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ST. LOUIS CONVENTION CENTER IS A SEA OF GREEN
"Being Green" means more than just trying to remember to recycle unused photocopies or the occasional soda can. The St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission (CVC) and America's Center is being proactive and making responsible choices to lessen their business' impact on the environment while improving the quality of life for residents and visitors alike. The America's Center convention complex welcomes thousands of visitors and convention attendees each year, and the CVC has made a number of improvements and adjustments to the way they do business in today's environmentally-focused world.
"We're currently implementing an energy saving program in the Edward Jones Dome heating system that involves installation of variable frequency drives on the pump motors and revised controls," said Bruce Sommer, director of America's Center. "Also, the convention center's three centrifugal chillers are being replaced with new high efficiency chillers that have variable frequency drives and use Freon that contributes less to global warming if it escapes. The chiller room will also be equipped with sensors and an alarm so if a leak should develop, we'll be able to catch it quicker - reducing the amount of Freon that's released into the atmosphere."
All new carpet in the convention center complex is comprised of 40 percent recycled materials, and the Plaza Lobby is being re-lamped with low-energy fixtures. The center's glass atrium has energy-saving film installed throughout, and overhead door air curtains have been put on the large doors used for show load-ins and load-outs. Air curtains help reduce the transfer of air between the inside and outside, cutting down on the amount of energy needed to heat and cool the building. Outside, the CVC is converting the electronic signs along I-70 to LED technology for lower energy use, and a light-colored roof has been installed over the entire facility.
Other steps taken to lessen the center's overall impact on the environment include: automated hand towel dispensers and automatic toilet flushers in restrooms; low-consumption usage toilets and urinals; using post-consumer recycled products such as "coreless" toilet paper and paper towels; and using Green Seal-certified phosphate-free, chlorine-free cleaning products throughout the building.
Recently the center replaced the existing electric heaters for the air handlers in Exhibit Halls 3, 4 and 5, opting for high-efficiency gas boilers. They also installed variable frequency drives on each hall's air handlers to reduce electric consumption. Boilers have been adjusted to run more efficiently, the chilled water piping for the center has been retrofitted to be more energy efficient, and the facility minimizes lighting levels during what can be very long move-in and move-out periods. In addition, a transfer switch has been installed to run the venue's generators and shave peak electric use, and green end tube fluorescent bulbs are used throughout the center.
America's Canter catering operations makes it easy for clients and visitors to be kinder to the environment as well. Food and beverage service features renewable service items such as china, napkins, and tablecloths at no additional charge, and all leftover food items from catered functions are used the next day in the employee cafeteria or picked up by local food pantries to be delivered to needy citizens. And instead of contributing to the increasing number of plastic bottles in area landfills, the catering department provides large containers or pitchers of water and glassware for customers. The Center no longer uses Styrofoam cups, and all Sterno and aluminum cans are recycled. In fact, approximately $500 worth of cans is recycled after each Rams football game or similar-sized Dome event. All cardboard is baled and recycled - totaling 100 bales per year - and all electric cords and Cat5 cables are recycled.
Energy Star® compliant monitors and computers are used by all of the center's electrical vendors, while audio-visual vendors use the more energy efficient LED lights for auxiliary stage lighting. In the facility's meeting rooms, occupancy sensors are being added to reduce energy usage, and the Executive Conference Center includes localized ventilation monitoring controls (CO2 sensors and controls) to avoid expensive energy use. The ECC also recycles cans and paper used by staff as well as clients, and Zoomer paper is used on both sides before being recycled.
America's Center and CVC staff members use paper that consists of 80 percent post-consumer fiber, and all business cards, stationery, envelopes and note cards are printed on Neenah Environment® paper. Environment is 100 percent post-consumer recycled, FSC-certified fibers, specialty fibers or 100 percent recycled with 30 percent post-consumer fiber. The brand features papers made entirely with Green-e Certified renewable energy.
Updated: May 19, 2008
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MEDIA NOTE: For more information or photography of St. Louis, send an e-mail to pr@explorestlouis.com or call Becky Sharp at 1-314-992-0652. For up-to-date information about St. Louis, your readers should call the St. Louis Convention & Visitors Commission at 1-800-916-0040 or check out our website at www.explorestlouis.com. This news release is also available in electronic form. To obtain an electronic version, e-mail your request to pr@explorestlouis.com or go to St. Louis’ online media center at www.explorestlouis.com/media.
