• Ei Airborne Kitchen Grease Initiative, announces the initiative along with an overview and the four-stage plan.