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Like hotels, meeting venues can benefit in more ways than one by greening operations. Here are some tips.
- Get buy-in at all levels. Instate an environmental policy, and communicate it to all employees, from upper management down.
- Install water saving devices for toilets and faucets in all bathrooms.
- Use environmentally friendly cleaning agents (MSDS Health Hazard Rating of 1 or less) throughout the property.
- Start or expand your on-site recycling program to capture paper, metals, glass, and plastics, and separate and compost organic waste. Contract with a private recycling company or see if the city government will collect your recyclables.
- Initiate an energy management program to reduce consumption of electricity. This can include switching from incandescent to fluorescent lighting; installing programmable thermostats; using low-wattage bulbs in some areas; and installing motion detection devices for room lighting.
- Use reusable linens, dishes and cutlery in catering and food service areas of your facility.
- Install an air filtration system for cleaner in-house air.
- Install a Building Automation System for temperature control.
- Have a third party energy audit to see where energy is being wasted, and to get ideas on how to conserve more.
- Practice responsible procurement by establishing a policy to purchase more environmentally-friendly products, including paper and plastics.
- Plan your landscaping using indigenous plants that will be hardy and require less water. Eliminate chemical pesticides and herbicides.
- Keep track of your progress - both environmental and cost savings, and use the information to promote your success.
- If you provide catering services at your venue, please see the Food & Beverage Section for further tips.
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Pittsburgh’s new David L. Lawrence Convention Center, scheduled to open in 2003, is green by design. The facility’s design and construction incorporate a variety of greening elements, including the use of natural lighting, re-use of waste water, recycling of up to 80% of waste, and the use of non-toxic and recycled materials. The greening efforts are anticipated to cut the facility’s utility costs by 40%, paying for the initial investment in 7 to 10 years. In addition, the Greater Pittsburgh Convention and Visitor Bureau expects the green convention center will attract business and help clean up Pittsburgh’s image as a polluted steel town. (Source: Pittsburg Business Times, September 17, 2001.) |
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