The Hawai‘i Convention Center hosted its first-ever zero-waste event – the Pacific Building Trade Expo, on Oct. 1, 2019, helping divert 1,283 pounds of waste from the landfill.
The Center worked with the Pacific Building Trade Expo to organize the zero-waste efforts. This included reducing, reusing, sorting and recycling, as well as sending items to H-POWER, the Honolulu Program of Waste Energy Recovery.
Zero waste is a philosophy and a design principle that takes a whole system approach to resources and waste. It reduces consumption, minimizes waste, maximizes recycling and composting, and ensures that products are made to be reused, repaired or recycled back into nature or the marketplace.
The Center has long offered waste-reduction services to ensure that unneeded or lightly used items are recycled or donated for reuse. In 2018, the Center achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification under its Hoʻomaluō conservation program. This program helps the Center continue its leadership in environmental best practices, including energy consumption, water use and waste diversion.
“The Hawai‘i Convention Center continues to implement industry-leading best practices that will reduce the environmental impact of our meetings and events,” said Teri Orton, general manager of the Hawai‘i Convention Center, managed by ASM Global. “This multi-faceted effort was the result of months of planning by staff, event organizers and volunteers, and we are extremely pleased with the results. Not only are we reducing the amount of waste sent to the landfill, thereby cutting air, soil, and water pollution, but we are also recovering valuable resources that can be repurposed for other uses. This will serve as a springboard for future zero-waste events.”
Efforts for the Pacific Building Trade Expo event included:
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Six staffed waste stations in the Exhibition Hall, which each consisted of five separate bins for diverting waste, compost, paper, bottles and cans, and litter and liquids.
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A sorting station, where materials from each bag were separated and weighed.
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All plates, utensils, cups and napkins used were made of compostable materials.
A total of 1,283 pounds of waste was generated at the event, and 1,175 pounds (or more than 91 percent) was recycled, reused, or sorted for composting. The remaining 108 pounds was sent to H-POWER, which consisted primarily of non-recyclable plastic such as plastic wrap, miscellaneous foam and items such candy wrappers and outside coffee cups. No waste was sent to the landfill. The Center also captured more than 32 pounds of liquid, as guests poured any remaining liquid into a separate bin prior to disposing of their cup. Food waste accounted for 13 percent of the total waste generated.
About the Hawai‘i Convention Center
“Where Business and Aloha Meet,” the 1.1 million-square-foot Hawai‘i Convention Center provides a spacious, modern and flexible meeting space in the heart of Honolulu – all with an award-winning team and renowned aloha spirit. Conveniently located between East and West, the Center is a global leader for a diverse array of meetings and events, just steps from 30,000 hotel rooms in iconic Waikiki. The Center is a state-owned facility opened in 1998, and is managed by ASM Global. For more, visit HawaiiConvention.com.
About ASM Global
ASM Global was formed from the merger of AEG Facilities and SMG in October 2019, creating a venue management powerhouse that spans five continents, 14 countries and more than 300 of the world’s most prestigious arenas, stadiums, convention and exhibit centers, and performing arts venues. To learn more about ASM Global and the exciting new ways we can serve you, visit ASMGlobal.com.
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