Going Green is a Lifestyle Change, Not a Fad Diet!

If we may borrow a metaphor from the weight loss industry, creating an eco-friendly convention center is not a fad diet that’s “here today and gone tomorrow.” Rather, it’s a complete lifestyle makeover that involves the way we work and the countless decisions we make at the Fort Lauderdale Convention Center every day, from energy and water efficiency and recycling to xeriscape, the products we purchase and more.

Our green initiative began with many simple practices that most of us already use at home, such as recycling bottles, cans, paper and plastics, as well as choosing to purchase recycled products.  It felt right to all of us and we wanted to do more.

So in October 2008 the Center's "Green Team" took its first steps toward what eventually would prepare us for LEED certification for Existing Buildings: Operations & Management, including working with Sustainable Options, LLC, Green Building Consultants to register our Convention Center with the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). By 2009, the Center had a plan in place and was ready to move forward with LEED certification.

“The process of earning LEED certification for Existing Buildings presents opportunities and challenges every step of the way,” said Carlos Puentes, Deputy Director of the Broward County Convention Center. “Creating an environmentally sustainable building is a mindset that must be evident in the decisions and actions shaping every aspect of construction and ongoing operations. Our Convention Center team is completely on board when it comes to transforming our facility and reducing our carbon imprint.”

Today the SMG-managed Broward County Convention Center annually recycles an estimated 150 tons of brochures, wood pallets, cardboard, carpet and padding, clear sheet plastic, plastic table cloths, lamps and bulbs, shrink wrap, twine, landscaping debris and batteries, as well as plastic bottles, glass and cans. We take advantage of every opportunity to reduce energy and water usage. Our eco-friendly attitude impacts everything we do in providing an outstanding guest experience each and every time. 

We invite you to join us on our journey to preserving resources for generations to come. It’s amazing how many small, but important things we can all do. Many cities already have recycling practices in place for plastic bottles, glass, cans and paper. But there are many other simple ways to recycle at home and at your work place. Here are three simple steps everyone can take to a greener lifestyle:
Going Green Business Ideas

1. Buy and use recycled products whenever possible.
2. Recycle ink cartridges from computer printers and copiers by taking them to office supply stores that have safe-recycle programs in place.  Some offer incentives such as a free package of computer printer paper for every recycled ink cartridge.
3. Properly dispose of old batteries, electronics and other potentially hazardous products.  Check with your city regarding disposal of these items to keep harmful chemicals and byproducts from seeping into the environment.

It’s an exciting new era as the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center moves closer to achieving LEED certification for Existing Buildings.

Sustainably yours,
The Green Team

Image licensed under Creative Commons, courtesy of Theorris.

This article was previously published at the www.ftlauderdalecc.com blog.