Portland's Green Convention Center

[sandnsea]

Since Portland is the most sustainable city in the US, I thought I'd share a few things I noticed when I was at the convention center yesterday.

First of all, it has a complete recycling program which is posted in varying locations so people can easily participate. The paper recycling containers are designed to take paper only, you can't put food or other kinds of garbage in them. They recycle everything, cardboard, newspaper, cans, plastics, glass bottles, wood pallets, cooking oil, and landscaping trimmings. They also have a composting program.

The toilets had a flush system, up for liquid, down for solid, to put it delicately. There is also a rainwater system that moves rainwater from the roof to all the landscaping, and if there is any excess from that, it is piped straight to the river so that fresh rainwater doesn't end up having chemicals added to it in the sewage system.

They buy power from the wind power purchase program. They offer reduced rates to their employees for mass transit.

Lots more here, if you want to take these ideas to your local convention center or event stadium.

http://www.oregoncc.org/sustainability/