In 2004, approximately 20.8 million passengers passed through FLL. This represents a 16 percent increase over FLL's 2003 passenger load (18.3 million) and a 36 percent increase over the 2002 passenger load (15.3 million). For comparison, the Airport's total passenger count in 1989 was only about 7.9 million. Thus, since we opened our MRF, the number of passengers passing through FLL annually has nearly tripled. With this significant increase in passengers has also come a corresponding increase in waste production. Indeed, the total amount of waste generated at FLL each year has more than doubled since ARS began operations. This is attributable not only to the huge increase in passenger numbers, but also to the addition of new administrative offices, new terminals, and new businesses to serve those passengers.
Without the ARS program, wastes generated at FLL would have to be disposed of at the Broward County Incinerator. In 2004, incineration disposal rates increased by 3.5% to about $100 per ton, including franchise fees. In contrast, when ARS started out, waste disposal rates were averaging $35 per ton. With rising fuel prices, hauling fees and fuel surcharge fees were also higher in 2004 than in previous years. Total per ton waste disposal rates in Broward County have therefore roughly tripled since 1989. Based on this major rate increase, coupled with the fact that passenger loads have also nearly tripled over the same period, we estimate that ARS has saved the FLL airlines hundreds of thousands of dollars, collectively, since our MRF became operational.