JetBlue: Celebrating Earth Day Every Day

To us, Earth Day is every day (even if it was technically on April 22). That’s why we’re implementing smarter approaches to move us forward and giving back to our communities whenever we can. Here are some of the ways we celebrate our planet around the clock:

ROOTED IN HUMANITY

Through our One Thing That’s Green initiative, we have planted over 3,500 trees in New York City. Across the 101 cities we fly to, we have mobilized close to 10,000 crewmembers and tracked more than 35,000 volunteer hours for environmental related projects.

GREEN IS THE NEW BLUE

Another aspect of our One Thing That’s Green initiative is the Green City Vote. Each year, we ask our customers and crewmembers to decide where to plant our next park – previous winners include Austin in 2016, Long Beach in 2015 and Hardford in 2014. This year, four cities are vying for the chance to win a shiny new green space: Fort Lauder-Hollywood, San Francisco, San Juan and Washington, D.C. Everyone who votes will automatically be entered to win a variety of prizes, so be sure to cast your ballot by April 30! 

PLANTING THE SEED GRANTS

In 2017, the JetBlue Foundation donated a seed grant for the Worcester County Horticultural Society. The Worcester Tree Initiative will use this funding to develop an environmental education program that explores the intersection of urban forestry and aviation. This program will educate youth about using aviation technology to gather information about the health of trees and forests. 

GREEN SKIES AHEAD

JetBlue Technology Ventures (JTV), the venture capital subsidiary of JetBlue announced an investment in Zunum Aero – an innovative startup that aims to do for aircraft what Tesla did for automobiles. Zunum is building an electric/hybrid family of 10-50 seat aircraft optimized for the 100-1000 mile range. The first aircraft is targeted to arrive on the market in 2021-2022. 

REDUCE, RECYCLE, RENEW

Last fall, we signed one of the biggest renewable jet fuel agreements in aviation history. For at least the next 10 years, we'll buy blended fuel, produced from rapidly replenishable biological resources from SG Preston. The fuel (30% renewable and 70% traditional) aims for at least a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions per gallon, with no impact on performance or safety. 

WHAT'S NEXT IS NOW

We’re investing $60 million in NextGen technology to create much-needed efficiencies and reduce emissions. Thanks to faster and more precise systems, JetBlue can fly more direct routes, optimize flight speeds, and improve descent patterns. Not only does this better protect the environment, it also improves safety, fewer delays and cancellations, and shorter flight times for crewmembers and customers.

IT’S ELECTRIC!

The transition to electric vehicles isn’t limited to just consumers. JetBlue is investing in plug-in electric vehicles as a method of reducing our dependence on oil and reducing pollution emissions. Our fleet of electric vehicles has reduced carbon emissions by 270 metric tons a year.

FROM COMPOST TO CROPS

Last year, our JFK T5 composting program put 100,000  pounds of food waste back to work. The nutrients in Dunkin' Donuts and Jamba Juice scraps were composted at McEnroe Organic Farm in upstate New York to nurture new plants. Back at JetBlue's T5 Farm, Crewmembers used the compost to grow fresh produce for donation to City Harvest and a private food bank in Brooklyn. In 2017, our goal is to compost 150,000 pounds of waste!

CARBON OFFSETTING

Since partnering with Carbonfund.org in 2008, JetBlue has offset more than 1.7 billion pounds of carbon dioxide emissions. Through Carbonfund.org, JetBlue has helped fund a total of seven renewable energy and carbon-reduction projects in and around our BlueCities.

Want more information on how we’re making a difference? Check out our 2016 Responsibility Report.