“GREENING” APWA CONGRESS
As primary caretakers for infrastructure, public works departments all over North America are finding new ways to ensure a better tomorrow. Following the lead of its members, APWA is excited to be stepping up its efforts to make the Best Show in Public Works an even “greener” event than previous years. In the last several years we started the mission to become greener by implementing the following:
- Online registration, saving paper.
- Printing on FSC-certified paper containing 30% recycled PCW that is made with 100% renewable energy
- Education sessions focused on green and sustainability issues (even more in 2008!).
In 2008, we will continue with these efforts and MORE!
- Going “almost” paperless! Speaker handouts will NOT be distributed onsite. Handouts sent to us prior to Congress will be available on the Congress website.
- Deploying a green procurement strategy to purchase registration bags, badges, and lanyards. Turn them back in to us onsite, and we’ll recycle them!
- Encouraging Convention Center and official hotels to implement waste reduction, energy and water conservation, and clean air practices.
- Educating exhibitors with tips and best practices on how to “exhibit green."
There are many more ways to make this a greener Congress; we’ll be exploring all that are feasible. Before you travel to New Orleans, take a few minutes to figure out your own personal carbon footprint. There are a number of websites that have calculators to assist you with this process. Working together we can all make a difference!
Our Solid Waste Management Committee has taken a leading role in this effort by drafting a resolution of support for the greening of this event. Here’s the letter of support from APWA’s Solid Waste Management Committee:
Dear APWA Friends and Colleagues,
By resolution, APWA’s Solid Waste Management Committee has gone on record in support of APWA’s efforts in making the Best Show in Public Works a “green” event. We consider APWA’s move to eliminate the huge volume of paper waste created by the duplication and onsite distribution of speaker handouts to be an important step in this process.
Due to the recovery and staffing issues faced by the New Orleans Convention Center and the waste management industry in the New Orleans area, paper and other recycling options do not yet exist in the vicinity. APWA understands the challenges being faced by New Orleans area solid waste professionals. However, this issue makes the elimination of excess paper onsite an even greater priority.
Please join us in supporting this important step in APWA’s ongoing goal to reduce the carbon footprint of Congress.
Thank You,
Marc Rogoff, Chair, SCS Engineers, Tampa, Florida
Keith Howard, Lee County, Florida
Ziad Mazboudi, City of San Juan Capistrano, California
Charles Jones, City of Reading, Pennsylvania
Cynthia Mitchell, Midwest Assistance Program, Columbia, Missouri
Richard Person, City of St. Paul, Minnesota
Green Exhibitors
Refer to the
Exhibitor list in the Congress program for companies that have green products & services and/or practices.
Speaker Handouts
In our continuing efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of our meetings and events, we're moving to an "almost paperless" Congress. Speaker handouts may be
downloaded here as they become available. They will be posted before, during and after Congress, so check back often for updates.
During Congress, you can visit the print stations outside the La Nouvelle Orleans Ballroom, and rooms 348-351 to print speaker handouts.
Click here to dowload convention center map.
