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2011 Greening the Conference

Each year, the Labs21 conference cosponsors, EPA, DOE, and I²SL, strive to make the Labs21 Annual Conference as green as possible and "walk the talk" of sustainability. We take this into account when searching for host cities, convention centers, hotels, and vendors, and select facilities and companies that share our commitment to sustainability.

The following are some of the ways in which we reduced the environmental impact of this year's event.

• Energy Reduction
• Sustainable Meals
• Waste Reduction
• Water Conservation
• Transportation Around Town
• What You Can Do to Make the Conference Greener
• Easy Ways to Reduce Your Travel Emissions

Energy Reduction

• Between 2003 and 2010, Labs21 purchased 436,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of renewable energy credits to offset carbon emissions resulting from Labs21 Annual Conferences. This total is equivalent to the carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from more than 35,000 gallons of gasoline consumed! This year, the planning committee acquired 70,000 kWh of renewable energy from Sterling Planet, which will support wind power nationwide. This amount of avoided CO₂ emissions compares to NOT driving 10 passenger cars for one year.
• At the conference hotel, the Westin Providence, dimmers on lights in public spaces allow natural lighting to be used as available. The heating, ventilating, and air conditioning system is also checked regularly to maintain efficiency.
• In times of low occupancy, the Westin Providence takes floors out of service and turns off both lights and air to save energy.
• The conference site, the Rhode Island Convention Center, uses variable speed drives on its mechanical equipment, including its chillers and water pumps, to save energy.
• The Rhode Island Convention Center also uses motion sensors and energy-efficient lighting in its 2,400-space parking garage, and motion sensors in its emergency stairwells.

Sustainable Meals

• Conference meals at the Rhode Island Convention Center were served primarily using reusable china and silverware; prepared using organic food products from local farmers and producers as much as possible; and served with condiments bought in bulk to reduce packaging waste.
• The Rhode Island Convention Center donates all leftover food fit for human consumption (as determined by the chef) to the Amos House, a nonprofit serving the homeless and poor of Rhode Island. All other food that can be is composted.
• All cooking oil from the Rhode Island Convention Center is recycled and turned into biodiesel.
• Attendees had access to water dispensing systems at both the host hotel and the Rhode Island Convention Center during the conference to minimize disposable water bottle use.

Waste Reduction

• The Rhode Island Convention Center provided recycling bins throughout the conference, and recycles in the back-of-house as well.
• The Westin Providence uses reusable materials whenever possible in place of disposable items, and recycles all glass, plastic, aluminum, and cardboard materials after use.
• The Westin Providence provides and recommends a paperless check in process.
• The Westin Providence reuses retired towels and linens as rags and cleaning cloths, and uses recycled paper materials as often as possible.

• The Technology and Services Fair utilized a range of waste-reducing techniques, including:

  • Carpet made from postconsumer recycled material.
  • Biodegradable trash bags and wastebaskets made from 100 percent recycled materials.
  • Recycled paper for signage.
  • Recycling of cardboard on the trade show floor.

• The conference was as paperless as possible:

  • Prior to the conference, the agenda and speaker abstracts were posted to the I²SL website instead of being distributed in hard copy format. Additionally, attendees received a copy of the attendee list via email instead of receiving a printed copy on site.
  • During the conference, hard copy handouts were limited to only necessary items, such as the conference program.
  • After the conference, speakers' presentations were posted to the I²SL website, and an evaluation was distributed electronically to attendees.

Water Conservation

• The Rhode Island Convention Center has automatic turn-off faucets in its restrooms.
• The Westin Providence has a green linen reuse program that washes linens in cold water and only on demand.

Transportation Around Town

• The Rhode Island Convention Center is within walking distance of theaters, art galleries, museums, and a range of restaurants. Attendees were encouraged to take advantage of this lively downtown by foot or public transit instead of renting a car.

  • Attendees could plan their outings in Providence using the Convention and Visitors Bureau's downtown map (1.8 MB, 1 pp).
  • The Providence Link Trolley offers transportation to many of the city's top attractions, and runs on compressed natural gas. Several bus routes also operate downtown and throughout Providence.

What Attendees Could Do to Make the Conference Greener

• Explore other travel options beyond flying to Providence, such as taking the train.

• Reuse your hotel linens and take quick showers to minimize water use.

• Tell the hotel to hold your daily newspaper if you don't plan to read it.
• Instruct housekeeping to replace your sheets only at the end of your stay.

• Turn off any lights, TVs, or computers in your hotel room when not in use.

• Be sure to reuse your water bottles and drink from the water stations instead of using disposable plastic bottles. You can bring your own water bottle and/or coffee mug from home to reduce waste on site.

• Turn in your name tag at the end of the conference, for reuse at next year's conference.

• Whenever possible, walk or carpool around town.

• Return any unused handouts to vendors or conference organizers to reuse or recycle.

Easy Ways to Reduce Your Travel Emissions

You, too, can be a part of Labs21's effort to reduce its environmental impact! Attendees were encouraged to consider alternatives to flying to the conference, and to check out the innovative programs listed below that offer great ways to reduce CO₂ emissions for everyday life and their trip to Labs21.

NativeEnergy

NativeEnergy uses the money donated to its program to help finance and support renewable energy projects such as wind farms and dairy farm methane digesters. Simply calculate your carbon footprint using an online calculator and pay your way to a better, cleaner environment.

Explore the NativeEnergy website for more information.

TerraPass

TerraPass's online calculator will determine your car's approximate CO₂ emissions. Based on that number, you can buy a TerraPass that ranges in price from $40 to $80. This money is used to support environmental initiatives that reduce industrial CO₂ emissions.

See the TerraPass website for more information.

Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF)

BEF's online calendar will determine the approximate carbon footprint of your flight or drive and allow you to buy a corresponding amount of dedicated funds to the development of renewable energy sources like solar power and wind farms to reduce carbon emissions.

See the Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF) website for more information.

 

 

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