GWCC Green Facts
The Georgia World Congress Center is committed to sustainability and works closely with customers to meet their specific green needs. The following are the convention center's green practices and initiatives.
Waste Minimization
- In 2010, the Georgia World Congress Center diverted 560 tons of waste from the landfill: 76.5 tons of commingled recycling (paper, plastic, glass and aluminum), 395.76 tons of composted food, 74.68 tons of recycled corrugated board and 13.2 tons of recycled wood pallets.
- Over 91,400 lbs of paper, glass, plastic and aluminum were recycled in 2009.
- Over 2,380 pallets have been recycled since December 2009.
- Cardboard is baled and recycled. In 2009, 48 bales were recycled, which equals 60,000 lbs.
- Food waste from the kitchens is composted. In 2009, over 274,700 lbs of food were composted.
- Each of the 106 meeting rooms at the Georgia World Congress Center now has a spring water cooler. This greatly reduces the amount of plastic bottles consumed on site, therefore minimizing waste.
- Left-over food is donated to local food banks and charitable organizations. Over 30,000 lbs of food is donated annually.
- Tools and supplies left over from events are donated to local food bank and Habitat for Humanity.
- Juice, tea and coffee are served in pitchers, and china service is available for any event.
- Cooking oil is recycled. Since November 2009, over 12,000 lbs or oil have been recycled.
- Decommissioned furniture and equipment are sold via Govdeals.com rather than hauled to the landfill.
Energy Efficiency
- Electricity consumption was reduced by 5.5 kWh from July 2009-March 2010, which is more than one normal month's worth of electricity.
- During move-in and move-out in the exhibit halls only half-lights are used and HVAC is reduced.
- Portions of the facility are closed off when not in use, by turning off escalators and lights.
- Building C's energy efficient plant (chillers and boilers) is used to cool & heat Buildings A, B & C. New towers in Building A are energy efficient.
- Temperature is monitored at higher set points, in order to reduce energy consumption.
- Florescent and metal halide lighting are used for longer life and efficient energy consumption.
- Renovations in Building A & B include energy efficient ceiling tiles, safety glass and lighting. Building A's new escalators are energy efficient.
Water Conservation
- $163,000 worth of water was saved from July 2009-February 2010.
- Water aerators have been installed on sinks and low flow devices on the toilets and urinals to reduce water consumption.
- Timed water faucets have been installed on sinks.
- Water pumped from two wells located on campus is used for irrigation and ornamental water features.
Best Green Internal Practices
- Registered with the U.S. Green Building Council to work towards LEED certification for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance
- Green cleaning chemicals are used throughout the building.
- Low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) adhesives are used.
- Low VOC paints are used.
- The veneer on the meeting room doors and surrounding the Georgia Ballroom was cut from a managed forest.
- Linoleum is used in service corridors and auditoriums.
- Ceiling tiles in the meeting rooms are sustainable to the environment.
- The Green Team meets once a month and green messaging is conveyed to employees.
- Recycled paper is used in offices.
- Campus maps and collateral are printed on recycled paper certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.
- Bike racks & proximity to MARTA promote green friendly ways to get to work as well as internal promotion of the Clean Air Campaign. The GWCC was one of the top 10 companies in the region with the highest employee participation rate in the 2010 Give Your Car the Day Off event, organized by the Clean Air Campaign.
- State-of-the-art controls system is used for lighting, HVAC, fire protection and security.
- The West Plaza and International Plaza incorporate a green space over a parking deck.
GWCCA Green Mission Statement
The Georgia World Congress Center Authority, which includes the Georgia World Congress Center, Georgia Dome and Centennial Olympic Park, is committed to implementing sustainable practices in pursuit of environmental responsibility. Partnering with our customers in this endeavor, we acknowledge the tremendous impact our industry can have on the environment-either positive or negative-and choose to continually work towards a positive difference. We take the responsibility of maintaining our 200-acre campus for the citizens of Georgia seriously and adopt environmental stewardship as the best way to preserve these facilities as great economic assets to our community. With an ongoing evaluation of our current needs and how they will effect future generations, we strive to ever-increase our green practices and initiatives. The mission of the Georgia World Congress Center Authority is to enhance the overall quality of life for every Georgian, and by choosing environmental responsibility as our standard operating procedure, these facilities will enhance the quality of life for generations of Georgians.
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