PROMOTING AN ENVIRONMENTALLY RESPONSIBLE FUTURE
SUSTAINABLE MISSION
“Committed to ongoing sustainable efforts that promote an environmentally responsible present and future by researching and implementing innovative green solutions.”
The Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority (LVCVA) which consists of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC), Cashman Center and five outlining Visitors Information Centers averages 214 events annually, utilizing over 13 million leased square feet with nearly 2 million attendees who experience our facility. As you can imagine, supporting these types of numbers require a significant amount of resources and generates an even greater amount of trash. Through our current efforts, we have been able to control or decrease any adverse effects to our environment.
| As you read this information, you will find that our sustainable efforts have allowed us to achieve the following:
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- Reduce energy consumption on an annual basis
- Conserve water use within our facilities to include landscape
- Establish a comprehensive offsite recycle program
| - Develop a “Green” purchase plan
- Establish multiple relationships throughout our community
- Continuous research and implementation of other eco-friendly practices
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Moving forward, we are committed to building on our current successes and maintaining a proactive approach towards future sustainable activities currently in the works. As we continue to experience growth within our industry, we anticipate an even greater need to explore sustainable options and remain committed to our stakeholders, customers and community. Plus, it’s the right thing to do.
The LVCC recycling program continues to be successful and averages a 64% recycle rate. The program’s seamless operation allows our events and customers to focus on the show, eliminating the need for multiple commodity specific recycle bins. Simply put, no need to worry about paper or plastic bins, it’s all thoroughly sorted at an offsite recycle center.
- All florescent lamps are disposed of and transported in a hazardous materials containment drum.
- The LVCVA averages 338 tons of plastic recovered annually.
- Although many of our print jobs have been minimized, the LVCVA has a printer cartridge recycling program in place.
- Recycle of engine oil, anti-freeze, paint thinner, tires, batteries and various metals.
| - Approximately 672 tons of cardboard is diverted from landfills annually.
- The LVCVA recycles an average of 120 pounds of “Techno Trash” annually.
- All LVCC compactors are branded with our message to the community.
- The LVCVA diverts an equivalent of (26) 747 airplanes or an equivalent of 2,080 cars from landfills annually.
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| DID YOU KNOW? Unlike other facilities, the LVCVA transports all solid waste containers to a local recycle center where each container is sorted. Therefore, numerous recycle containers are not needed and all phases of your event participate in our program. |
GREEN PURCHASING
The LVCVA adopted an Environmental Purchasing Policy in 2009 to reduce the LVCVA’s environmental impact, while maintaining the value received from purchases. The Policy mandates environmental and sustainable evaluations on all LVCVA acquisitions. The LVCVA may choose to pay a premium for environmentally friendly or sustainable products; however, where product descriptions and features are equivalent, the environmentally sensitive products are chosen.
- GreenSeal & Biobased cleaning chemicals are used on a daily basis.
- 30,000 gallons of chemicals have been replaced with environmental friendly products.
- 19 tons of plastic trash bags have been replaced with biodegradable substitutes.
| - Paper towels manufactured 100% from rapidly renewable fiber.
- The Purchasing Department established an internal "Excess Office Supply Store" in 2009 to reduce waste by redistributing unused office supplies to other sections.
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| DID YOU KNOW? In the computer world, storage media is constantly evolving and harms our environment. In 2006, the "Techno Trash" recycling program was started and has expanded to include all types of electronics and storage devices. |
| TRANSPORTATION - 90% of LVCVA transport and work vehicles are battery or propane powered.
- Approximately 20k rooms available within a 1-mile radius.
- Approximately 92k rooms available via monorail.
COMMUNITY - Neighborhood clean up of a vacant lot. Over 40 participants partnered with LVMPD officers.
- LVCVA shares green "best practices" information with our resort community.
- Our partner, Aramark, provides excess food donations to the Las Vegas Mission and Catholic Charities.
- LVCVA continues to promote the donation of surplus exhibitor product from show management to local non-profits such as Opportunity Village, Repurpose America, Habitat for Humanity and Three Square. These are items that would normally be discarded, yet, have residual value to these organizations.
| CONSERVATION - All black and white printers in offices are set by default to print in draft mode on double-sided to extend the life of printer cartridges and save paper.
- Energy conservation efforts reduced annual cost by an average of 8.7% since 2008 at the LVCVA.
- Water conservation programs reduced cost by an average of 11% per year since 2008.
- LVCC & Cashman Center maximizes the use of desert landscaping throughout facility grounds.
- Cashman Center reduced its average daily water usage by 3% from 2008 – 2009, and 16% from 2009 – 2010, an average savings of 13,000 gallons per day.
- Participating with the Water Sense Program as a Promotional Partner, which includes a commitment to water preservation for future generations, reduce waste water infrastructure and support state and local water-efficiency efforts.
| As an Energy Star Partner, we are committed to the following: - Measure and track the energy performance
of our organization's facilities. - Where possible, develop and implement a plan consistent with the ENERGY STAR Energy Management Guidelines to achieve energy savings and help spread the word about the importance of energy efficiency to our staff and community.
- Help improve the energy efficiency of America's commercial and industrial buildings by 10% or more.
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