![[logo] US EPA](../gif/logo_epaseal.gif){kind=logo}
Convention Centers
Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.
Most large US cities have a convention center, usually consisting of exhibition halls, conference rooms, ballrooms, and occasionally sports arenas and facilities for other purposes. Exhibition spaces can range dramatically in size, hosting anywhere from 2,000 to 500,000 or more, for events such as auto or boat shows. Playing host to thousands of events and millions of people every year, convention centers have ample opportunities to recycle and benefit financially from their efforts.
Target Areas
Exhibit Floors and Lobby Areas
On the exhibit floors and in lobby areas, visitors may be socializing, eating, viewing exhibits, or even working. Providing recycling bins to collect glass, plastic, and aluminum beverage containers, as well as white office paper, could help visitors recycle while they explore a convention’s offerings.
Tips:
- Use clear signage and labels on the bins to indicate what materials may be recycled.
- Place recycling bins adjacent to trash cans.
- Advertise the location of recycling bins and the importance of using them through printed programs, over the loudspeaker, and on television screens.
Catering and Dining Areas
By offering breakfasts, lunches, snacks, and dinners, convention centers serve massive quantities of food and beverages, the waste from which could be diverted from landfills and captured for composting.
Tips:
- Consider capturing food material and compostable serveware and utensils from all concession and catering locations.
- Provide recycling bins to collect glass, plastic, and metal beverage and food containers in the catering areas so staff can easily recycle.
- Consider purchasing a baler to facilitate cardboard recycling.
Success Stories
- Greening Brownfields 2008: Practices and Lessons Learned (PDF) (108 pp, 5.8MB, about PDF)
- Recycling Organics at Boston Convention and Exhibition Center (PDF) (6 pp, 3.3MB, about PDF)
- Oregon Convention Center Puts “Good Waste” to Use (PDF) (7 pp, 901)
- San Francisco’s Moscone Center Aims For 75 Percent Waste Diversion by 2010 (PDF) (5 pp, 595K, about PDF)
