CDRecycler recently reported on the sustainability achievements and lessons learned during the 2017 Greenbuild International Conference and Expo, the world’s largest conference and exposition dedicated to green building. Usually hosted by the US Green Building Council (USGBC) at the Boston Convention and Exposition Center (BCEC), in 2017, Greenbuild was co-located with the ArchitectureBoston Expo (ABX), hosted by Informa Exhibitions. Together, Greenbuild and ABX achieved an all-time high waste diversion rate of 90.5% during the 3-day event, leading the way in sustainability for other large-scale professional events.
The sustainability efforts at Greenbuild focused on seven objectives, including waste management, stakeholder education and engagement, sustainable sourcing, improving performance tracking, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, community engagement, and sustainability in the hospitality industry.
To achieve the all-time high waste diversion rate, the Greenbuild Host Committee educated event volunteers on proper waste disposal and source separation, empowering them to help attendees and exhibitors correctly dispose of their waste. For example, exhibitors at the event donated more than 25,000 pounds of material, including cement blocks, flooring, carpet, and wood for distribution to local non-profits such as Habitat for Humanity. Greenbuild organizers leveraged existing partnerships with BCEC, their catering partner, and waste hauler Save That Stuff to divert nearly all event materials from disposal.
Conference organizers thoroughly documented the strategies and outcomes for each sustainability objective to help other organizations in the events industry achieve similar successes. For more on the sustainability victories achieved at Greenbuild and ABX, check out the final 2017 Sustainability Report.
RecyclingWorks in Massachusetts is a recycling assistance program funded by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection to help businesses and institutions maximize reuse, recycling, and food waste diversion opportunities. RecyclingWorks offers recycling and waste diversion guidance for specific business sectors, including hospitality and event venues, and for specific materials such as construction and demolition materials and food waste. For assistance implementing or expanding a recycling or composting program, call our hotline: (888) 254-5525 or email us at info@recyclingworksma.com.