Environment

Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design
LEED Silver Certification

The Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center (HBGCC) was awarded LEED Silver Certification in August 2017 for building design and building operation in the New Construction LEED Certification category. Points were assigned for sustainable site development, water efficiencies, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, and indoor environmental qualities.

Waste Reduction

• The HBGCC has been diverting various materials since 2006. Materials diverted include:
  • Cardboard
  • Polyurethane foam (carpet padding)
  • Scrap metal
  • Paper
  • Glass
  • Plastics
  • Aluminum
• Our facilities use comingle recycling compactors to divert waste from landfills
• Since July 2009 to March 2021 the total tonnage diverted from landfills exceeded 1719 tons
• Other items recycled by our business partners include telephones, cables/wires, and toner

Energy Conservation

• Convention Center staff practice stringent energy conservation. Lights, air conditioning, and escalators are kept at reduced or off settings when areas of the building are not in use
• The upgraded Building Control System allows for better scheduling of building systems
• Improved energy efficiencies include:
  • Upgraded lighting fixtures and ballasts
  • Solar Thermal window film
  • Improved HVAC components and control systems
• Dishwashers are used for glassware for head table water service
• Bottle filling stations are located within the building
• 100% of restroom faucets, soap dispensers and paper towel dispensers are battery free
• 100% of faucets, commodes, and urinals are low flow
• 100% of lighting in the expansion is energy efficient

Water Conservation

• Low Flow touchless automatic faucets and dual flush valves are installed in all restrooms
• Drought tolerant plants are used around the Convention Center

Green Purchasing

• Bags used for recycled items are made from 100% recyclable material
• 100% biodegradable bags are used for garbage
• Hand Towels and Toilet Paper are made from 100% recyclable material
• The majority of office supplies, custodial products, and cleaning supplies are eco-conscious; recycled copy paper is used
• Green cleaning chemicals are biodegradable, nontoxic, eco-friendly, and non-corroding

Other Practices

• City of San Antonio Bike Sharing Stations are located near the Convention Center
• The RK Culinary Group, our catering company, also contributes to our sustainability efforts:
  • As part of our expansion, the RK Group installed 2 Eco-Safe Digesters which use a high refined formula of microorganisms to decompose carbon based food waste into a non-toxic liquid that is safely disposed into standard wastewater disposal systems
  • Items that can be placed into the digesters include raw or cooked meat, poultry or fish, fruit, vegetables, rice, pasta, baked goods, grains, eggshells, dairy products, and coffee grounds
  • Disposables – as often as possible, disposable cups are replaced with reusable mugs and/or eco-friendly products. Disposable cutlery has been replaced with reusable silverware and/or cornstarch compostable items. Napkins have been replaced with cloth napkins and/or 100% recycled paper napkins
  • Coffee Filters – commercial coffee brewers are used that do not require filters. Liquid concentrate coffee is used and aluminum containers are recycled
  • Food Donations – any prepared food not served from convention meals (within established guidelines) is 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 per month
  • When available, locally grown purveyors or fair trade products are used, depending on seasonal allowances

Recent Additions

• LEED Certification for our East Wing
  • Outfitted with low water usage sinks, toilets and urinals
  • Motion sensor-controlled LED lighting
• Reusable water bottle filling stations
• Green Seal Certified cleaning chemicals
• The Convention Center will provide waste audits for specific events
  • Debris and recyclable materials will be gathered and weighed and a total provided at the end of the event
• The Convention Center continues to work towards reducing our carbon footprint by improving our recycling efforts during move-outs with client approval
  • We announce to exhibitors that we will accept items they do not want that they wish to donate
  • Staff will place large bins in a designated area to collect items. Once collected, items are used within our department or donated to other City departments or community groups
  • We will provide the location where each item was donated

City of San Antonio

Renewable Energy Offsets

• Through CPS Energy, the City has the ability to offer event planners an option of purchasing renewable energy. Windtricity is CPS Energy’s renewable energy program that enables your event to purchase clean, renewable power from West Texas and Coastal wind farms. Participation can range between 10% to 100%. If you’d like to learn more about Windtricity or enroll your event, please send an e-mail to productsandservices@cpsenergy.com.

SA Climate Ready Initiative

• The City of San Antonio has made a substantial commitment to mitigating and adapting to climate change via the Climate Action and Adaptation Plan. The overall goal of the city’s climate action plan is to reduce carbon emissions by 100% by 2050. Over 80 mitigation and adaptation strategies focus on the following categories:
  • Increase Carbon-Free Energy
  • Reduce Building Energy Consumption
  • Reduce Transportation Energy Consumption
  • Advance the Circular Economy
  • Promote Biodiversity and Healthy Ecosystems
  • Increase Infrastructure Resilience
  • Protect Local Food Security
  • Strengthen Public Health Systems

For more information pertaining to the SA Climate Ready initiatives, please go to sasustainability.com.