Food Services of America recycled 81 percent of its waste at a recent show at the Oregon Convention Center. Persistence as the industry leader in sustainability continues to pay off in dividends for the Oregon Convention Center. Now its clients understand the value too.
Since the OCC began its pursuit and achievement of LEED-EB (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design - Existing Buildings category) certification nearly ten years ago, diverting waste generated from conventions and events became a high priority for facility staff. Each year the OCC’s diversion rates have increased considerably, keeping garbage out of area landfills and cutting waste disposal costs by roughly half.
While waste diversion efforts are now a common routine for OCC staff, to some convention, meeting and event planner clients, the concept of recycling, reusing and minimizing front-end use of show materials remains a daunting and misunderstood concept. Fortunately, that is changing, thanks to the efforts of the OCC to educate its visitors and clients about the far-reaching cost savings and environmental benefits of diverting waste.
Some clients of note have fully embraced it.
Consider the Food Services of America (FSA) corporation. At its recent Universal Food Show held at OCC earlier this month, FSA event planners established a laudable waste diversion goal rarely seen in the convention and meeting industry: achieve zero waste.
Diverting 100% of all show materials is an ambitious goal for any show. In a food show, it is extraordinary. By design, a wide variety of waste is generated - from food samples to packaging – requiring education and training of vendors and participants on how to separate recyclables. Yet, the FSA event planners were committed to meeting their target. By collaborating with the OCC and its material recovery contractor, Recology, a diversion rate of 81% was achieved.
Not zero waste, but still commendable when one considers that out of 6,000 pounds of materials, nearly 5,000 was diverted through concerted efforts to donate, compost and recycle. Even better, the FSA is set on meeting its goal of zero waste next year. Whether they achieve that goal or increase the diversion rate beyond 81%, the OCC considers their efforts a huge success, for profits, people and planet.