Building Green: Delta Donates Onboard Recycling Proceeds to Fully Fund Construction of Environmentally Friendly House for Habitat for Humanity

Home is first ever to be constructed entirely from recycling proceeds


ATLANTA, April 22, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- In recognition of Earth Day 2008, Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL) will donate the 2007 proceeds of its comprehensive onboard recycling program totaling $80,000 to completely fund the construction of an EarthCraft-style house for community partner Habitat for Humanity. Building is scheduled to begin in the Habitat for Humanity development in Jonesboro, GA this September. Delta, Gate Gourmet and Aramark employees -- all of whom support the company's onboard recycling initiative on a daily basis -- will lend their time and talents to the construction effort.

"Using proceeds from our onboard recycling program to build an eco-friendly EarthCraft-style home really brings this environmental effort full circle," said Jennifer Otenti, project manager - Environmental Services at Delta. "This EarthCraft-style home is the first to be constructed entirely from recycling proceeds, and will be built alongside two other homes funded through contributions from our Force for Global Good program."

Delta launched its comprehensive onboard recycling program in June 2007. Last year, Delta flight attendants, in partnership with ground-based Cabin Services and Catering employees, diverted 201 tons of aluminum, plastic and paper products from local landfills, recycled an estimated 7.8 million individual aluminum cans and raised $80,000. The program currently operates on flights serving seven airports and is slated to expand to additional Delta stations in 2008.

EarthCraft homes are built with specific materials and according to standards to reduce utility bills and energy waste. The Habitat house funded by Delta's onboard recycling program will meet all EarthCraft criteria, and contain such earth-friendly features as Energy Star appliances, low flow fixtures, improved insulation and siding, and high efficiency windows and doors.

Delta's Force for Global Good unites Delta employees and customers in philanthropic and social responsibility efforts throughout the world, and counts Habitat for Humanity among its major partners. All net proceeds from Delta's onboard recycling program are given directly to Habitat for Humanity through the Force for Global Good Program.

Habitat for Humanity International welcomes to its work all people dedicated to the cause of eliminating poverty housing. Since its founding in 1976, Habitat has built more than 250,000 houses worldwide, providing simple, decent and affordable shelter for more than 1 million people. For more information, visit www.habitat.org.

Delta Air Lines operates service to more worldwide destinations than any airline with Delta and Delta Connection flights to 306 destinations in 58 countries. Delta has added more international capacity than any major U.S. airline during the last two years and is the leader across the Atlantic with flights to 37 trans-Atlantic markets. To Latin America and the Caribbean, Delta offers more than 517 weekly flights to 57 destinations. Delta's marketing alliances also allow customers to earn and redeem SkyMiles on nearly 16,409 flights offered by SkyTeam and other partners. Delta is a founding member of SkyTeam, a global airline alliance that provides customers with extensive worldwide destinations, flights and services. Including its SkyTeam and worldwide codeshare partners, Delta offers flights to 841 worldwide destinations in 162 countries. Customers can check in for flights, print boarding passes and check flight status at delta.com.

The Delta Air Lines, Inc. logo is available at http://www.primenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=1825



            

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