Savannah International Trade & Convention Center
Green Since: February 26, 2009
What We're Doing for the Environment:
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
- Facility Building Management System controls HVAC and public space lighting maximizing energy savings and conservation.
- Usage of plate frame heat exchanger conserves energy and negates large tonnage chiller usage at cooler outside temperature/humidity levels.
- Timed lighting system controls allow for lighting to be set at 25% for staff cleaning/set up efforts, 50% during event load-in and out, and 75-100% capacity only during event hours in occupied space.
- Back of house and administrative offices are regulated by motion sensor lighting systems.
- Variable frequency drives are installed on all pumps and motors reducing electrical demand on equipment and delivering only the power required to operate.
- Upgraded Variable Frequency Drive controls on secondary chilled water loop allows for greater efficiency for cooling the facility customized to clients needs.
- Abundant natural lighting in concourse and public space areas.
- System of facility blackouts (hard facility shutdowns, no staff present, all equipment powered down) and brownouts (domestic power on but all nonessential equipment powered down) that has served as the prototype for all 200 + SMG network facilities.
- 34% reduction in total kilowatt hours for the facility year over year from the period of CY 2008 to CY 2009, a reduction of 2.2 million kilowatt hours.
WATER CONSERVATION
- All facility toilets and urinals are automatic, low flush (water flow). Water savings translates to be 1,000 gallons if all were flushed simultaneously.
- All restroom sinks have motion detecting valves and valve orifices reducing the amount of water sent to the drain.
- Xeriscape of the landscape in Bryan Square to reduce water usage.
AIR QUALITY
- Heppa filters in vacuums used by housekeeping and operations departments.
- Premium pleated filters used on all facility air handlers.
- Building Management System regulates air quality in facility and performs carbon dioxide checks and reporting.
- ½ of all daily facility exterior security rounds are done in the form of bicycle or walking patrols in lieu of vehicular travel.
WASTE REDUCTION
- Recycling of plastic and glass bottles, aluminum/tin cans, paper and cardboard products in a co-mingled, single stream program throughout the entire facility.
- No compactor or supplemental charges to clients for recycled items.
- Recycling of used equipment batteries, oil, ballasts, light bulbs, and toner.
- Coreless, automatic sensor paper products utilized in restrooms to reduce waste.
MISCELLANEOUS
- Careful consideration and evaluation given to purchasing of green products when at all possible.
- Utilization of earth friendly lubricants and chemicals in all mechanical and water treatment systems.
- Green seal cleaning products utilized in housekeeping and eco-friendly paint used on upkeep of facility.
- EPA energy star office equipment purchased.
- All reports and documents are produced paperless whenever possible.
CATERING
- Active food donation program.
- Option given for china instead of paper products, local and organic meals, and bulk condiments.
- Plates and eating utensils made of 100% compostable and disposable materials.
- Water station options available versus utilizing water bottles and every meeting space equipped with water coolers in the room.
- Used frying oil is recycled and turned into animal feed and biodiesel.
- Use of certified sustainable fish and seafood.
- Use of natural grass fed beef when possible.
- Use antibiotics growth hormone and steroid free poultry when possible.
- Use organic fruits and vegetables when possible.
THE FUTURE
- Installing a practice of load shedding to reduce energy consumption at peak times.
- Upgrading 400, 600, and 1000-watt metal halide fixtures with T5 fluorescent and other energy efficient fluorescent and LED lighting.
- Gray water or rainwater collection for irrigation.
- Addition of ISO-E insulation to bottom side roofing decking.
- Roof mounted solar panels (utilizing peel and stick rolls of PV sensitive materials).
- Charcoal filters to replace premium filters in air handlers. Unlike pleated filters, charcoal filters can be recycled.
- A continued goal of 10% energy improvement or more every year.
- Expand our network of environmentally responsible vendors and suppliers.
- Work with clients/meeting planners to make the greening of their conferences/meetings attainable for any conference/meeting.
- Upgrading of Ballroom lighting control system to reduce energy and improve maximum efficiency of lighting.
- Adding cardboard baling system for increased waste recycling efforts.
