Recycling efforts at the GWCC are resulting in conservation and environmental awareness on the 200-acre convention, sports and entertainment complex. The recycling program first began with office paper recycling bins over six years ago and since that time there has been great expansion of the program. The GWCC now recycles almost all the materials used in the building, with the exception of Styrofoam, wood and materials that have been contaminated with food.

In June, the project expanded even further to include materials used on the exhibit hall floors. Wood is the only material from the exhibit floor that is currently not recycled. "We are in the process of finding another recycler that has those capabilities," said John Gadson, GWCC director of building services.

This program is a service provided to customers at no additional cost to them and very little cost to the GWCC. The materials are collected by the housekeeping department and then loaded into the designated bins. The responsibility of separating the items is taken care of by Dreamsan, Inc., the recycling partner, and they are able to complete this at their facility. Most of the items that are now recycled are being reused in a multitude of different ways. Carastar is a company that recycles cardboard and mixed papers and in return provides tubes and sheetrock that is sold all over the United States. SE Paper Recycling receives old newspapers and inserts and manufactures rolled newsprint that is supplied to newspapers all over the Southeast.

Gadson and the building services staff have provided recycling receptacles all throughout the building. They continue to encourage staff and attendees to do their small part to help in this effort by placing materials in the designated containers. "Our efforts are making a huge impact on the amount of waste we just send to the landfills," said Gadson. Making recycling a priority is beneficial for everyone.