ACI Convention

Green Initiatives

The American Concrete Institute, the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, the Westin Convention Center Hotel, and the Omni William Penn Hotel all seek to reduce waste from meetings and events.

How can you help?

  • Return used name badge holders to the ACI Registration Desk at the end of the convention
  • E-mail committee meeting agendas and minutes to recipients
  • Post your session handouts online for attendees to view
  • Bring a reusable water bottle and fill it up at one of the water stations outside of the meeting rooms or the exhibit area (ACI uses mugs instead of paper cups in the office).
  • Reduce the amount of paper used for meetings and sessions by double-siding your copies or sending the material electronically in advance (ACI has reduced the number of flyers, e-mails and materials it prints. ACI recycles all paper in the office).
  • Recycle materials—including food waste—in venue receptacles as suggested
  • If staying at the Omni, consider walking to and from the Westin and Convention Center daily rather than taking the shuttle
  • ACI used 10% recycled paper for the Convention Preview
  • Donating foam core signs, cyber café computers, and leftover office supplies for repurposing
  • Reuse a bag or briefcase from a past convention or conference

David L. Lawrence Convention Center practices:

  • Operating their own gray water reclamation plant
  • Using natural fresh air to ventilate and cool the building
  • Using water cambros for fresh drinking water
  • Maintaining the highest waste diversion rate possible
  • Aggressively recycling all products
  • Monitors Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Carbon Monoxide (CO) and Nitrous Oxide (NO2) levels inside and out
  • Purchasing recyclable products and goods
  • Using indigenous plants for landscaping requiring only natural rainfall
  • Using aquifer water for makeup water in the cooling towers
  • Considering all natural resources for daily operations
  • Monitoring computer readings of thermostats, light sensors, air intakes and controllable systems
  • Using low- or no-volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in paints, carpeting, adhesives and sealants
  • Using environmentally friendly cleaning products with an automatic, green-certified dilution system
  • Using environmentally friendly office supplies
  • Donating leftover food
  • Using china and cloth whenever possible
  • Using biodegradable, compostable products including plates, flatware, and paperware
  • Purchasing from the "Buy Fresh, Buy Local" program
  • Composting unconsumed food and kitchen waste
  • Growing vegetables and herbs on the Center’s rooftop terrace

Westin Convention Center Hotel “green” practices:

  • Recycling cooking oil from hotel restaurants
  • Incorporating super foods into menu offerings while also eliminating trans fats from all food served
  • Maximizing efficiency and reduces unneeded energy consumption in all of the hotel’s kitchens
  • Using cloth napkins in banquets and restaurants
  • 100% paper recycling
  • Using Roselli silver tables, which reduce the need for linens and skirting
  • Reducing plastic water bottle consumption
  • Using electronic reader boards
  • Installing energy saving features in guest rooms by using the room key to operate lighting and air flow when a guest enters the room
  • Meeting room temperatures centrally controlled in accordance to meeting schedules
  • Switching to CFL light bulbs
  • Implementing company Six Sigma Energy Reduction Project to evaluate then reduce electrical usage
  • Encouraging guests to reuse linens and towels when they stay consecutive nights
  • Providing guests with the option to use only one showerhead from the dual heavenly shower head
  • Purchasing new energy efficient laundry machine that recycles 80% of the water used
  • Printing the Associate newsletter on 100% recycled paper
  • Participating in a recycling program with Pittsburgh Recycling to recycle cardboard, aluminum, metal, plastics, and paper

Omni Hotels green practices:

  • Being a “Styrofoam-free” environment
  • Providing recycling bins for daily newspapers and for other paper goods for customers
  • Recycling plastic, glass, and paper where recycling is readily available
  • Offering leftover and excess food items to local food banks and shelters
  • Reducing the use of paper within our organization
  • Considering local food purveyors when feasible to reduce the carbon footprint of the culinary options we offer
  • Using more energy-efficient laundry processes
  • Converting to more energy-efficient lighting options in targeted ways where the guest experience will not be diminished
  • Reminding associates to turn off unused lights and reduce HVAC usage
  • Encouraging staff to use mass transportation and carpooling options
  • Using more ecologically friendly laundry processes
  • Serving water only on request in restaurants and bars

General Exposition Services green practices:

  • Online exhibitor ordering to elimate the need for paper exhibitor kits and printing
  • Internal use of e-mails and filing on the computer to reduce the use of paper
  • Use of propane in our warehouse equipment to reduce fuel emissions
  • Cleaning and steaming our carpets rather than purchasing new (carpet is an oil-based product)
  • Recycling our plastics (table tops, visquene, etc.)