Views from Around HBGCC

Green Initiatives

We are committed to enhancing our sustainable practices at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, with our primary goal being to reduce our carbon impact on the environment while being the best stewards we can be with our resources. Our current green initiatives include:

WASTE REDUCTION

The HBGCC has been diverting the following items since 2006:

  • Cardboard (a strict cardboard recycling policy is in effect for all decorators/contractors. The recycling compactors are easily accessed and clearly marked. Any vendor found placing cardboard in the trash dumpster is notified of the violation and asked to comply.)
  • Polyurethane foam (carpet padding)
  • Wooden pallets
  • Scrap metal
  • Paper
  • Glass (such as juice, water or soft drink bottles labeled with a code of 1 or 2)
  • Plastic (such as water & soft drink bottles labeled with a recycling code of 1 or 2)
  • Aluminum - In 2009 we invested $118 thousand dollars in new recycling containers and other program enhancements including 2 new single stream recycling compactors.
  • From July 2009 to December 2011 the total tonnage diverted from landfill exceeded 242 tons

Other Items recycled by our business partners include:

  • Telephones (Smart City)
  • Cables and wire (Smart City)
  • Toner cartridges (UPS Store)

ENERGY CONSERVATION

Convention Center staff practices stringent energy conservation. Lights, air conditioning, escalators are kept at reduced or off settings when areas of the building are not in use. Upgraded the building controls system allowing for better scheduling of building systems

The department has executed a Performance Contracting initiative. This initiative is utilizing expert recommendations to help the Convention Center maximize its conservation efforts and realize savings that come with system efficiencies. The initial energy audit was completed in early 2010 and the implementation phase completed in October 2011. Items installed to improve our energy efficiencies include.

  • Upgraded lighting fixtures and ballasts
  • Solar thermal window film
  • Improved HVAC components and control systems
  • Solar thermal domestic hot water

Ultimate goals are to:

  • Reduced electrical consumption of the building by 35%
  • Obtain future LEED certification

WATER CONSERVATION

Low-flow touch-less automatic faucets and dual flush valves have been installed in all restrooms + Drought tolerant plants are used around the convention center

GREEN PURCHASING

Recycled garbage bags (100% recycled material) + Toilet paper and hand towels (recycled material) + Micro fiber mop heads (these mop heads can be washed and reused) + Recycled copy paper is used + Green cleaning chemicals (biodegradable, non-toxic, eco-friendly and non-corroding)

OTHER PRACTICES

  • Meeting planner(s) can arrange to utilize composting bins. Requires partnership with our caterer (The RK Group) to ensure food waste is properly segmented.
  • Other recycling practices and opportunities with our caterer include:

Disposables – as often as possible, disposable cups will be replaced with reusable mugs and/or eco-friendly products. Disposable cutlery will be replaced with reusable silverware and/or cornstarch compostables. Napkins will be replaced with cloth napkins and/or 100% recycled paper napkins + Coffee Filters – we use commercial coffee brewers that do not use filters. Liquid concentrate coffee is used and aluminum containers are recycled + Food Donations – any prepared food not served from convention meals (within established guidelines) will be donated to local food banks for distribution to those less fortunate. Food donations are provided to Daily Bread Ministries and the San Antonio Food Bank, with an average of 1000 meals a month + When available, we will use locally grown purveyors or fair trade products, depending on seasonal allowances + Member of the Convene Green Alliance

CITY OF SAN ANTONIO

  • The City of San Antonio has made a substantial commitment to the greening of our community via the Mission Verde Initiative. This initiative is taking a holistic approach to sustainability by creating the following programs:

Build a 21st Century urban energy infrastructure in San Antonio + Create a multi-tech venture capital fund in San Antonio + Create a Green Jobs program + Adopt a green, high performance building code for new residential and commercial construction + Build a Green Retrofit Program for existing homes and buildings + Create an integrated efficient multi-modal transportation system for San Antonio + Municipal Facility Tree Planting + Employee Sustainability Education Program

For more information pertaining to the City’s Mission Verde initiative, please go to http://www.sanantonio.gov/oep/center.asp#Sustainability

Download the CSEF Recycling Program Overview (pdf)