Greening Greenbuild

We want to be the leader in green meetings.

Since 2002 Greenbuild has worked to show leadership in implementing sustainable meeting practices. We have created a twice award-winning green event that has served as a model and is helping to transform the global meetings industry. Our success is the result of partnerships between USGBC, our vendors, host communities, exhibitors and attendees to reduce waste and emissions, conserve water and promote wise energy use.

Achievements from Greenbuild 2007 in Chicago:

91% of waste produced at the conference venue was diverted from landfill. This amounts to less than half a pound of trash per delegate! Contrast that with the 5 lbs of trash per delegate generated at Greenbuild 2006 and that is a huge savings!
In addition, the two offsite events hosted by USGBC composted 3400 lbs of organic waste and recycled 1600 lbs of glass, plastic and paper.
The event was fuelled by 100% green power at no additional cost to USGBC.
A minimum of 21% of food provided at McCormick Place was local or organic. Offsite events provided over 50% local and organic menus.
Caterers achieved 26-50% cost savings by switching to bulk containers.
2245 lbs of food were donated to Pacific Garden Mission in Chicago.
31 hotels in the City of Chicago made a commitment to pursue green certification.
Greenbuild 2007 achieved the lowest per participant event emissions in the 6-year history of the event, with 100% of greenhouse gas emissions and mercury offset.
8,500 square feet of vinyl and 200,000 square feet of carpet were composted or re-used.
50,000 pieces of paper were saved by providing exhibitor manuals online.

Greenbuild 2008

With each host city comes a new set of opportunities and challenges for greening our conference. Here is what we focused on in Boston to build on our past success:

Green Exhibitor Award: Exhibitors have embraced the challenge of greening their Greenbuild booths. Participation in this Award quadrupled to 77 exhibitors in 2007 with more applicants expected in 2008. Exhibitors and sponsors are working hard in partnership with USGBC to reduce unnecessary waste through sustainable product sourcing that includes reducing unnecessary giveaways, purchasing reusable items, and reducing shipping by sourcing suppliers regionally within North America.

Food & Beverage: USGBC requested minimum 25% local and organic menus for Greenbuild. In addition china and linen were used wherever possible and any disposables were composted at BCEC.

Exhibits: Stetson Convention Services continues to provide new and innovative green signage and décor for Greenbuild, including table coverings that are made from GMO-free corn starch that is 100% biodegradable, compostable and polyethylene free.

Printing, Signage & Registration: Switching to a 100% paperless and ticket-less registration process has dramatically reduced USGBC’s use of paper at Greenbuild. Our decision to print using 100% post-consumer paper has saved 23 trees, 8247 gallons of water, 16 million BTUs energy, 2,000 lbs of carbon dioxide and 1000 lbs of solid waste. New signage that was developed for Greenbuild 2007 was re-used in Boston.

Recycling stations: 54 recycling stations staffed by over 300 volunteers were placed throughout BCEC in an effort to reduce landfill waste. These stations accepted food waste, paper, glass, plastic and cans.

Hotels: All Boston hotels signed a green contract clause to confirm their intention to provide green guest rooms for Greenbuild. This included a commitment to recycle, provide towel and sheet re-use, turn lights off in rooms when they weren't occupied, and to use environmentally responsible cleaners. Share your green hotel experiences at Greenbuild 2008 in Boston by emailing us at info@greenbuildexpo.org.

Greenbuild 2009

Stay tuned for further achievements from Greenbuild 2008 and more information on how Greenbuild 2009 in Phoenix will continue the USGBC tradition of greening our meetings.