Green Mission Statement
The Georgia World Congress Center Authority, which includes the Georgia World Congress Center, Georgia Dome and Centennial Olympic Park, is committed to implementing sustainable practices in pursuit of environmental responsibility. Partnering with our customers in this endeavor, we acknowledge the tremendous impact our industry can have on the environment—either positive or negative—and choose to continually work towards a positive difference. We take the responsibility of maintaining our 200-acre campus for the citizens of Georgia seriously and adopt environmental stewardship as the best way to preserve these facilities as great economic assets to our community. With an ongoing evaluation of our current needs and how they will effect future generations, we strive to ever-increase our green practices and initiatives. The mission of the Georgia World Congress Center Authority is to enhance the overall quality of life for every Georgian, and by choosing environmental responsibility as our standard operating procedure, these facilities will enhance the quality of life for generations of Georgians. 

Recent Green Initiatives at the Georgia World Congress Center
Atlanta, GA (March 2009) - For the past few years, the Georgia World Congress Center has been working to adopt sustainable practices for the 3.9 million square foot facility. A few recent initiatives include specific projects with customers, donating to the local food bank, education of employees, extending recycling efforts, placing water coolers in meeting rooms, purchasing green products and renovations to the building.

• Working with the Customer - The Georgia World Congress Center has worked closely with customers to meet their specific green needs. Examples include providing composting for MGX, arranging for an onsite baler for SuperCorr and partnering with International Woodworking Fair’s initiative to have an onsite hopper-fed shredder.  
• Food Bank – The Georgia World Congress Center and Levy Restaurants, the center’s exclusive caterer, work closely with the Atlanta Community Food Bank to ensure left over food and supplies from events do not go to waste. Over 30,000 lbs. of food were donated in FY2008.
• Internal Education – The Georgia World Congress Center recognizes the importance of educating staff in order to ensure that sustainability practices are adopted campus-wide. Employees are currently participating in a four-part workshop series called Growing Green. The internal campus newsletter, which is distributed twice a month, contains green facts and tips in each issue and a green reference library for employees is under development.
• Recycling – An increased emphasis has been placed on recycling during the past year. During just the last three months of 2008, over 19,700 lbs. of waste were diverted from the landfill via recycling efforts. A baler is now on site for recycling corrugated board and new, permanent recycling containers for the common areas of the building have been purchased.
• Water Coolers – Each of the 106 meeting rooms at the Georgia World Congress Center now has a spring water cooler. This initiative will greatly reduce the amount of plastic bottles consumed on site, therefore minimizing waste.  
• Purchasing – As current inventories are depleted, the Georgia World Congress Center and Levy Restaurants are purchasing green supplies. Examples include exclusively purchasing green cleaning chemicals and recyclable or compostable containers for serving food in the employee cafeteria.
• Building A Renovations – Recent renovations to Building A include new ceiling tiles, safety glass, roofs, air handling units and escalators will make Building A much more energy efficient.
• Composting – The GWCC and Levy Restaurants have partnered with Closed Loop Organics for composting food waste at the convention center.

GWCCA Green Facts

Air Quality

• Outside air ventilation is mixed into the return air.
• The GWCC is a non-smoking building.
• Carbon Dioxide sensors are in the exhibit halls.
• Carpet is 80 percent wool, 20 percent nylon, meeting the Carpet & Rug Institute's (CRI) Indoor Air Quality criteria.

Energy Efficiency

• During move-in & move-out in the exhibit halls only half-lights are used and HVAC is reduced.
• Portions of the facility are closed down when not in use, by turning off escalators and lights.
• HVAC is regulated in areas of the building not in use.
• Windows have high E-rating.
• Building C's energy efficient plant (chillers and boilers) is used to cool & heat Buildings A, B & C. New towers in Building A are energy efficient.
• Temperature is monitored at higher set points, in order to reduce energy consumption.
• Florescent and metal halide lighting are used for longer life and efficient energy consumption.
• Renovations in Building A & B include energy efficient ceiling tiles, safety glass and lighting.

Environmental Purchases

• Low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) adhesives are used.
• Water based paints are used.
• The veneer on the meeting room doors and surrounding the Georgia Ballroom was cut from a managed forest.
• Linoleum is used in service corridors and auditoriums.
• Ceiling tiles in the meeting rooms are sustainable to the environment.

Waste Minimization

• Pallets and cardboard are recycled.
• Left-over food is donated to the local food bank.
• Over 30,000 lbs. of food were donated in FY2008.     
• Tools and supplies left over from events are donated to local food bank and Habitat for Humanity.
• Paper, plastic, glass and aluminum are recycled from all internal offices.
• Juice, tea and coffee are served in pitchers.
• China service is available for any event.

Internal Practices

• Paper, plastic, glass, aluminum and cardboard recycling.
• Employee Education: Growing Green Workshops and  weekly green messaging.
• Green Team meets several times per month.
• Recycled paper is used in offices.
• Campus maps printed on recycled paper certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.
• Collateral materials printed on post-consumer waste fibers.
• Ballroom lighting stays on only one hour (on timers) for site visits.
• Bike racks & proximity to MARTA promote green friendly ways to get to work as well as internal promotion of the Clean Air Campaign.
• State-of-the-art controls system is used for lighting, HVAC, fire protection and security.
• The West Plaza and International Plaza incorporate a green space over a parking deck.

Water Conservation

• 8% less consumed in 2008 than 2007 and 14% less consumed in 2007 than 2006.
• Water aerators have been installed on sinks and low flow devices on the toilets and urinals to reduce water consumption.
• Gray water usage: left-over water from meetings is used to water plants and un-used ice is recaptured after major events.